Can Artificial Intelligence Make Happier Cows?

Texas A&M and dairy tech firms are using AI to monitor cows and make milk production smarter, healthier, and more sustainable

7 Nov 2025

Artificial intelligence is moving from tech labs to dairy barns, changing how U.S. farmers manage their herds. At Texas A&M AgriLife, researchers are developing camera-based AI systems that track each cow’s movement, posture, and feeding patterns in real time. These tools are designed to detect illness early and improve both efficiency and animal welfare.

Led by researcher Sushil Paudyal, the team’s goal is to catch subtle signs of lameness, mastitis, or heat stress before they lower milk yields. “We’re moving from reactive management to proactive care,” Paudyal said. “AI gives us the ability to prevent health issues before they affect the herd.”

Major dairy technology firms are pursuing similar paths. Companies like DeLaval and Allflex, part of Merck Animal Health, are rolling out their own digital monitoring systems, reflecting a shared industry push toward data-driven farming.

Experts call this shift a milestone for precision dairy, where analytics and automation help farmers cope with labor shortages, rising costs, and climate challenges. Healthier cows also translate into a smaller environmental footprint, as fewer resources are needed for every gallon of milk produced.

The technology is still maturing, and hurdles remain, from rural connectivity gaps to data privacy questions. Yet agricultural economist Karen Mills believes the momentum is clear. “Dairy farming is becoming increasingly connected,” she said. “Those who integrate data and AI early will shape the industry’s future.”

If current trends hold, the traditional dairy barn could soon look very different, with sensors humming, cameras watching, and algorithms quietly ensuring that America’s cows stay healthier and its milk more sustainable than ever before.