dp_2025_02_01 - 66
FEATURED TECH EXPERT
Simon Drake
Executive vice president, Ever.Ag Data Labs
Simon Drake is a data science executive and executive vice president of data science solutions at Ever.Ag. He is known for
integrating advanced analytical techniques into the global food suppl chain. Previously, Simon was chief executive officer of
Austin Data Labs, an AI-based SaaS company that delivers data science solutions crucial for the commodity agriculture, and
food and beverage sectors globally.
Drake's career spans more than 15 years, marked by significant contributions in data analysis and leadership in retail
and manufacturing. Before Austin Data Labs, he worked at SignalDemand from 2006 to 2013, where he helped
implement optimization solutions aligned with clients' strategic goals as a solution architect and director
of services.
Before SignalDemand, Drake served at KhiMetrics, leading a team to develop pricing
optimization strategies, which contributed to its acquisition by SAP. He holds a bachelor's degree
in theoretical physics from York University.
In 2024, under Drake's leadership, Ever.Ag Data Labs launched a yield optimization feature,
which feeds the data being created within dairy processing plants into an AI model to predict and
improve the production outcomes.
WHAT IS CHEESE YIELD OPTIMIZATION?
Cheese Yield Optimization (CYO) refers to the practice of
maximizing the amount of cheese produced from a given
amount of milk input. Essentially, it is about achieving the
greatest possible cheese output using the least amount of
resources. CYO employs advanced data science, including
machine learning and AI algorithms, to analyze the vast array
of data collected in dairy plants. By identifying patterns and
insights, it provides actionable recommendations to enhance
cheese yield. Thus, CYO can be considered a best practice
towards sustainability, increasing revenue and profitability,
while at the same time reducing the material costs and waste,
essentially doing more with less.
HOW DOES CYO BENEFIT
CHEESE PROCESSORS?
CYO benefits cheese processors by transforming raw data into
actionable insights, which can significantly boost productivity
and efficiency. By leveraging data science to optimize cheese
yield, processors can significantly increase their revenue, even
with marginal improvements. A tiny enhancement in yield can
translate into significant additional revenue, potentially reaching
millions of dollars for large processing plants. Additionally, CYO
not only enhances yield, but also helps in managing input costs
and improving the quality of the cheese produced, leading to a
more profitable and efficient production process.
66 JAN-FEB 2025 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
HOW DOES CYO AFFECT MARGIN YIELDS?
CYO positively impacts margin yields by reducing the
input costs required to produce cheese. By optimizing
the formulation based on market conditions (like cream
multiples). In addition, the ability to hit a target with more
accuracy means that the processor can increase its average
moisture level while avoiding the creation of undergrade
cheese. Moreover, by reducing the amount of undergrade
cheese, processors can enhance profitability further. Bringing
together yield optimization with quality management can
create substantial economic benefits, significantly impacting
margin yields.
WHAT CONSIDERATIONS NEED TO BE MADE
BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THIS TYPE OF
TECHNOLOGY?
Before implementing CYO technology, processors need to
evaluate their current data collection processes and ensure they
have the necessary historical data available. Running an initial
assessment is crucial to determine whether there is sufficient
data to conduct an accurate yield prediction and control which
parameters might be adjusted. Integration will likely involve
digitizing manual or outdated processes, using expert guidance
to navigate this transition smoothly. A partnership approach in
which subject matter experts help assess and implement the
technology can ensure maximum benefit from CYO.
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
dp_2025_02_01
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of dp_2025_02_01
dp_2025_02_01 - Intro
dp_2025_02_01 - FC1
dp_2025_02_01 - FC2
dp_2025_02_01 - 1
dp_2025_02_01 - 2
dp_2025_02_01 - 3
dp_2025_02_01 - 4
dp_2025_02_01 - 5
dp_2025_02_01 - 6
dp_2025_02_01 - 7
dp_2025_02_01 - 8
dp_2025_02_01 - 9
dp_2025_02_01 - 10
dp_2025_02_01 - 11
dp_2025_02_01 - 12
dp_2025_02_01 - 13
dp_2025_02_01 - 14
dp_2025_02_01 - 15
dp_2025_02_01 - 16
dp_2025_02_01 - 17
dp_2025_02_01 - 18
dp_2025_02_01 - 19
dp_2025_02_01 - 20
dp_2025_02_01 - 21
dp_2025_02_01 - 22
dp_2025_02_01 - 23
dp_2025_02_01 - 24
dp_2025_02_01 - 25
dp_2025_02_01 - 26
dp_2025_02_01 - 27
dp_2025_02_01 - 28
dp_2025_02_01 - 29
dp_2025_02_01 - 30
dp_2025_02_01 - 31
dp_2025_02_01 - 32
dp_2025_02_01 - 33
dp_2025_02_01 - 34
dp_2025_02_01 - 35
dp_2025_02_01 - 36
dp_2025_02_01 - 37
dp_2025_02_01 - 38
dp_2025_02_01 - 39
dp_2025_02_01 - 40
dp_2025_02_01 - 41
dp_2025_02_01 - 42
dp_2025_02_01 - 43
dp_2025_02_01 - 44
dp_2025_02_01 - 45
dp_2025_02_01 - 46
dp_2025_02_01 - 47
dp_2025_02_01 - 48
dp_2025_02_01 - 49
dp_2025_02_01 - 50
dp_2025_02_01 - 51
dp_2025_02_01 - 52
dp_2025_02_01 - 53
dp_2025_02_01 - 54
dp_2025_02_01 - 55
dp_2025_02_01 - 56
dp_2025_02_01 - 57
dp_2025_02_01 - 58
dp_2025_02_01 - 59
dp_2025_02_01 - 60
dp_2025_02_01 - 61
dp_2025_02_01 - 62
dp_2025_02_01 - 63
dp_2025_02_01 - 64
dp_2025_02_01 - 65
dp_2025_02_01 - 66
dp_2025_02_01 - 67
dp_2025_02_01 - 68
dp_2025_02_01 - 69
dp_2025_02_01 - 70
dp_2025_02_01 - 71
dp_2025_02_01 - 72
dp_2025_02_01 - 73
dp_2025_02_01 - 74
dp_2025_02_01 - 75
dp_2025_02_01 - 76
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dp_2025_02_01
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-aug-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2024
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-august-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2023
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-november-december-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-october-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-july-august-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-may-june-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-march-april-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-january-february-2022
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-december-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-september-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-june-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/dairy-processing-april-2021
https://digital.dairyprocessing.com/sosland/dp/2020_12_01
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com