This project involves development of a novel, precision, data-driven solution for dairy farmers that will create a complete step-change towards improved resource use efficiency and net zero emissions. For the first time dairy farmers will be able to calculate and evaluate their efficiency, productivity and environmental impact and then use sophisticated simulation tools, calibrated for their own farm, to identify optimal management decisions in real time.

Current on-farm precision technologies often deliver isolated solutions to individual components of complex dairy production systems. This research project will focus on combining data and precision technologies (including cow wearables, novel cow health recording technology, detailed data from milk recording and animal health organisations, genomic data, nutritional data and data carbon footprint and emissions), to create software for a real-time decision support system (Real-time dairy, REMEDY) that will, for the first time, place the application of precision, data-driven, solutions at the finger-tips of dairy farmers.

REMEDY will accelerate integration of a diverse range of key data sources and utilise state-of-the-art predictive and simulation models to determine the consequences of specific management decisions on future productivity, animal health, profitability, and environmental impact. Farmer decision-making on a real time basis, will ensure genuine, substantial and measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, environmental footprint and animal welfare.

REMEDY represents a significant step change in the utilisation of farm data and will greatly accelerate the on-farm adoption of new integrated solutions by directly supporting day-to-day decision making. REMEDY will provide deep insights into the consequences of future actions, allowing truly evidence-based decision making by farmers, vets and advisors. The predictive engine of REMEDY will employ sophisticated AI and machine learning methods to continuously use a farm's data to provide farm specific predictions to drive increased efficiency productivity and sustainability.

We will ensure REMEDY has relevance and a focus on end-users. To ensure this, we have a team of academics, dairy industry specialists, precision technology specialists, veterinarians and farmers. This team has the infrastructure and substantial proven experience to deliver KE, identify target markets, establish the widespread adoption and support ongoing user needs. We will co-design project outputs with a group of vets and farmers and work with social scientists to evaluate the project outputs and determine best routes to break down barriers to achieve widespread dissemination.