- Sainsbury’s is the world’s first retailer to deploy technology using artificial intelligence on its dairy farms.
- The purpose of the technology is to monitor the welfare of cows, detecting abnormal behavior, reduced comfort or disease.
- The software gives farmers guidance on possible changes and allows them to monitor their impact on animal welfare.
- The result is expected to be not only improved cow comfort, but also increased milk yield and reduced expenses for feed or veterinary care.
Sainsbury’s the world’s first retailer with dairy AI technology
Sainsbury’s is a hypermarket chain in the UK and a manufacturer of retail items. It is the first retailer in the world to invest in AI technology applied to dairy farms. The aim of the technology is to identify animal welfare levels. The wellbeing of cows translates into higher milk yields for the same amount of feed. The first results of the implementation of this technology by 30 Sainsbury’s farms are already visible, and there are plans to extend it further to Dairy Development Group farms.
How does AI technology work and what benefits does it bring to cattle farming?
The technology implemented by Sainsbury’s has been developed by Vet Vision AI. Previously, technology has been used to detect animal disease, but this solution measures overall animal welfare and suggests potential improvements that could lead to better welfare. The technology uses portable cameras to monitor cows without disturbing them and software to analyse the footage in real time, recognising behavioural patterns and converting them into output. This makes it possible to monitor cow development, detect diseases early, assess their welfare and wellbeing.
The data presented allows for more informed decision-making by farmers and a better understanding of the animals. This can also be helped by tips given by the app, suggesting, for example, improvements to the buildings for greater animal comfort and activity, such as the purchase of accessories such as mattresses or brushes for the cows, as well as management suggestions, such as extending the cow’s lying time. Thanks to technology, it is also possible to monitor the effects of implemented changes.
