In today’s technologically advanced culture, it’s no surprise that technology is appearing in full force on dairy farms. Just a few decades ago, the idea of robotic milkers and computerized feeding systems was unbelievable. So, who would have thought that in 2010 cows could have their very own Twitter account? Well, a herd of Canadian Holsteins are, in fact, tweeting daily. Yep, you read that correctly — cows are now tweeting.

The farm, located just southwest of Toronto, has a robotic milker in place that allows cows to be milked multiple times a day – on their own schedule. The cows are equipped with their own neck collars that are read every time they come in contact with the robotic milker, telling the farm manager how much milk they are giving, as well as how often they have been milked that day.  This is a normal procedure for robotic milking setups, but the unique thing about this farm is that every time the robot reads a cow’s neck collar, the cows tweet on their own Twitter accounts!

The project was launched in December 2009 by the University of Waterloo in Canada. The tweets are a reflection of typical daily occurrences on a dairy, but in an entertaining way to help educate consumers through social media on the technical and day-to-day events on a dairy farm. 

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As anyone in the agricultural industry knows, the consumer is often several layers removed from the real agricultural industry, including the many family farmers who are passionate for their land and animals. And many of the general population, unfortunately, may also be naïve to the need for large-scale agriculture to help feed the world’s growing population — the author cites that “over the next 40 years the world will be adding some 3 billion people.”

This article helps demonstrate that the American agricultural industry will continue to feed the world through the successful melding of large-scale corporate farms and small-scale family-owned operations. However, much work is needed to advocate for the preservation of agriculture. 

Laurie’s grandpa, Bob Peterson, watches over the family farm

The article made me wonder what lessons my parents and brother learned last year managing their 350-acre, 100-head dairy farm in west central Wisconsin. They had a tough year, but are somehow weathering the storm and making it through.

During my trip home for the holidays, my 85-year-old grandfather stopped by for his morning coffee and daily discussion of the farm happenings. He reminded me that it is important to remember the family heritage, hard work and dedication that make our farm what it is today, and, hopefully, what will keep it operating for generations to come.

Persevering through hard times
My dad, like dairy farmers everywhere, forges into each day — snow, sleet, wind or hail — knowing that the farm, the cows and the fields are his legacy, pride and business. He takes with him the lessons learned, experiences had and memories made over the last several decades, and applies them to the financial struggles, sick calves and frozen pipes facing him today.

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