Abstract #120

# 120
Incorporating technologies in nutrition and transition management.
E. A. Eckelkamp*1, J. M. Bewley2, 1University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, 2CowFocused Housing, Bardstown, KY.

Precision dairy technology is being incorporated in several areas related to nutrition, ration management, and even health disorders. Through automation, feeding consistency can be assured through feed kitchens, in-line ration analysis, and individualized feeding programs. Continuous access to feed can be accomplished with automated feed pushers. Fresh, individualized group rations can also be provided through monitoring the feed-way. Automated milking systems (AMS) have incorporated the benefits of electronic stand-alone feeders with milking information. This allows producers to manage based on production, ramping cows up at the start of lactation and down toward dry-off. In the future, producers may be able to incorporate other information, such as automated body condition scoring, to better inform ration decisions. Incorporation of all of these technologies could result in a completely autonomous system. The result being a single producer could coordinate rations specialized for several groups. Some technology companies are already embracing coordinated technology. A producer can purchase a technology with a TMR mixer on top with a feed pusher on the bottom. The technology also incorporates a laser-sight to determine when new feed is needed, and an interface with a feed arm for forages incorporated into a PMR. The forage fed complements the pellet fed through either an AMS or standalone electronic feeder. Automated milking systems may incorporate electroconductivity and SCC. Some AMS also incorporate β-hydroxybutyrate for in-line hyperketonemia monitoring. Wearable technologies can currently measure rumination time and eating time, allowing producers to monitor individual cows. Wearable technologies can also identify changes in behavior to detect or predict hyperketonemia, hypocalcemia, and metritis. Future directions may include incorporating machine-learning techniques to narrow the window of detection to 24 h before an event and create disease-specific alerts. The future is full of possibility for nutrition and disease management.

Key Words: precision dairy technology, precision farming, automated systems

Speaker Bio
Elizabeth Eckelkamp grew up in the South, from Texas to New Mexico and Louisiana. She began her dairy career as a freshman at Louisiana State University working at the university dairy feeding calves, milking cows, and participating in research projects. Participating in research at LSU led her to pursue an MS degree at the University of Kentucky. Throughout her MS and PhD, she focused on applied research with dairy farmers throughout the state. She studied the effects of freestall and compost bedded back barn housing on dairy cattle health and milk quality. From there, she transitioned into her PhD, focusing on how farmers incorporated precision dairy technologies for health detection into their operations. Her MS and PhD allowed her to work closely with dairy farmers and extension personnel. From her studies and experiences with farmers, she has learned to take a whole-systems approach when dealing with dairy questions or pursuing research interests. Specifically, she focuses on providing applied research for farmers to improve their operations.