The system is designed to maximise efficiency in feed management, allowing producers to reduce costs and optimize resource utilisation. (Image source: Topcon)

Leading precision agriculture designer, manufacturer and distributor, Topcon Agriculture recently announced the launch of its latest feeding system, TMR Flex Pro that enables smooth management of the feeding process

The system also provides real-time insight in key aspects such as dry matter, refusals and pen deliveries. Besides accuracy, other key elements that are critical to this include elements such as time and flexibility. This is particularly important for larger farms. Developed together with farmers, the modular TMR FlexPro helps improve daily workflow on the go and in a practical and convenient way. 

A major advantage of this system inclues its self-explanatory interface which is simple and reduces the learning curve, while also ensuring ease of use for individual operators and feeding teams. Moreover, the system also allows multiple users to seamlessly collaborate during the loading and delivery process, thereby enhancing not only visibility, but also efficiency and productivity. 

“Ingredient tracking functionality enhances inventory control, and the system’s unique refusal recording and substitution feature reduces feed waste, improving sustainability and farmers’ return on investment,” said Topcon Agriculture's senior vice president and segment leader of nutrition and weighing technologies, Wim De Wit. 

The system comprises the Digi-Star FD1 tablet, a data transfer device, and the TAP FEED Pro/Feedlot subscription and is designed to maximise efficiency in feed management, allowing producers to reduce costs and optimise resource utilisation. It offers enhanced data visibility and monitoring capabilities, providing farmers with valuable, data-driven insights for better planning and decision-making. 

“TMR Flex Pro can be connected to existing Digi-Star scale systems or load cells of any kind on any brand feed mixer. It is the best-in-class upgrade solution to achieve a next-level feed management experience on any type or size dairy and feedlot operation,” De Wit said. “The TAP FEED cloud platform allows producers to collaborate with their trusted partners such as feed suppliers, nutritionists, and others who all have an increasing need for real-time data for the benefit of their advancing business models and sustainability agendas.”

The strategic location of the new factory allows De Heus to serve customers in Central Java and nearby regions more efficiently and effectively, providing tailored solutions for livestock farmers. (Image source: De Heus)

Global leader in animal nutrition, De Heus has further strengthened its presence in Indonesia with the successful acquisition and launch of its fifth production facility in Purwodadi, Central Java

This strategic expansion underscores De Heus' unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable livestock farming and empowering local communities. The new Purwodadi factory further strengthens De Heus’ already strong position in the Indonesian market, enabling the company to better serve its customers and meet growing demand for high-quality animal feed in Central Java and surrounding areas.

The factory in Purwodadi, Central Java, has expanded its production capacity to 15,000 tons per month, contributing to De Heus' overall growth and reinforcing its position as a leading animal feed company in Indonesia. The strategic location of the new factory allows De Heus to serve customers in Central Java and nearby regions more efficiently and effectively, providing tailored solutions for livestock farmers.

President director of De Heus Indonesia, Kay De Vreese was thrilled to expand their operations in Indonesia and contribute to the growth of the livestock sector. "The new Purwodadi factory is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality livestock feed and supporting sustainable livestock farming practices to the independent Indonesian farmers,” said De Vreese. “Indonesia holds vast potential in livestock farming, and our goal is to support the industry's growth by providing dependable feed solutions that are tailored to the needs of local farmers. This new facility allows us to make a meaningful contribution to both the community and the environment," he added.

As the Purwodadi facility enhances its production capacity, De Heus reaffirms its dedication to supporting local farmers by ensuring their consistent access to high-quality feed. The facility is committed to producing animal feed that meets global standards, with a strong emphasis on practical and sustainable farming solutions.

Monitoring estrus intensity in cattle helps optimise reproduction and can be done efficiently with visual estrus detection aids. (Image source: ESTROTECT)

Although all estrus cycles are not the same for individual females within a herd, it is one of the most important indicators of whether a cow or heifer will be successfully bred

Animal reproduction professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, Ronaldo Cerri, PhD is carrying out research work to improve cattle fertility by identifying which cows and heifers are the best candidates to breed using tactics like artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET), with estrus intensity as the deciding factor.

Cattle have typical baseline activity when they aren’t in estrus. When they start to enter estrus, their activity rises as the intensity of the estrus increases. Pinpointing when estrus is about to peak is crucial to a successful pregnancy. 

After analysing extensive data from estrus detection sensors, Cerri and other researchers have pinpointed patterns based on what’s occurring during estrus. Cows exhibiting low estrus intensity tend to have lower concentrations of progesterone during the growth of the ovulatory follicle and fail to ovulate more often than those with high estrus intensity. Similarly, ET recipients that show high estrus intensity have more consistent pregnancy results.

“The patterns are very consistent in many of the studies we do,” said Cerri. “Cows with lower estrus intensity always display less physical activity, but they also have lower pregnancy rates. On the flip side, cows with high estrus intensity display more activity and have higher pregnancy rates.”

Evaluating estrus intensity

Using heat detection tools to evaluate estrus intensity can help to pick and choose which cows are the best candidates to breed at a particular time. While implementing a mass breeding protocol, offers the option to use estrus intensity to direct choices on what type of genetics to use.

Ambient Carbon’s mission is to develop and commercialize effective, safe, and scalable technologies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Denmark-based company, Ambient Carbon has announced its new partnership with Benton Group Dairies to field-test a prototype of Ambient Carbon’s Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS)

This first-of-a-kind non-invasive technology helps remove methane from airy barn exhaust. Ambient Carbon also has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danone North America which sources milk from Benton. This month, the company will install methane monitors at Benton's dairy farm in Ambia, Indiana in preparation for installing and testing a MEPS field prototype in early 2025. 

On 2 October, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) released a new report on the need and potential for atmospheric methane removal. MEPS is a point-source methane removal system which is the only scalable, cost-effective solution for eradicating low-concentration (non-flammable) methane from cattle and manure, as well as other point sources. It uses a patented gas-phase photochemical process that combines chlorine atoms and UV light in a reaction chamber, mimicking a natural process of methane destruction in the atmosphere.  As dairy barn air is cycled through MEPS, it breaks down methane at its source, preventing its release into the ambient air. The chlorine atoms are generated onsite via electrolysis of saltwater, and after eradicating 80-90% of the methane, the chlorine is recycled in a closed system.  

While the Indiana tests are underway, Ambient Carbon will also test another MEPS field prototype in Denmark as part of the AgriFoodTure PERMA Project, which includes Northern European dairy cooperative Arla, and is publicly funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and the EU’s NextGenerationEU. 

“We believe that by 2030, Ambient Carbon will be eliminating well over one gigaton of CO₂ equivalent annually by destroying methane from dairy barns and other low-concentration methane sources such as wastewater treatment plants and biogas plants,” said Ambient Carbon’s co-founder and COO, David S Miller, while Chris Williams, conservation lead at Benton Dairies also expressed his enthusiasm regarding their collaboration with Ambient Carbon.