Archaeologists Find Ancient Cheese Makers Used Tree Leaves to Boost Milk Production

Nov 13, 2024

By Doris Fleischer

A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution sheds light on the innovative practices of Central Europe's early cheese makers.

Researchers at German Archaeological Institute (Berlin), University of Bristol, Museum National d'historie Naturelle (Paris) and Kiel University conducted and collated over 2,000 stable isotopic measurements of cattle teeth, bones, and pottery fats, revealing how pioneer farmers adapted their cattle herding techniques to the rich forested landscape of Central Europe.

Led by Dr. Rosalind Gillis from the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, the study highlights an intriguing early practice: feeding cattle with leaves collected from trees during the summer to sustain them through the winter.

Click here to see more...

Video: What If Everything You Knew About Feed Inventory Was Wrong?

AI, Agriculture & the Future of Smart Farming with BinSentry CEO Ben Allen. Every day, livestock producers make thousands of dollars' worth of decisions based on one simple question: How much feed is actually left in the bin? For decades, the answer has often been an estimate.

In this episode of AgTech with Andrew, I sit down with Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, to explore how artificial intelligence, machine vision and real-time data are transforming one of agriculture's most overlooked challenges—feed and grain inventory management.
We discuss why some of the biggest inefficiencies in livestock production aren't happening in the barn, but throughout the feed supply chain. Ben shares insights from his career leading agricultural technology companies, explains why AI must solve real business problems to earn producer trust, and offers his vision for the connected farm of the future.

In this interview, you'll discover:
Why feed inventory has remained one of agriculture's biggest blind spots
How AI is reducing costly feed outages, waste and unnecessary deliveries
The hidden safety risks of traditional bin inspections
What separates successful ag technologies from those that never gain adoption
How connected farms are changing decision-making for producers, feed mills and integrators
Why real-time inventory may become as important as precision planting and autonomous equipment

Whether you're a livestock producer, grain farmer, feed manufacturer, ag retailer, nutritionist or simply passionate about the future of agriculture, this conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed.