These awards, supported through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), help Vermont dairy farms trial new technologies and practices that improve herd management — and share what they learn with the broader dairy community. Please join us in congratulating this year's awardees!
White Rock Farm, LLC — Randolph Center, Vermont
Matthew Angell and his family operate a multi-generational 140-cow registered Jersey dairy alongside a retail sawmill and sugarbush. As White Rock Farm transitions the herd to organic production, conventional fly control is no longer an option. The Angells are taking a creative, two-pronged approach to keeping cows comfortable through the warmer months.
The project will combine biological fly control (weekly shipments of beneficial predator insects released throughout the grazing season) with a positive-pressure forced-air ventilation system in their step-up parlor. Matthew will track success by observing cow behavior and comparing summer somatic cell counts to previous years, when fly pressure typically drove a seasonal spike.
DeGraaf Dairy, LLC — Richmond, Vermont
Nicholas and Renae DeGraaf are part of the third generation taking over their family’s 170-cow dairy, where they milk three times a day and raise all their own replacements and forage. Their project tackles heat stress and water efficiency at the same time.
The DeGraafs will upgrade their existing timer-based sprinkler system to a Smart Sense sprinkler system that uses sensors and cameras to detect when cows are within range and only sprays when needed. The current timed system uses excess water that creates issues with their rubber flooring and adds unnecessary volume to the manure pit. The new system is expected to maintain — or improve — heat stress relief while significantly reducing water use, which the farm will measure using meters already in place and comparing year-over-year water usage.
A sincere thank you to both farms for their willingness to try something new and share what they learn. Stay tuned for more updates on these projects later this summer!
