Description of Organization
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is the marketing board for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. DFO is accountable to the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, which delegates authority to all marketing boards. DFO also administers a raw milk quality program under the authority of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business (OMAFA), which licenses all dairy farms under the Milk Act. Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in the production of Canadian milk, and our vision is toward a dynamic, profitable, and continuously growing Canadian dairy industry. Therefore, DFO invests in developing our domestic market by supporting research, science and innovation that aligns with our research priorities of increasing farm efficiency, enhancing dairy sustainability, improving animal health and welfare and driving continued improvements in milk quality.
Problem area
Dairy cattle are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chambered stomach that helps increase surface area, host a strong microbiome, and digest organic matter that monogastric animals cannot digest. Because cows can break down forage—plant material that includes fiber, starch, sugar, and protein—they are excellent recyclers of plant material. Forage from fields can be in different forms, mainly based on how much moisture they contain. Dry forages, like hay or straw, typically have more than 85% Dry Matter (DM), while wet forages can range from 35% to 70% DM, depending on how they are stored. Knowing the moisture content is important for farmers when storing and feeding. If forage is too wet, it can increase the risk of fires and cause poor fermentation, which makes it easier for cows to digest. If it’s too dry, it may spoil more easily through other processes.
Therefore, having a quick and accurate way to measure the dry matter (DM), within 0.5%, is important for farmers to manage forage storage effectively. Another use of this technology is for planning cow diets. Cows eat a set amount of DM each day, so if the moisture content of the forage changes, it can affect the diet balance, potentially harming their health and milk production. If the technology can instantly measure the DM content, farmers can quickly adjust the feed ratio. Currently, most DM testers take a long time to work and rely on heating to evaporate water, then measuring the weight difference to determine the DM percentage. Based on this, a nutritionist can calculate the amount of feed needed for each cow.
Main objectives
To develop a cost competitive forage moisture meter to determine the Wet or DM % of the forage which does so in an instantaneous or under 3-minute way for a variety of forages (including those comprising corn, alfalfa, grass, barley, etc.). Cost effective is important as potential for this technology to support developing nations improve production of beef and dairy is also a potential outcome if cost can be kept moderate.
Scope of work
- Conduct a literature and market review of technology currently available including those currently found in the patent literature.
- Review forage samples obtained from a farm following a visit to understand how the technology may be useful to determine potential analytical methods.
- Develop a prototype using either a refined technology or one that might be applicable to a variety of different forages based on their held water capacity.
Deliverables
- New protocols/processes
Frequency
- Monthly
Skills and training required
The method is most important so an understanding of basic material science may be helpful along with analytical skills to approach the problem from a fresh perspective.
Resources required
- Potentially specialized tools and equipment
- Forage access and potential multiple farm access
NDA or a commercialization agreement for this project?
Yes