Dairy To Be Great : Enhancing Dairy Farming Practices and Designing an Information Dashboard for Animal Health and Reproduction Data

Abstract: This thesis presents a comprehensive research study aimed at designing an information dashboard to address the specific information needs of dairy farmers in relation to animal health and reproduction data. The research focused on answering two key research questions: (1) How can we determine which factors are most relevant in terms of farms productivity and wellbeing of its animals? and (2) How can we visualize the data and farms history in a meaningful way so that the owner can make sense of it and therefore make better decisions for future planning?To answer these questions, extensive user research was conducted within the dairy farming community, involving interviews, literature review and surveys. The findings revealed that dairy farmers required quick access to critical data related to animal health and reproduction to make informed decisions. Applying a user-centered design approach, iterative prototyping and usability testing sessions were conducted to refine the dashboard design based on feedback from farmers. The goal was to create a user-friendly tool that addressed the specific needs of dairy farmers, including clear differentiation between data pertaining to individual animals versus the entire herd.The outcome of this research was the development of an information dashboard that successfully met the information needs of dairy farmers. The dashboard provided easy access to essential data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions regarding animal health and reproduction.Further testing and refinement of the dashboard design are recommended to ensure its effectiveness and usability in real-world farming scenarios. Additionally, future investigations could explore the inclusion of breeding value information in the dashboard. This research contributes to the transformation of the dairy farming landscape, offering farmers enhanced information management capabilities and improved decision-making processes.