Revolutionizing Dairy Farming: Drone-based Heat Stress Solutions in Miyagi Prefecture

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Desamis Corporation and the Miyagi Prefectural Dairy Farming Cooperative have initiated an innovative project aimed at combating heat stress in dairy farming using drones. With climate change leading to increasingly extreme weather conditions, ensuring a stable milk production rate during hot summer months has become a pressing issue in Miyagi's dairy farms. This model project, known as the Emergency Verification Project on Heat Stress Countermeasures for Dairy Facilities, involves drone operations at six local dairy farms, marking a significant step in modernizing dairy farming practices.

Purpose of the Project

Recent abnormal weather has caused severe drops in milk production within Miyagi’s dairy farms, presenting a critical challenge for local farmers. In response, the Miyagi Dairy Cooperative launched this project to reinforce heat stress countermeasures, helping its member farmers maintain sustainable operations. The initiative involves applying a durable heat-insulating coating to the roofs of barns using drones, effectively reducing indoor temperatures and mitigating the decline in milk production during summer. Improving reproductive performance is also part of the objective.

Efficient Heat Stress Solutions with Drones

Prior to applying the heat-insulating agent, thorough cleaning of the roof surface is essential. This cleaning maximizes adhesion and insulating performance, thereby extending the lifespan of the materials used. Traditionally, roof cleaning and application of insulating agents required scaffolding for high-altitude work, presenting safety risks and inefficiencies for workers, as well as extended project timelines and increased costs.

To address these challenges, Desamis has formed a strategic partnership with Skycode Corporation, renowned for developing the Flying High-pressure Washer™. This service leverages drones to perform both cleaning and application of heat-insulating agents, eliminating the need for scaffolding and enabling safe, contactless operations. This approach also allows for work in difficult-to-access areas, thereby improving the work environment, and aiming to resolve various challenges faced by the livestock industry. By combining site-specific heat stress countermeasures, the project supports sustainable dairy farming practices.

Collaborating with U-motion® for Verifying Insulating Effects

Post-application, the changes in cow feeding time and behavior can be monitored using U-motion®, a system that tracks cow activities through sensors 24/7 and analyzes data using AI. This capability allows for improved verification of the effectiveness of heat stress countermeasures. Recent drone applications in Tokushima Prefecture showed notable improvements; despite similar temperature conditions to the previous year, feeding times increased by about 10%, indicating a more favorable environment for the cows, which is likely to influence milk production. Analyzing the connection between cow behavior and milk yield can enhance decision-making for farmers.

Standardization of Heat Stress Countermeasures and Sustainable Dairy Farming

This project represents the first-ever adoption of drone-based heat stress solutions as a subsidized initiative. Based on insights gained from this model, Desamis and the Miyagi Dairy Cooperative plan to expand the implementation to more dairy farms within the cooperative and share this model with dairy operations across Japan.

Through data-driven analysis of changes in feeding behavior, the project goes beyond mere implementation; it provides valuable insights for future management decisions, enhancing the sustainability and productivity of dairy farming practices.

Commentary from Miyagi Dairy Cooperative

As the summer heat intensifies once again, local farmers have expressed concerns regarding their barns failing to cool adequately and reduced milk yields. This test application offers new options to address these challenges, marking a significant advancement in strengthening heat stress countermeasures in dairy farming.

The innovative drone-assisted insulating application significantly enhances safety for high-altitude work and reduces project duration, promising practical applications in the field. The cooperative looks forward to collaborating with Desamis and other involved companies to continue creating environments in which farmers can operate with confidence.

About the U-marche

U-marche, an online marketplace for livestock farming operated by Desamis, emphasizes cost-effective sourcing, offering various options such as affordable consumables and second-hand high-cost materials to support farmers' operations. The services discussed, including the Flying High-pressure Washer™, can be consulted on the U-marche website for inquiries and estimates regarding heat stress countermeasures.