AI-RFP-103023
CHICAGO — Dairy farmers are learning to talk about artificial intelligence, but the term “AI” still makes them think of artificial insemination, a California dairy leader said here last week at the International Dairy Federation’s World Dairy Summit.
“Farmers are data analysts, but it’s hard to think of AI as artificial intelligence,” said Simon Vander Woude, chair of California Dairies, Inc., during a panel discussion titled “Dairy Farming Around the World: Today’s Focus, Tomorrow”s Vision.”
Many farmers in the audience laughed, but Vander Woude also talked about dairy farmers’ needs to collect data and use it.
Some farm groups have opposed the reporting of what’s called Scope 3 emissions — those not produced by a company but part of its supply chain — and California has passed a law requiring the reporting of Scope 3 emissions.
While “we have to understand we are the Scope 3 emissions for many companies, we have a customer for carbon credits, They need to cover their Scope 3 emissions,” Vander Woude said.
Nonprofit groups “have had the bully pulpit” on sustainability for years, he said.
“We can plant our heels or become part of the solution,” he added.
“There is a lot of opportunity in consumption around the world and as we build the sustainability story we can become the food of choice,” he concluded.