On a quiet dairy farm in Western Australia, the cows decide when they want to be milked. No farmers, no dawn routine, just robotics, solar power, and battery storage. At the Mostert Family Dairy, Holstein cows walk into the milking stall voluntarily, encouraged by tasty feed. Robotic arms clean, attach teat cups, and monitor milk flow, quality, and cow health, giving farmers a real-time window into their herd.


Australian dairy farm uses solar-powered robotic milking

A massive explosion at a dairy farm in west Texas state has killed more than 18,000 cows, making it the deadliest blaze for livestock on record in the United States.

According to USA Today, the figure is almost three times the number of cattle that are slaughtered every day across the US.

One person was also critically injured in the explosion at South Fork Dairy near the town of Dimmitt at Castro Country on Monday.

Mayor of Dimmitt, Roger Malone, described the number of cow deaths as “mind-boggling”, adding that it was a “real tragedy.”

Officials believe that a fire broke out in the machinery, which may have ignited methane gas.

Castro County’s top executive, County Judge Mandy Gfeller, said that a piece in the equipment malfunctioned at the farm and may have caused an explosion that led to the fire, reports BBC.

Texas officials are still investigating the real cause of the incident, she said.

It took almost a whole day for fire rescue officials to douse the blaze, which is said to have spread rapidly through the holding pens where thousands of dairy cows were crowded together and waiting to be milked.

One dairy farm worker was rescued and taken to hospital. As of Tuesday, the worker was in a critical but stable condition. There were no other human casualties.

Pictures of the incident shared on social media purportedly showed a large plume of black smoke billowing out of the facility.

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Explosion at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt Texas last night. The fire spread into the dairy cow holding pens, and an unknown amount of dairy cattle were killed by the fire and smoke. The cause of the fire is unknown. 
 
Yet another incident affecting food supply. <a href="https://t.co/4syPJicbng">pic.twitter.com/4syPJicbng</a>
— Janebond (@Janebon34813396) <a href="https://twitter.com/Janebon34813396/status/1645930123911213058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Sheriff Sal Rivera told local news outlet KFDA that most of the cattle had been lost after the blaze.

"There's some that survived… There's some that are probably injured to the point where they'll have to be destroyed," he was quoted as saying.

He said the investigators believed the fire might have started with a machine called "honey badger", which he described as a "vacuum that sucks the manure and water out."

"Possibly [it] got overheated and probably the methane and things like that ignited and spread out and exploded," he added.

According to reports, the 18,000 cows that have died account for 90 per cent of the farm’s total herd, with each valued at around $2,000. Officials believe that it might impact milk production in the state.

Castro County is the second-highest milk producing county in Texas. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the county has 15 dairies producing about 67,000 kg of milk a month.

According to the Texas Association of Dairymen. Texas is the fourth largest producer, with an estimated 625,000 cows producing almost 7.5 billion kilos of milk a year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A massive explosion at a dairy farm in west Texas state has killed more than 18,000 cows, making it the deadliest blaze for livestock on record in the United States.

A massive explosion at a dairy farm in west Texas state has killed more than 18,000 cows, making it the deadliest blaze for livestock on record in the United States. According to USA Today, the figure is almost three times the number of cattle that are slaughtered every day across the US. One person was also critically injured in the explosion at South Fork Dairy near the town of Dimmitt at Castro Country on Monday. Mayor of Dimmitt, Roger Malone, described the number of cow deaths as “mind-boggling”, adding that it was a “real tragedy.” Officials believe that a fire broke out in the machinery, which may have ignited methane gas. Castro County’s top executive, County Judge Mandy Gfeller, said that a piece in the equipment malfunctioned at the farm and may have caused an explosion that led to the fire, reports BBC. Texas officials are still investigating the real cause of the incident, she said. It took almost a whole day for fire rescue officials to douse the blaze, which is said to have spread rapidly through the holding pens where thousands of dairy cows were crowded together and waiting to be milked. One dairy farm worker was rescued and taken to hospital. As of Tuesday, the worker was in a critical but stable condition. There were no other human casualties. Pictures of the incident shared on social media purportedly showed a large plume of black smoke billowing out of the facility. Explosion at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt Texas last night. The fire spread into the dairy cow holding pens, and an unknown amount of dairy cattle were killed by the fire and smoke. The cause of the fire is unknown. Yet another incident affecting food supply. pic.twitter.com/4syPJicbng — Janebond (@Janebon34813396) April 11, 2023 × Sheriff Sal Rivera told local news outlet KFDA that most of the cattle had been lost after the blaze. "There's some that survived… There's some that are probably injured to the point where they'll have to be destroyed," he was quoted as saying. He said the investigators believed the fire might have started with a machine called "honey badger", which he described as a "vacuum that sucks the manure and water out." "Possibly [it] got overheated and probably the methane and things like that ignited and spread out and exploded," he added. According to reports, the 18,000 cows that have died account for 90 per cent of the farm’s total herd, with each valued at around $2,000. Officials believe that it might impact milk production in the state. Castro County is the second-highest milk producing county in Texas. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the county has 15 dairies producing about 67,000 kg of milk a month. According to the Texas Association of Dairymen. Texas is the fourth largest producer, with an estimated 625,000 cows producing almost 7.5 billion kilos of milk a year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

18,000 cows killed in massive explosion at US dairy farm

India's prominent milk suppliers Mother Dairy and Amul have increased their milk prices in Delhi-NCR and other cities by ₹2 per litre with effect from Wednesday. The price hike is due to an increase in their purchasing and other input expenses.

As reported&nbsp;by the Hindustan Times,&nbsp;Mother Dairy claimed that it had been "compelled" to increase the cost of liquid milk by $2 per litre. All milk varieties will be subject to the increased rates. The price of full cream milk has increased from Rs 59 to 61 per litre.

Also read |&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-is-lumpy-skin-disease-a-viral-infection-that-killed-thousands-of-cows-and-buffaloes-in-india-505309">Explained: What is Lumpy Skin Disease? This viral infection killed thousands of cows, buffaloes in India</a>

Prices&nbsp;of&nbsp;toned milk and double toned milk will increase to Rs 51&nbsp;per litre&nbsp;and Rs 45&nbsp;per litre respectively. The price of cow milk has increased to Rs&nbsp;53 per litre. The cost of token milk has increased from Rs&nbsp;46 to Rs&nbsp;48 per litre.

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells dairy products under the Amul brand, has increased prices in all the markets, including Ahmedabad and Saurashtra in Gujarat, Delhi NCR, West Bengal, and Mumbai.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Also watch |&nbsp;India@75: How White Revolution changed India's dairy industry

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India's prominent milk suppliers Mother Dairy and Amul have increased their milk prices in Delhi-NCR and other cities by ₹2 per litre with effect from Wednesday.

India's prominent milk suppliers Mother Dairy and Amul have increased their milk prices in Delhi-NCR and other cities by ₹2 per litre with effect from Wednesday. The price hike is due to an increase in their purchasing and other input expenses. As reported by the Hindustan Times, Mother Dairy claimed that it had been "compelled" to increase the cost of liquid milk by $2 per litre. All milk varieties will be subject to the increased rates. The price of full cream milk has increased from Rs 59 to 61 per litre. Also read | Explained: What is Lumpy Skin Disease? This viral infection killed thousands of cows, buffaloes in India Prices of toned milk and double toned milk will increase to Rs 51 per litre and Rs 45 per litre respectively. The price of cow milk has increased to Rs 53 per litre. The cost of token milk has increased from Rs 46 to Rs 48 per litre. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells dairy products under the Amul brand, has increased prices in all the markets, including Ahmedabad and Saurashtra in Gujarat, Delhi NCR, West Bengal, and Mumbai. (With inputs from agencies) Also watch | India@75: How White Revolution changed India's dairy industry

India: Mother Dairy, Amul increase milk prices by Rs 2 per litre from Wednesday

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