Like in any other agriculture business, the livestock industry relies on timely and accurate data. With wearable animal sensors, feeding systems, and imaging technologies increasing in popularity, the volume of data generated daily has grown exponentially. While these precision farming technologies are indispensable for farm operations, accessing raw data for research purposes presents a significant challenge. Many systems provide aggregated or localized data, requiring researchers to develop custom solutions for remote data extraction.
Let me share a recent project where we automated remote data collection from a dairy farm using our innovative Smart Device tailored to our client's need.
The Need
Feed efficiency is a key focus in livestock management, and automated feeding systems like the RIC2Discover from Hokofarm Group (formerly known as Insentec BV) play a vital role in recording individual feed intakes on large operations with minimal maintenance. The RIC2Discover is used on different kinds of research projects, such as feeding efficiency and animal welfare, given its exceptional accuracy. While the system generates comprehensive raw data in structured comma-delimited files, these files are only accessible locally, posing a challenge for research projects requiring remote data access.
As part of a research initiative, an agricultural business partnered with a dairy farm to capture daily feed intake data from the RIC2Discover system. They engaged us for a solution to automate the extraction and secure transfer of this data to a remote server, ensuring reliability, accuracy, and data integrity for their research project.
The Solution
At the core of our solution is our custom-built Smart Device, housed in an IP67 waterproof enclosure engineered to withstand wet and dusty barn environments. This versatile device features both wireless and wired internet connectivity and is powered via PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) for streamlined cabling management. For farms without a PoE+ network, such as this dairy farm, we provide a PoE+ injector along with a simple installation diagram.
Figure 1. Installation diagram using a regular Non-PoE+ Internet Modem
Figure 2. Installation diagram using a PoE+ Internet Modem
Automating Data Collection, Proactive Monitoring and Alerts
Our Smart Device was delivered pre-configured with specialized software tailored to seamlessly interface with the RIC2Discover system and automate data collection on a predefined schedule.
Designed for simplicity, the device requires zero configuration on-site — just plug it in and it's ready to go.
Automatic recovery mechanisms ensure data integrity by queuing and resuming file transfers in the event of network disruptions.
Because data security is paramount, our device employs robust encryption protocols to securely transmit data to authorized servers with end-to-end security.
A built-in notification system continuously monitors the data pipeline and transfer statuses. It promptly alerts authorized personnel to any anomalies, such as system unavailability or unexpected data deviations, enabling swift troubleshooting and resolution.
Figure 3. Data pipeline is comprehensively logged from data source extraction to transfer to a remote server.
Embrace Efficiency!
Our Smart Device provides reliable and secure research data collection tailored the agricultural sector. By leveraging automation, strong security protocols, and user-friendly setup, we empower clients to harness the full potential of their data assets.
Need a Custom Data Pipeline Solution?
Seamless integration with the RIC2Discover system is just one example of our data expertise. We specialize in extracting data from a variety of on-farm technologies. Reach out to us and let's discuss how we can tailor a solution to meet your needs.