Ohio dairy farmer using technology to help plan for the next generation

A sixth-generation Ohio dairy farmer says investing in technology on her operation is helping improve cow comfort and herd management.

Meagan Hempfling says the farm uses four robotic milking systems to manage its 250-cow herd.

“Robotic milking gives our cows more flexibility to be milked on their own schedule while providing valuable information about each individual cow,” she says. “We can monitor milk production, milk frequency, and changes in each individual cow’s performance.”

She tells Brownfield she’s using collected data to help her family plan for the future.

“Every decision that we make it a personal investment,” she says. “Our farm isn’t just a business, it’s our livelihood. It’s more about how we can use that technology to support our cows and help invest in the next generation.”

Hempfling was recently named one of seven women featured in Dairy Management Inc.’s Portraits of Modern Dairy, highlighting women in dairy across the country.

Hempfling operates Hemsteads Holsteins alongside her family in Van Wert County, Ohio.