A Particular Practice

While on a buffalo farm, we learned about many aspects of buffalo production versus a cattle production like I am used to. In buffalos, there is not much use for a bull/steer and a heifer/cow has a slower growth period. 

These facts were not the only thing that intrigued me though. The thing that was most intriguing to me about the production was the use of artificial intelligence in the milking process of the buffalo. At this farm, it was approached very holistically. The buffalos chose when it was time to milk themselves through a process of chip identification that tracked the last time the buffalo had milked. If it hadn’t milked all day, it was sent to a robotic arm that milked and sent the buffalo on its way to eat. 

As I approach my honors thesis, I am intrigued by the use of AI in production. Seeing Italy’s approach to integrating technology into production was insightful as to how it can increase production and/or mitigate stresses on an agricultural producer. 

Analyzing how these technologies can be used as well as the challenges producers may face is a topic that needs to be addressed. Accessing this new concept with data and thoughts from multiple cultures and countries can be beneficial in maximizing the integration of a future production style.