How important is data in modern dairy production, and how do you turn it into real outcomes on the factory floor?
In this episode, we talk with Erik Vedfald, Chief Architect for Production IT at Arla. Erik explains why quality beats quantity in data and what it takes to move from proofs of concept to trusted tools operators actually use. We discuss sensors, governance, UX and the long game of preparing today’s datasets for tomorrow’s analytics and AI.
If you work in operations, engineering or production IT, you will get practical guidance on where to start, how to involve your teams, and of course, how to avoid the common pitfalls.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. Why data quality matters more than having lots of data
2. How to pick high-impact use cases that pay back
3. Ways to structure “data zones” and connect them with a digital thread
4. How to earn operator trust and avoid AI “first-try” failures
5. Practical steps medium-sized dairies can take to get started
Episode content
01:18 Why “keeping up to speed” in production is an illusion
03:55 Are dairies slow or simply paced by ROI and business cases
06:12 Why you can’t just drop AI on raw production data
07:36 Sensors and “dumb vs. deep” data that actually matter
09:21 The skeleton and digital thread analogy for connecting data
10:33 Building high-quality “data zones,” starting at milk intake
11:47 Adoption challenges: UX, change management, and operator workflows
14:50 Data governance and the three-year horizon for training models
16:58 Trust is fragile: the high cost of early bad AI answers
26:37 Bottom-up innovation and scaling local wins across sites
Production
This podcast is brought to you by Au2mate.This podcast is produced by Montanus.
How can tweaking milk fat content by just 0.15% unlock huge savings – even for smaller dairies?
This week, we sit down with Michael Sievers from FOSS, who has spent three decades shaping the future of dairy automation. He reveals how FOSS inline sensors now measure around 80% of the world’s milk, and also how that data helps dairies boost yield, cut waste, and put real money back in the business.
Whether you run a small creamery or a mid-sized dairy, you’ll hear how precision and automation can help you save on raw materials, ride out volatile market prices, and stay competitive against the big players.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
1. How inline sensors turn raw milk data into efficiency gains.
2. Why real-time analysis is a game-changer for dairies of every size.
3. How automation drives higher yield and lower costs.
4. The surprising bottom-line impact of tiny fat adjustments.
5. How Industry 4.0 is reshaping the dairy industry.
Episode Content
01:53 Importance of Production Optimization in Dairy
04:33 Real-time Process Monitoring for Medium-sized Dairies
05:18 Practical Examples: Butter and Milk Fat Optimization
10:06 Financial Benefits of Automation for Smaller Dairies
12:30 Supply Chain Dynamics: Fat and Protein Utilization
14:19 Selling Excess Cream to Larger Dairies
17:45 Steps to Implement Inline Automation Systems
22:30 Overcoming Resistance to Technological Change in Dairies
27:18 Future Trends: AI and Inline Measurement Integration
Production
This podcast is brought to you by Au2mate.
This podcast is produced by Montanus.
How can medium-sized dairies extract more value from every liter of raw milk?
In this episode, we talk with Jesper Kjeldal, Sales Director at MMS Nordic and a specialist in membrane filtration. He explains how modern separation technologies not only reduce waste but also open up new opportunities to tailor the composition of milk, including lactose, minerals, and proteins, to specific products and customer demands.
If you work in operations, engineering, or production in the dairy industry, you will find practical insights here you can apply in your daily work.
Tune in for inspiration on how even smaller dairies can take the next technological step.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. How membrane filtration maximizes the value of raw milk
2. The key differences between ultra, micro, and nano filtration
3. Emerging whey processing trends and their profit potential
4. How efficient separation techniques improve sustainability
5. What challenges and innovations lie ahead for the dairy industry
Episode Content
01:01 Overview of Separation Techniques in Dairy
04:51 Traditional vs. Modern Filtration Techniques
09:56 Benefits of Early Filtration in Cheese Production
10:31 Types of Membrane Filtration: RO, NF, UF, MF
12:32 Collaboration with Clients: Understanding Needs
13:54 Key Metrics Clients Look for in Filtration
21:11 Medium-Sized Dairy Innovations in Separation Techniques
24:47 Future Trends: Plant-Based and Hybrid Dairy Products
32:26 Closing Thoughts on the Future of Dairy Industry
Production
This podcast is brought to you by Au2mate.This podcast is produced by Montanus.
Curious about the latest technologies in Food & Beverage processing?In The Food Tech Podcast, we give you the latest trends, technologies, and automation knowledge that will accellerate your production process.See you on the inside.