Semiautomated milking technology captured the attention of dairy producers awarding this year’s Nexus Innovation Awards. The new technology from GEA improves upon and brings the fully automated teat preparation common in box-style milking robots to parallel parlors.

SenseHub Dairy Youngstock monitoring technology from Merck Animal Health tracks calves from birth and flashes an indicator light when activity, rumination, eating or other behaviors deviate from the baseline. The same eartag can also continue tracking behaviors throughout the animal’s entire life.

Administering cows an innovative technology in bolus form at dry-off has been shown to decrease milk production 50% to 60% in the first 24 hours after dry-off. Research on the new product – StopLac from AHV – shows it also doesn’t negatively impact the health of the cow or milk production in her next lactation.

Butter busts of cows, dairy princesses or other prominent regional figures often populate state fairs across the country. Spectators “ooo” and “ahh” at artists’ hard work, displayed in a large, cooled glass case. For many, it’s a cool sculpture. To Hailey Whitters, 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards New Female Artist of the Year, it became inspiration.