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Automation intriguing to Minnesota livestock producer

A northern Minnesota livestock producer is interested in how automation might help her farm.

Rachel Gray owns Little Timber Farms, a bred heifer operation near Blackduck, and says automated feeder systems are gaining popularity in feedlots.

“Also, we’re seeing more and more automation with drones and things like that both in the cow/calf sector and the feedlot sector. So I think technology is always improving and there’s always something new to see, that’s for sure.”

Gray attended last month’s Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Summer Beef Tour that featured a dairy using automated feeders.

“It actually looked like one of those old arcade games with the claw, and it was choosing what to put into the mix according to the time of day.”

Gray is president-elect of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association.