SIP Leader: Govaerts & Co bv
Sector: Dairy sheep and goats
Countries Involved: Netherlands, France, Belgium
Partners involved:
Govaerts & Co: SIP leader;
KUL: ADS provider; farmers
Farmers involved: La bédonnière, Vreugdehoeve, ’t Reigershof, WetenkampFarm, Vreugdehoeve
Navigating Small-Scale Dairy Farming with Limited Resources
What will SIP 3 do to help?
Led by the Belgian firm Govaerts & Co, in collaboration with KU Leuven, SIP3 is developing a dual-component ADS specifically for small to medium-sized ruminant farms. The first component delivers precise, AI-supported advice on feeding and animal health management, helping farmers optimize resource use and enhance productivity. The second component focuses on monitoring and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, providing farmers with actionable insights to reduce their environmental footprint. Through this innovative approach, SIP3 aims to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of modern dairy farming, ensuring both economic viability and environmental responsibility.
The business and governance model for SIP3 is designed to align with a modular model that’s tailored to the herd’s size, making it accessible and cost-effective for small-scale farmers. SIP3 aims for partnerships with international companies. In terms of governance model, the emphasis is on issues such as data ownership and data sharing, particularly for benchmarking purposes.
The anticipated outcomes include: a) ≥10% reduction of methane production per litre of milk produced; b) 10-15% increase in technical performance per animal; c) 10-15% increased profitability by increasing productivity.