TLDR: A Waikato sharemilker has launched an AI-driven tool, Perfect Cow Breeding Solutions (PCBS), utilizing ChatGPT to streamline and enhance cow breeding decisions, aiming to boost milk production and profitability for dairy farmers.
In a significant leap for agricultural technology, Waikato sharemilker Matthew Zonderop has introduced Perfect Cow Breeding Solutions (PCBS), an innovative AI-driven tool that leverages ChatGPT to optimize cow breeding. This groundbreaking solution, likened to “Tinder for Cows,” was a finalist in the Innovation Awards at Fieldays, highlighting its potential as a practical, real-world solution for the dairy industry.
Traditionally, farmers like Zonderop would spend up to a month post-calving and pre-mating meticulously developing spreadsheets to match bulls to cows. This process involved sifting through numerous bull catalogues from dairy herd improvement companies.
PCBS dramatically simplifies this time-consuming task. By replacing manual spreadsheets with a fast online conversion via ChatGPT, the system allows farmers to input data on bulls and cows, considering a variety of preferred traits. Zonderop emphasizes that the system caters to individual farmer preferences, with a universal goal of achieving “peak milk production.”
One of the key advantages of PCBS is its integration of genomics, which involves using DNA (genotypes) to predict an animal’s future profitability. While farmers previously relied on parental traits and production information, genomic data provides a more reliable “Breeding Worth” at a younger age, offering a clearer picture of inherited production qualities.
PCBS utilizes a publicly available RAS (Ranking of Active Sires) list, updated monthly by New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd, an independent subsidiary of DairyNZ. The RAS database contains approximately 27,000 bulls available to New Zealand farmers.
Zonderop, who previously spent a month planning breeding for his 380-cow herd, can now input data and generate a report on the top bulls for his cows with remarkable speed. He pays a monthly subscription for the AI program and charges farmers for data input and report generation. The system is designed with “farmer-speak” in mind, ensuring ease of use and understanding.
Also Read:
- Root AI: Revolutionizing Canadian Agriculture with 24/7 Support
- ITV Leverages AI for Enhanced Efficiency in Love Island Casting
“It is designed to help dairy farmers make precise breeding decisions for their herd, both now and into the future,” Zonderop stated. “The mission is simple: to maximise herd performance, improve milk production, and drive sustainable profits for dairy farmers using cutting-edge science and technology.”
