Digitalization is becoming an essential component in dairy farms, amid rising cost pressures and increasing quality requirements. According to a European Commission study, the use of sensors and management software can increase average milk production by 8–12% and reduce veterinary costs by 15–20%.

In Romania, fewer than 10% of farms use fully integrated digital monitoring systems. These include sensors for monitoring cow health, automated milking, and feed management. The initial investment ranges from €50,000 to €150,000 for a medium-sized farm, but the return comes from higher efficiency and reduced losses.

Farms in Western Europe have widely implemented technologies such as real-time milk analysis, animal behavior recognition, and the use of artificial intelligence to optimize production. Romania lags behind, but the CAP Strategic Plan (PNS) and AFIR programs include financing lines dedicated to digitalization.

In the medium term, digital integration of farms is the only way to reach European productivity levels and maintain competitiveness in the milk market.

(Photo: Freepik)