ADVERTORIAL
Disrupting the cow Globally, the dairy industry accounts for approximately 18% of total food revenue. In the next decade, the consumption of dairy products in developing countries is projected to increase; and in contrast, a decline in the production of dairy products is expected in developed countries. dairy farming has on the environment. With the use of tech, farmers and producers of dairy products can measure total carbon footprint, and ensure animal welfare and the transparency of the supply chain throughout, thereby benefiting the planet and communities. Using this data, a story is told to the consumer, which could have a positive effect on producers’ and farmers’ brands. Consumer awareness is growing, and
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there is a demand for more nutritious and ajor disruption is occurring in terms
consumer pressure to reduce costs remains,
of how products are produced and
and the growing global demand to reduce the
distributed. This has arisen due to
impact of production on the environment is
the need to produce dairy more sustainably and efficiently.
now more than a trend – it is a necessity. Harnessing technologies and models, such as
Going forward, South Africa must prepare
Food-as-software technology, to produce dairy
to shift to a more modern way of producing
products that are nutritious and low cost may
dairy products for the industry to survive in
be the only way to meet industry demands.
the future.
Food-as-Software refers to a model of
Disruption of an industry is not a negative
food production that adopts the principles
event, but rather an opportunity to innovate
of computing. With this technology, food
and expand.
is designed by altering molecules to
This disruption entails the use of digital technologies to achieve sustainability in the dairy industry, paired with a focus on the
produce products of a certain taste, texture and nutrition. These digitally modified products are
consumer’s want and need for a nutritious and
designed to compare with the protein content,
affordable product.
flavour and textural properties of cow’s milk.
Decades ago, dairy products were delivered
In this model, there is no need for a physical
to homes, and dairy farmers managed their
cow to produce milk, thereby decreasing the
operations without regulatory, political and
impact cows have on the environment.
economic influence. There were fewer retailers
Other uses of technology to improve
and a smaller variety of dairy-related products
the efficiency of the production of the
available to consumers.
milk in the supply chain include the use of
Times have changed. Today we see extended categories of dairy-type products, many which
wearables on cows. With these, farmers can measure the productivity of the individual cow based on the milk produced, and
incorporate non-dairy
gather data to maximise economic and
ingredients such as
sustainability benefits at relatively low cost.
plant-based, imitation dairy products. Costs
Virtual reality is used to make the cow feel more comfortable, by letting it think it is
of production have
still outside while it is being milked indoors,
increased; yet
which increases the output of milk per cow. Augmented reality coupled with facial recognition allows the farmer to check in on each cow with a smartphone, count the herd,
sustainable alternatives to current food. This includes the movement to include more plant-based foods in our diets. Many dairy-product-producing companies have embraced this, and have begun producing plant-based (imitation) products as an alternative revenue source. All businesses along the supply chain will be affected by disruptions to the indusrty at some point. It will be a challenge for the industry to adopt these types of digital models to progress into the future. Although the possibilities associated with technology used in the dairy industry are endless, there is also the possibility that with the introduction of new dairytype products, the industry will become more vulnerable to adulteration or fraudulent practices. The current regulations focus primarily on composition rather than on food fraud and adulteration. They also have some elements that are open to interpretation, which may be to the detriment of the consumer and/or the manufacturer. If the imitation diary products market is to grow, the compositional requirements must be more clearly defined. Essentially, the industry, consumerfocused groups and regulators must all collaborate to ensure a future of sustainable and efficient production of dairy products. Without a combined effort to focus on the adoption of these disruptors, the dairy industry may suffer in the long run. •
and be notified if a cow is sick or injured. As we move into the next decade, perhaps dairy farmers may need to start thinking of themselves as tech-company owners. Dairy agriculture has certainly been in the spotlight with regard to the impact
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Food Review | May 2020
BY: CANDICE SHARP, FACTS FACTS Food & Allergy Consulting & Testing Services info@factssa.com / +27 21 882 9883
