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In an era where “Artificial Intelligence” has revolutionised the acronym AI for farmers, opportunities offered by the collection, processing and use of detailed information are substantial. So, perhaps, are the risks. There are significant challenges to be overcome if the full potential of data-based decision-making is to be realised. How should the data be gathered in the first place? How much data is needed, and can there be an excess that hinders rather than helps? Who owns the data? How should it be processed and interpreted to obtain maximum benefit? Who takes responsibility if things go wrong? How far down the AI route should we go? Where in the dairy foods chain could data use have most (and least) impact?

Funded by the Hannah Dairy Research Foundation and supported by the Journal of Dairy Research, Next Generation Dairying Workshops and Conferences stimulate dairy-related research in Scotland and connect researchers globally to improve food security. The fifth Next Generation Dairying Conference was held on the 20th and 21st November, 2023.

The main Conference theme was “Next Generation Quality Dairying” and speakers explored how quality can be improved across the entire dairy production chain, focusing on four main topics: quality of life for animals, quality of life for farmers, quality of products for consumers and the environment.