Cisco, in collaboration with its partners Rhône Élevage, NXO, and Ineso, has developed an innovative solution for dairy farmers to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures due to climate change. This solution has the potential to benefit not only French farmers but also farmers across Europe.
A vital industry for society, now facing the challenge of climate change
The dairy industry plays a crucial role in the daily lives of millions of people worldwide, making it an indispensable part of the global food system. However, dairy cows are particularly sensitive to heat stress, which can significantly reduce milk production. Studies have shown that milk production can decrease by up to 25% when temperatures exceed 24°C (75°F). Heat stress also weakens their immune systems, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. These issues result in losses for the entire industry and have a greater impact on society, which relies extensively on dairy products for nutrition, economic stability, culture, and health.
A challenge accepted by Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program
In France, a country renowned for the high quality of its dairy products, farmers are experiencing the same climate change-related challenges as the rest of the world. To address these issues, Cisco and its partners Rhône Élevage, NXO, and Ineso have developed a digital solution aimed at:
- Improving milk production
- Preserving cows’ health
- Creating a data repository for future improvements
To better understand how this works, it is essentials to understand the flow of the project. The process begins with Ineso’s employees installing sensors on farms to monitor seven critical data points: temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, brightness, movement, particulate matter, and more. Cisco and NXO then provide the digital infrastructure to wirelessly transmit the data to the Ineso platform, facilitated by a partnership with Actility, which ensures a secure, reliable, and energy-efficient network. The collected data is analyzed by Rhône Élevage, who constructs a Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) indicator to assess cow heat stress. Based on this information, Rhône Élevage offers tailored solutions to farmers, such as wall modifications, roof insulation, and additional ventilation, to alleviate animal stress. Farmers also receive real-time alerts when the THI indicator reaches critical levels, allowing them to take immediate action.
What was the impact on milk production so far
In terms of production, the solution has proven valuable results. After one year, more than 50 farmers and 2,650 cows in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes have benefited from the project and Farmers reported a 15-20% increase in revenue, along with significant mid-term improvements in the well-being of the monitored cows. Notably, there has been a 10% decrease in infectious diseases among the cows, which has further enhanced productivity.
Happy pastures. Happy cows.
Looking ahead to 2025, the goal is to create comprehensive databases, correlate data, and generate insights using AI to build the Innovalait ecosystem. This will enable the team to scale the solution and bring value to hundreds of thousands of cows across Europe.
As climate change continues to pose challenges to the dairy industry, innovative solutions like the one developed by Rhône Élevage, Cisco, NXO, and Ineso offer a promising way forward. By combining digital technology with more sustainable farming practices, we can help contribute to a healthier future for both dairy cows and the industry
About Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration Program
Cisco’s CDA program aims to stimulate global digitization. Currently, Cisco is working with national, state, and local governments in 50 countries around the world to accelerate their national digitization agendas, co-develop cutting-edge solutions, and deliver beneficial services to their citizens more effectively. Cisco’s CDA programs have supported the creation of net new jobs, promoted GDP growth, and helped nurture innovation ecosystems.
Visit CDA on Cisco.com to learn more!
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