The Super Cows Making Israel Flow With Milk

Bloomberg Originals

10 Mar 201402:35

Summary

TLDRIsraeli dairy farms lead the world in milk production, with cows averaging over 10.5 tons annually, surpassing the US and Germany. This success is attributed to advanced technology, including real-time monitoring of milk quality and cow health. Companies like SC Dairy export their innovative solutions globally, emphasizing the importance of technology in a traditionally conservative industry. As dairy farming faces economic challenges, the adoption of such technology is becoming crucial for survival and growth in the sector.

Takeaways

🐄 Israeli cows are known for their high milk production, averaging 10.5 tons per cow in 2012, which is over 10% more than American cows and almost 50% more than German cows.
🏭 Technology plays a significant role in the superior milk yields of Israeli cows, with advanced systems in place to measure both quantity and quality of milk.
🌡️ Israeli dairy farms use technology like air conditioning and pedometers to monitor cow health and behavior, contributing to better milk production.
📈 The company AfiMilk exports its technology to 50 countries, helping to increase milk yields globally, but notes that adoption is slower due to the conservative nature of the dairy industry.
📊 Real-time monitoring of cows with tags around their necks allows for the analysis of cud-chewing and body movements, which helps in ensuring the health and productivity of the cows.
🌐 The dairy industry is a conservative marketplace, and the adoption of technology is crucial for its survival and growth.
📉 Dairy farmers face challenges such as price volatility for both feed and milk, and technology is seen as a key solution to these issues.
📈 Since 2001, the sales of milk meters and cow monitors by local company SC have increased thirtyfold, indicating a growing trend in technology adoption.
🔍 Technology is not only limited to cows but is also being used for milking camels in the Arab world, showcasing the adaptability and potential of Israeli milk tech.
🌟 Israeli milk tech giants are optimistic about the future, expanding into new fields and markets, indicating a bullish trend in the industry.

Q & A

What is unique about Israel's dairy cows?
-Israeli dairy cows are unique because they produce more milk than their counterparts in other countries. In 2012, they produced an average of 10.5 tons each, which is over 10% higher than the second-place United States and almost 50% more than German cows.
How does technology contribute to the high milk production of Israeli cows?
-Technology plays a significant role in the high milk production by monitoring both the quantity and quality of milk. It includes the use of pedometers to track the health and activity of the cows, and real-time data analysis to ensure optimal health and productivity.
What is the role of air conditioning in dairy farming as mentioned in the script?
-The script implies that not all dairy cows have access to air conditioning, but it's a feature that can contribute to better treatment of Israeli dairy cows, indirectly affecting their milk production.
How does the traditional dairy farming process differ from the one described in the script?
-Traditionally, cows would be milked in a shed and then leave. In contrast, the script describes a process where the quantity and quality of milk are measured and monitored using technology, providing a more data-driven approach to dairy farming.
Why does the CEO of SC Adaptive believe that technology is essential for dairy farmers?
-The CEO believes that technology is essential because it significantly impacts the dairy business, helping farmers to cope with challenges like price volatility for feed and milk. Technology adoption is seen as a survival tool for farmers in a competitive and conservative marketplace.
What has been the impact of SC Adaptive's technology on the dairy industry?
-SC Adaptive's technology has led to a thirty-fold increase in sales of milk meters and cow monitors since 2001. This indicates a significant adoption of their technology in the dairy industry.
How does the use of real-time tags around cows' necks contribute to dairy farming?
-Real-time tags around cows' necks measure cud-chewing and body movements, providing data that helps analyze the health and well-being of the cows. This data-driven approach contributes to healthier cows and higher milk production.
What is the significance of the statement 'technology belongs to the Googles of the world' in the context of the script?
-This statement suggests that while technology is often associated with tech giants like Google, it also has a crucial role to play in traditional sectors like dairy farming, where it can revolutionize practices and outcomes.
What challenges do dairy farmers face according to the script?
-Dairy farmers face challenges such as volatility in prices for both feed and milk, making it difficult to maintain profitability. The script suggests that technology is a key tool to help them overcome these challenges.
How is Israeli milk technology being adopted globally?
-Israeli milk technology is being adopted globally, with exports to 50 countries and even use in the Arab world for milking camels, indicating a broad international reach and acceptance of Israeli dairy farming innovations.
What is the future outlook for Israel's milk tech giants as mentioned in the script?
-The script suggests an optimistic future for Israel's milk tech giants, with a focus on pushing into new fields and markets, indicating ongoing innovation and expansion in the dairy technology sector.

Outlines

00:00

🐄 Israeli Super Cows and Dairy Technology

Israeli dairy cows, particularly post ein heifers, are renowned for their high milk production. In 2012, they produced an average of 10.5 tons per cow, surpassing the United States and Germany by a significant margin. This productivity is attributed to superior treatment and advanced technology. Israeli farms utilize sophisticated systems to measure not only the quantity but also the quality of milk produced. These systems can detect the health and activity levels of cows through pedometers and other monitors. The technology has been exported to 50 countries, and the CEO of a local company believes that the conservative nature of the dairy industry is the main barrier to wider adoption of such technology. However, as the dairy business becomes more challenging, the adoption rate of technology is expected to rise. Israeli milk tech companies are optimistic about the future and are expanding into new markets, even using their technology for milking camels in the Arab world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Super Cows

The term 'Super Cows' refers to high-performing dairy cows that produce significantly more milk than the average. In the context of the video, Israeli cows are highlighted as 'super cows' because they produce on average 10.5 tons of milk each, which is more than 10% higher than American cows and almost 50% more than German cows. This concept is central to the video's theme of advanced dairy farming practices.

💡Milk Yield

Milk yield refers to the amount of milk produced by a cow or a dairy herd. The video emphasizes the impressive milk yield of Israeli cows, which is a key factor in their classification as 'super cows.' The high milk yield is attributed to better treatment and advanced technology, making it a central concept in the video's discussion of dairy farming efficiency.

💡Technology in Dairy Farming

This concept refers to the use of advanced tools and systems to improve dairy farming operations. The video discusses how technology, such as milk meters and cow monitors, is used to measure both the quantity and quality of milk produced by Israeli cows. This technology is a key differentiator that sets Israeli dairy farming apart and contributes to the high milk yields.

💡Pedometers

In the context of the video, pedometers are devices attached to cows to track their movement. They are used to monitor the health and activity levels of the cows, indicating whether they are unwell or active. This technology is part of the broader suite of tools that contribute to the high performance of Israeli dairy cows.

💡Real-time Tags

Real-time tags are devices that provide continuous monitoring of the cows' behavior and health. The video mentions that these tags are used to measure cud-chewing and body movements, which are analyzed to ensure the cows' health. This technology is integral to the high-tech approach to dairy farming discussed in the video.

💡Adoption Issue

The 'adoption issue' refers to the reluctance of some farmers to embrace new technologies in their operations. The video suggests that while Israeli farmers have adopted these technologies, leading to high milk yields, foreign farmers have been more traditional and conservative, which has affected the adoption of these advancements.

💡Conservative Marketplace

This term is used in the video to describe the dairy farming industry's tendency to stick to traditional methods and resist change. The conservative nature of the marketplace is presented as a challenge to the widespread adoption of technological advancements in dairy farming.

💡Volatility in Prices

The video discusses the challenges faced by dairy farmers due to volatility in the prices of feed and milk. This economic factor is a driving force behind the need for technology adoption, as it can help farmers manage these fluctuations and improve their operations' efficiency.

💡Survival of Dairy Farmers

The video implies that the survival of dairy farmers in a competitive and economically challenging environment is dependent on their ability to adopt technology. It suggests that those who fail to do so may not be able to compete and could potentially go out of business.

💡Avi Milk Tech

Avi Milk Tech is mentioned as a company that exports its technology to 50 countries. The video highlights the company's success and the global reach of Israeli dairy farming technology, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the technology in improving milk yields and quality.

💡Milk Tech Giants

The term 'milk tech giants' refers to large companies in the dairy technology sector that are driving innovation and expansion in the industry. The video discusses how these companies are bullish on the future and are pushing into new fields and markets, indicating the growing importance of technology in dairy farming.

Highlights

Israeli cows, particularly post ein heifers, are known for their high milk production.

In 2012, Israeli cows produced an average of 10.5 tons of milk each, surpassing the United States and Germany.

The high milk yield is attributed to better treatment and advanced technology.

Israeli dairy cows often have access to air conditioning, setting them apart from others.

Technology plays a crucial role in measuring both the quantity and quality of milk produced.

Kibbutz a feed Kim utilizes computers to monitor and display milk production data.

Pedometers are used to track the health and activity levels of cows.

Israeli company AfiMilk exports its technology to 50 countries, contributing to high milk yields globally.

The CEO of AfiMilk discusses the conservative nature of the dairy industry and the adoption of technology.

Real-time monitoring of cows with tags around their necks is used to measure cud-chewing and body movements.

Data analysis from cow monitors helps maintain the health of dairy cows.

The necessity of technology adoption for the survival of dairy farmers is emphasized.

Avi Milk's technology is used in the Arab world for milking camels, showcasing its adaptability.

The dairy industry faces challenges such as price volatility, making technology a crucial tool for farmers.

Israel's milk tech giants are optimistic about the future and are expanding into new markets.

The transcript concludes with a visit to a northern Israel facility, highlighting the local impact of these technologies.