Lely chief executive Alexander van der Lely says that ‘Lely is always looking at interesting technologies which help farmers to perform better. Together with fodjan, as a specialised tech start-up in the area of cloud based livestock management and feeding, we want to take the software to the next level’.
‘Our program provides a simple, practical outlet for applying the extensive scientific knowledge available on feeding,’ explains Carsten Gieseler, who originally dreamed up the concept. The program makes available options and comparisons that individual farmers would not previously have been able to see.
While feeding programs have traditionally worked on a linear model, fodjan smart feeding works with an algorithm that allows for ‘multiple-objective optimization’. It weighs all factors relevant for feeding, providing the user with an overview of the different realistic feeding strategies. The software accounts for feed inventories and the needs of the herd itself, and suggests optional rationing.