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Context. The aim of farm-systems research is to test concepts in a holistic context that enables results to be as applicable as possible to commercial farmers. A downside of such research has been that it can take several seasons to be confident in the consistency of the outcomes and interpretation of the results. Scientists are often reluctant to communicate outcomes until they have clear conclusions, which conflicts with farmers' desire to see rapid answers and engage with research. Aims. This paper reviews a 3-year farm-systems research project investigating flexible milking strategies for New Zealand dairy farmers. The aims of this paper are to (1) examine the impact of real-time science communication in achieving farm system change, and (2) develop a framework for science communication and engagement in adaptive farm-systems research. Methods. The project involved farmer interviews, a farmlet experiment, a component experiment, partner farms, modelling, and a farmer reference group. We use data from sources such as e-newsletter engagement, webinar participation, web-page engagement, presentation attendance, and farmer feedback to collect insights on the impact of the project. Key results. The analysis highlighted that farmers do not always seek complete information and will follow a project as it evolves, particularly when it is highly topical. We propose a framework for delivering adaptive farm systems research and communication. The framework includes the critical aspects for real-time farm-systems research: credible evidence, rapid results, inclusion of farmer voices, meaningful outcomes, flexible communication channels, iterative feedback loops, and adaptable research design. Conclusion. Farm-systems research can be designed to communicate results to farmers as a project develops, while simultaneously using the engagement with farmers to refine the direction of the research. Implications. This framework can guide scientists leading multi-year farm systems projects to design, implement, and communicate the project outcomes to improve farmer engagement and adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, dairy farmers face issues with attracting and retaining high-quality staff. In the present study, a qualitative research method was used to explore the current challenges in relation to people on farm, the approaches currently used by farmers to make dairying more attractive and productive for people, and perspectives on the challenges for attracting and retaining people on future farms. Current challenges were in the areas of recruitment, productivity, skills and learning, farm and industry structural issues, and impact of farm profitability on ability to implement new people practices. Participants' vision of the future dairy workplace was one that is highly dynamic, more open to consumers and the community, and largely data-driven. We suggest that dairy workplace research priorities focus on the design and testing of new systems to provide people with meaningful work and a good lifestyle, without compromising profit. Specific priorities include using new ways of connecting and communicating to create engaged and effective teams, developing flexible farm teams who deeply understand their role in the value chain and the consumer connection, defining the opportunity for technology to make the job easier and more enjoyable, developing farm systems that are safe, innovative, and provide a good career, and helping farming businesses demonstrate their people performance to consumers. Globally, dairy farmers face issues with attracting and retaining high-quality staff. Future management of dairy farms will demand farm teams with flexibility, understanding of consumer and community expectations, and the ability to effectively use technology, only exacerbating the challenge of finding the right staff. The present study used workshops and interviews with experts to examine people-related challenges associated with future dairy farms, and we suggest research and development priorities for the next decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy farmers are adopting precision technologies to assist with milking and managing their cows due to increased herd sizes and a desire to improve labour efficiency, productivity and sustainability. In the present study, we evaluated the adoption of technologies installed at or near the dairy, and milking practices, on New Zealand dairy farms. These data quantify current use of technology for milking and labour efficiency, and decision-making, and provide insight into future technology adoption. A telephone survey of 500 farmers, randomly selected from a database of New Zealand dairy farms, was conducted in 2018. Adoption for all farms is indicated for six automation technologies, including automatic cup removers (39%), automatic drafting (24%), automatic teat spraying (29%), computer-controlled in-shed feeding (29%), automatic plant wash (18%) and automatic yard wash systems (27%). Five data-capture technologies also included in the survey were electronic milk meters (8%), automatic animal weighing (7%), in-line mastitis detection (7%), automatic heat detection (3%) and electronic animal-identification readers (23%). Analysis by dairy type indicated an adoption level for the automation technologies in rotary dairies of 36–77%, and 7–49% for data-capture technologies, with 10% having none of these 11 technologies installed. This compares with herringbone dairies at 4–21% and 2–11% for automation and data-capture technologies respectively, with 56% having none of these technologies. Rotary dairies, with a combination of automatic cup removers, automatic teat spraying, and automatic drafting, were associated with 43% higher labour efficiency (cows milked/h.person) and 14% higher milking efficiency (cows milked/h) than were rotary dairies without all three technologies. Dairy farmers will increasingly use technologies that deliver value, and the present study has provided information to guide investment decisions, product development and research in areas such as applying technology in new workplaces. Precision-farming technologies are receiving greater attention by researchers and policy makers for potential improvements in farm management. New Zealand dairy farmers have focussed on investment in automation technology in the dairy, some of which provide greater labour efficiency, rather than investing in data-capture technology for decision support. Further improvements in labour efficiency from technology in high-performing conventional dairies may be limited, and adoption of data-capture technologies may need to accelerate to support an increasingly diverse and less experienced workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]