Real-time data for efficiency and health
The history of agriculture has been shaped by advances in technology, beginning with the introduction of modern machinery, which significantly improved farming efficiencies, alleviating challenges such as shortages in skilled labour.
Today, agricultural technology, also known as ag-tech, is experiencing an exciting transformation, with innovations such as driverless tractors and advanced biotechnology pushing the boundaries further. Recent years have seen a surge in new technologies and an increase in their use.
The term ag-tech covers a wide range of areas in the agricultural industry, including innovations in crop and soil management, livestock management, and indoor vertical farming. Ag-tech also provides data insights which offer improvements in yield, efficiency and profitability, and which also drive environmental sustainability and food security.
Alltech places a high emphasis on ag-tech, using global research and network collaborations with industry partners, top universities and research institutions to stay ahead of industry trends and bring the latest advancements to farmers in Ireland and worldwide.
Ireland’s role in ag-tech
This year has been challenging in Ireland, with a long winter followed by the sixth-wettest spring on record. These conditions have highlighted the need for advanced ag-tech. Ireland is ready to meet that need. In fact, it is already emerging as a significant player in the ag-tech sector, leveraging its strong agricultural roots, noted research institutions, and forward-thinking government policies. Ireland’s commitment to innovation is also driving the adoption of these ag-tech solutions, taking them from the lab to the farm.
The InTouch system
One solution gaining ground in Ireland and beyond is Alltech’s feed-management and on-farm nutrition system, InTouch, which uses real-time data to optimise feed efficiency and animal health.
The InTouch system, in combination with the technology of Keenan diet feeders, ensures consistent feeding, aiding in dry matter intake, reducing waste, and optimising performance. Expert agricultural advisors, both at the InTouch hub and on-farm as needed, are available to monitor and advise on feeding operations. If there is a drop in animal performance, an advisor can quickly assess the problem, reformulate the ration, and submit an update to the InTouch system, which will automatically and immediately make the change.
With a current customer base of over 600 farmers, InTouch has demonstrated, again and again, the on-farm benefits of optimising feed formulations to meet animal nutritional needs efficiently – and farmers are impressed with its ease of use, including the user-friendly InTouch dashboard and the new app that allows users to easily connect to the system from their tablet or smartphone.
Reliable, expert support
Dairy farmer, John Roche, has been using InTouch for over 10 years. He incorporates InTouch on his farm with Alltech dry cow minerals and Mycosorb. Access to the Keenan diet feeder and the InTouch controller and nutrition service, all supported by advice from InTouch feeding specialist Emma Swan, has improved his overall farm efficiency and profitability.
“InTouch takes the variability out of farming during a time of volatility, with milk price and high input costs,” he says. “Having Emma at the end of the phone when we want to change diets is invaluable, and the consistency of the diet when using Intouch is second to none.”
John adds that nutritionist support has provided ‘clarity and peace of mind’ when managing budgets and cost efficiency. “Emma will sit down and go through the cost of feed for the winter, rather than buying ingredients/feed for the sake of it,” he says.