Changes in milk composition may serve as an early warning sign, even before a drop in milk yield

Many dairy farms today monitor milk yields, but milk volume alone is no longer enough. Farmers are increasingly looking for ways to see what is happening in the herd in real time: how cows are responding to changes in their diet, whether any health issues are arising, and whether feed is being utilised efficiently. According to farm equipment specialists at “Dotnuva Baltic”, it is precisely the milk composition indicators that often allow changes to be spotted before they become apparent in the farm’s financial results.

“Farmers often focus primarily on milk yield, but the fat, protein and lactose levels can reveal much more. In practice, we see that changes in milk composition often signal problems with feeding, metabolism or health even before milk yields begin to fall,” – says Sandra Karaliūtė, Product Manager at “Dotnuva Baltic”.

Decision-making requires data, not guesswork

When implementing farm equipment projects, from design right through to the full installation of the facility, the “Dotnuva Baltic” team has observed that data-driven decisions are becoming increasingly important on modern dairy farms.

Previously, milk composition analysis was usually carried out periodically, so between tests farmers could only see the overall picture. Today, technology allows these indicators to be monitored continuously and enables a swift response to changes.

“When a farmer changes the composition of the feed or adjusts the ration, it is natural to want to assess the result as quickly as possible. Continuous monitoring of milk composition allows trends to be identified on a virtually daily basis and decisions to be made based on facts rather than gut feeling“, notes the specialist.

One analyser for the whole herd

One of the solutions that helps to continuously monitor key milk quality indicators is the BROLIS | HerdLine milk line analyser offered by “Dotnuva Baltic”. A sensor integrated into the milk line measures the fat, protein and lactose levels of the entire herd’s milk, enabling farmers to continuously monitor changes in milk composition and spot trends relating to herd feeding or productivity more quickly.

The collected data is automatically transmitted to an online platform, which can be accessed via both a computer and a smartphone. In this way, information on the overall milk composition of the herd becomes available in real time, regardless of whether the farmer is on the farm or away from it. According to experts, the ability to monitor these indicators continuously helps to assess the impact of changes to the feed ration more quickly, make informed decisions and manage dairy farm processes more effectively.

Suitable not only for robotic farms

According to Sandra Karaliūtė, a farm equipment and products specialist at “Dotnuva Baltic”, the prevailing view is still that smart milk monitoring solutions are intended solely for robotic farms. However, practice shows otherwise.

“Some farmers are surprised to learn that such an analyser can also be integrated into existing traditional milking parlours. This does not require replacing the entire milking system or investing in robots“, says the specialist.

According to her, remotely accessible data enables more effective collaboration with feeding specialists, vets and other consultants, and decisions are based not on assumptions but on real indicators. “We can see that farmers today are looking not only for technology, but also for solutions that would help them better understand the processes on the farm. Real-time monitoring of milk composition is becoming an essential part of modern farm management,” summarises Sandra Karaliūtė.

The farm equipment specialists at UAB “Dotnuva Baltic” provide professional consultations and advise on which solution is best suited to individual dairy farms. Contact details for enquiries: +370 627 77449, sandra.karaliute@dotnuvabaltic.lt