Everyone is connected to agriculture from the food they eat to the clothes they wear. But, it is not uncommon to see facts about agriculture misconstrued in the world around us. It is important to separate fact from fiction and one of the best ways to do that is by experiencing agriculture first-hand.
The International Business Immersion Program (IBIP) enabled me to experience areas of agriculture that were completely new to me and even offered a few surprises in familiar parts of the industry.
Waterhof Dairy Farm in
It was incredible to see such advanced technology at work on a small dairy farm. If there is an issue with the milk, the robot texts (texts!) the farmer to check that particular cow and then reroutes her milk to an alternative tank that stores milk not to be used for human consumption.
The owner of Waterhof said the robot is a great investment for his farm’s size. Many consumers believe modern technology is only implemented in large livestock farms, but the truth is modernized production facilities and practices have become the norm--from farms with thousands of animals to farms with under 100 animals. Our visit to Waterhof solidified the fact that small-scale, family farming and technological advancement can go hand-in-hand. It also reinforced the necessity for farmers to share their facilities and production practices with consumers to build knowledge and trust between the two end points of our food supply chain.
