Real-Time Precision Feeding Technology Debuts at World Dairy Expo

At World Dairy Expo 2010, one of the most innovative technologies presented for dairy nutrition was the dg precisionFEEDING System developed by Dinamica Generale.

The system was designed to automatically adjust rations in real time according to forage dry matter and nutrient variability, helping dairy farms improve feeding consistency and herd performance.

Real-Time NIR Analysis During Loading

The system uses a Near Infrared (NIR) analyzer mounted directly inside the payloader bucket.

As forage and grain are loaded, the analyzer measures:

• Dry matter
• Protein
• Starch
• ADF
• NDF
• Crude fat
• Ash

Within seconds, the data are wirelessly transferred to the weighing system and feeding software, automatically recalculating the amount of feed needed to match the nutritionist’s target ration.

Improving Consistency in Dairy Feeding

According to Noah Litherland from the University of Minnesota, modern dairy farms increasingly rely on technology to improve management and reduce variability.

One of the main challenges in large dairy operations is the natural variability of forage coming from different fields, bunker silos, and storage areas.

Real-time NIR technology helps producers better control this variability and maintain more consistent nutrient delivery to the cows.

Research Trial on a 1,600-Cow Dairy Farm

The technology was tested at Gar-Lin Dairy Farms in Minnesota, a 1,600-cow dairy operation.

The study compared the precision feeding system with conventional feeding management methods, evaluating:

• Dry matter consistency
• Feed intake
• Milk production
• Cow performance
• Nutrient delivery consistency

The goal was not only to improve milk production, but also to optimize feed efficiency, animal health, and overall ration consistency.

Precision Feeding for Modern Dairy Farms

The dg precisionFEEDING System combines:

• DTM Feed Management Software
• IRM NIR Analyzer
• Wireless weighing systems
• Real-time ration adjustments

This integrated approach allows dairy producers to make faster and more accurate feeding decisions while reducing the impact of forage variability.

As precision feeding continues to evolve, real-time NIR technology is becoming an increasingly important tool for improving efficiency, consistency, and profitability on modern dairy farms.

FeedScan Precision Feeding System aims to eliminate variability