April 14, 2025
Modern herd management: a smarter way to farm
In a dairy herd, every cow has her own story – and modern herd management tools help tell it. By tracking health, habits and needs, these smart systems let farmers care better, work smarter and keep milk flowing. It's the secret behind happy herds and successful, more sustainable dairy farming.
In today’s rapidly changing agricultural world, modern herd management has become a crucial part of running a successful dairy farm. As farms grow larger and expectations for high-quality, sustainable and animal-friendly milk production continue to rise, the demands on farmers are increasing.
At the same time, the global number of dairy farms is steadily declining – especially in developed countries – due to rising operational costs, labor shortages and stricter regulations. According to the International Farm Comparison Network, this trend is clearly visible. In Germany, for instance, the number of dairy farms fell by 4.4% in 2024 alone, dropping below 50,000 for the first time since at least the 1950s.
In this challenging environment, adopting professional herd management practices is not only an option but also a necessity for farmers who want to remain competitive and meet growing expectations in an environmentally responsible way.
A new era for dairy farmers
Running a dairy farm today is nothing like it was a generation ago. What was once a simpler routine of milking cows and tending the land has transformed into a highly complex operation. Modern dairy farmers wear many hats – data analyst, veterinarian, nutritionist and compliance officer – all in a single day. From monitoring milk output and fine-tuning feeding strategies to tracking herd health and managing reproduction cycles, the list of responsibilities keeps growing.
For most family-run farms, the heart and backbone of the dairy industry, this growing management complexity has become a serious challenge. Every day, hours are needed for record-keeping, checking on animal well-being, planning breeding schedules, adjusting feed mixes and making short-notice or long-term decisions that affect the future of the farm. As herds grow and regulations tighten, the traditional methods – clipboards, spreadsheets and gut instinct – start to fall short.
Enter the digital age: the power of herd management systems
This is where technology steps in to lend a hand. Modern herd management systems are transforming the way farms operate. These digital tools automate daily tasks, provide real-time insights and help farmers make smarter, faster decisions. It’s like having a second brain – one that never forgets a health record, estrus cycle or feed update.
“By connecting data across the entire farm – milk yields, feeding schedules, health alerts, and more – these systems give farmers a bird’s-eye view of their operations,” explains Martin Schnare, Product Manager Digital Solutions at GEA. “The result are healthier cows, more efficient routines and more time for the farmer to focus on what matters most.”
In Germany, this shift is already well underway. According to a study by Bitcom, the country’s digital association, and DLG (the German Agricultural Society), nearly half of all German dairy farms are already using herd management software. It’s more than a trend – it’s a movement toward smarter, more sustainable farming.
Beyond the time savings and productivity boosts, these systems also play a key role in the bigger picture: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting climate-friendly agriculture. “This is mainly due to one trend in dairy farming that stands out over the last several decades: Increases in the milk yield per cow have doubled or even tripled in some countries,” Schnaare says. “Fewer dairy cows are feeding many more people. This is mainly due to overall efficiency increases on the farm, advances in breeding, cow health and feeding.”
GEA Dairy Farming Insights
Dairy Farming Insights podcast
Tune in to GEA Dairy Farming Insights - the infotainment podcast for the dairy farming network!
Whether you are experienced farmer, just starting out or interested in the world of dairy, join us as we explore the ever-evolving field of farming and tell stories of success, challenges and innovation. We will be talking about modern and future oriented milk production, based on our Next Generation Farming pillars: animal welfare, flexibility and sustainability for the better.
Join our cowmunity that takes you on a journey through the vastness of milk production - your source of knowledge and inspiration in every episode!
GEA offers long-standing herd management expertise
With decades of expertise in dairy farming, GEA offers smart, integrated herd management solutions tailored to the needs of modern dairy farms. From herd monitoring in conventional and automated milking and feeding systems to fully automated data management, our technology is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly – helping farmers improve herd health, optimize productivity and ensure long-term farm sustainability. GEA DairyNet supports efficient decision-making, reduces operational losses and promotes consistent, high-quality milk production.
At GEA we are dedicated to Next Generation Farming. As the industry evolves to meet growing global demand, GEA continues to drive innovation – enabling better decision-making, minimizing waste and securing the long-term success of dairy farms around the world.
GEA DairyNet
GEA DairyNet delivers a range of benefits that make dairy farming more efficient and sustainable:
- Seamless data integration – All farm data is available in one place, offering a complete view of herd health and productivity. This works with automated and conventional equipment.
- User-friendly interface – The system is designed for ease of use, even for farmers without technical expertise.
- Automated efficiency – GEA DairyNet reduces time spent on manual tasks, allowing more focus on strategic management.
- Predictive health alerts – Farmers are notified of early signs of health issues and can avoid costly veterinary interventions.
- Remote monitoring – Farmers can check on their herd from anywhere, improving flexibility and oversight.
- Sustainability at the core – The solution optimizes feed usage, minimizes waste and lowers a farm’s environmental impact.
