June 3, 2026 – CowManager, a technology leader in smart cow monitoring solutions, is strengthening its herd management platform with the development of a Milk Sensor designed to deliver faster, more informed decision-making around mastitis detection and the milking process.
CowManager research continues to show that early mastitis detection is one of the top priorities for dairy producers around the world. Producers recognize the significant long-term impact mastitis can have on a cow’s lifetime milk production, making investment in early detection and timely intervention especially valuable.
Built from a deep understanding of how dairy farms operate every day, the new Milk Sensor technology delivers precise, real-time insights at both the cow and parlor level. The system monitors individual cows per quarter liner, providing early mastitis detection while also evaluating milking equipment and milker performance for quality and efficiency.
The system will measure conductivity, vacuum, temperature, milk production, and milk flow just a few inches below each teat, providing highly accurate early warnings for mastitis and information about milk quality. This level of precision unlocks a powerful new layer of actionable insights.
Early warnings are clearly communicated through a flashing light on the transparent sensor, via automated voice, on the screen in the parlor, or on the app.
The Milk Sensor also helps uncover irregularities in the milking parlor that often go unnoticed, even in modern systems. Issues such as vacuum drops, overmilking, and improperly cleaned units can negatively impact milk quality and cow health.
The system provides real-time alerts for suboptimal milking parlor performance, along with valuable insights into milking quality and efficiency. This enables producers to take timely corrective action before small irregularities turn into major herd health problems or costly downtime.
The Milk Sensor further strengthens CowManager’s connected herd management platform by combining these new insights with existing real-time monitoring for health, fertility, nutrition, transition, and youngstock.
Together with technologies such as the CowManager Sort Gate and cow locating tools, the system allows producers to manage proactively, improve animal health, and keep daily operations running with greater confidence, efficiency and profitability.
“At CowManager, innovation starts with understanding what producers truly need on the farm,” says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager.
“We work closely with dairy producers around the world every day, and that perspective continues to shape what we build. Our goal is not simply to add more technology, but to develop solutions that move dairy operations forward. Our new Milk Sensor, provides producers greater control over herd performance and daily operations. The results we are already seeing from early on-farm trials confirm the significant impact of this technology.”
CowManager is introducing the Milk Sensor with two monitoring solutions: Mastitis and Parlor. The company plans to expand the platform with additional solutions built on the same sensor technology, creating even more opportunities for producers to strengthen herd performance and daily farm management.
The Milk Sensor is designed for simple installation and ease of use, featuring a wireless, low-maintenance setup compatible with a wide range of parlor brands. CowManager will officially introduce the system later in 2026, with wider-scale availability planned for 2027.
The Milk Sensor adds a new layer of insights – quarter-level milk data that connects to the health and performance signals you’re already tracking with CowManager ear sensors.
Sign up now to be first in line for Milk Sensor updates, trial insights and availability announcements.
Stay Up to DateA new year on the farm doesn’t start with big promises. It starts with feeding cows, watching behavior, making breeding decisions, and trying to stay ahead of problems before they cost time, money, or affect animal health.
CowManager Farmer Stories are built on real, day-to-day use of the system – across different herd sizes, farming systems, climates, and countries.
At the end of 2025, many farmers let us know how they like working with CowManager. By sharing their feedback with us, we continue to tailor our service to their needs. And by sharing these voices, farmers can learn from each other and make better-informed decisions for their own operations.
No matter where a farm is located, cost is always part of the conversation. In Ireland, dairy farmer Sean Corby put it plainly: “Like all farmers, I’d like tools to be cheaper – but CowManager is a fantastic product and working very well here so far.”
That balance between investment and results is familiar everywhere. Farmers weigh every decision carefully, and value becomes clear only when a system proves itself over time.
For Canadian farmer Lynn Moore, that proof came through years of use. “I believe I’ve had CowManager since 2015 and I couldn’t be happier. It’s an excellent product; keep it up!”
Sticking with a system for nearly a decade isn’t about features on paper. It’s about consistency, trust, and knowing the system supports better decisions year after year.
Want to read more real farmer experiences? Visit cowmanager.com/farmer-stories and see how dairy farmers around the world use CowManager to stay ahead of the herd. Or check out the CowManager YouTube channel for more Farmer Stories videos.
With the right results and support, a tool becomes a partnership.
For many farmers, confidence in technology grows step by step. In the United States, producer Ryan Carbaugh from Waterside Farm described how results in one part of the operation led to broader adoption.
“I enjoy CowManager. It really works. We started using it on our heifers and had instant success: heifers bred on first and second services. We’re now experimenting with it in our tie stall barn and pasture setup. Seeing those results made me jump in.”
That’s how technology earns its place on a farm. Not through promises, but by delivering results where it matters most.
For others, the value goes beyond performance alone. Catching issues early can make the difference between a small intervention and a serious setback – for both cows and farmers.
In Germany, animal welfare is a top priority for farmer Uwe Petzold: “We’re very satisfied. From an animal welfare point of view, I think the system should be mandatory. We were able to treat cows before major problems occurred.”
Real experiences – positive, critical, and practical – help set realistic expectations and support better decisions on-farm.
As this new year gets underway, these voices reflect what dairy farming truly looks like: constant decisions, tight margins, and a clear focus on tools and services that help keep cows healthier and farms running more efficiently.
Come meet us at many dairy events this year! We’d love to connect and discuss all things cow monitoring. You can find our CowManager Specialists at events all over the globe. Check out our dairy events calendar for 2026.
L-R: Chris Sigurdson, CEO SSMC; Brandon Thesing, Key Account Manager SSMC; Dan Curtin, Schaap’s SSMC Sales Representative; Thijs Griffioen, CowManager; Jared Krull, CowManager; Alexander van Tienhoven, CowManager.
December 18, 2025 – CowManager, a global leader in smart cow monitoring solutions, recently recognized its CowManager Success Story of the Year, Up and Coming CowManager Specialist, CowManager Specialist of the Year, and the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award winner during the winter CowManager Training Summit.
“It is an honor to recognize these award winners and share their success stories,” says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager. “Our partnership with Select Sires allows us to collaborate with industry leaders and exceptional U.S. dairy producers. We are proud to take part in this summit and celebrate those who exceed expectations.”
Schaap Dairies, based in Eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle, has been named the 2025 CowManager Success Story of the Year. The Schaap Family Dairy network includes three operations—Pleasant Hill Dairy, High Lonesome Dairy and North Point Dairy—collectively managing about 20,000 cows.
The dairies first experienced CowManager through an XL Program trial and have since fully implemented the system, including the company’s sort-gate technology at all three locations. Since then, they’ve seen notable improvements in pregnancy, conception and heat-detection rates, resulting in stronger overall reproductive performance.
Carson Hillberg of Select Sires Members Cooperative in California has been named the 2025 Up-and-Coming CowManager Specialist. Hillberg was recognized for consistently going above and beyond for both colleagues and customers, exemplifying what it means to be a true team player. He has played a pivotal role in the success of the XL Program, guiding large-herd dairies from initial trials through full adoption.
His contributions extend across several key areas, including CowManager sort gates, calf trials, blinking wand technology and system integrations. Hillberg is also on track to finish near the top of the leaderboard for tag sales in 2025.
L-R: Thijs Griffioen, CowManager; Dr Ray Nebel; Brandon Thesing, Key Account Manager SSMC; Chris Sigurdson, CEO SSMC; Jared Krull, CowManager; Alexander van Tienhoven, CowManager.
L-R: Tom Stigter, CowManager; Thijs Griffioen, CowManager; Jared Krull, CowManager; Alexander van Tienhoven, CowManager.
Matt Staner of CentralStar Cooperative in Wisconsin earned the 2025 CowManager Specialist of the Year Award. This award honors Stef Booijink and is given annually to a Specialist who demonstrates exceptional system knowledge, extensive installation experience and expert guidance on system integration.
Staner was recognized for his passion for the product, outstanding customer support and meticulous attention to detail. His accomplishments in 2025 include completing six installations, further underscoring his dedication and expertise.
Brandon Thesing of Select Sires Member Coop in Minnesota received the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award. This award honors Ray Nebel, Ph.D., retired vice president of technical services and a driving force behind Select Sires’ partnership with CowManager. Thesing was recognized for his exceptional work ethic, collaborative approach to promoting and selling CowManager, and his commitment to going above and beyond to meet customer needs. A true advocate for the cow monitoring system, he is dedicated to making a meaningful, everyday difference for producers.
In addition, CowManager recognized Jared Krull for his outstanding leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. As Vice President of Sales and Service at CowManager USA, Krull has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth across the United States.
His strategic vision and hands-on support have helped producers not only adopt CowManager’s technology, but also maximize its value on their operations. His contributions continue to strengthen CowManager’s presence in the U.S. market and elevate the success of producers nationwide.
At CowManager, we believe a successful dairy producer is a prepared dairy producer. With our revolutionary cow monitoring ear sensors, we ensure they’re always ahead and prepared for what’s coming, with actionable insights. We believe in working together to help dairy farmers reach their goals, whatever their ambitions are. Whether they have 20 or 20,000 cows; with CowManager they’ll have eyes on all of them.
In the United States, CowManager is distributed and supported by Select Sires Inc. For more information on CowManager, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires.
CowManager, the global leader in smart dairy cow monitoring technology, is proud to have sponsored the World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tour featuring Wagner Farms Inc. of Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. For more than two decades, Expo’s Virtual Farm Tours have showcased some of the world’s most progressive dairy operations, highlighting excellence in genetics, technology, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and cow comfort.
This year’s tour, hosted on Friday, October 3, 2025 in Mendota 1 of the Exhibition Hall, spotlighted the Wagners’ fifth-generation dairy and their deep commitment to people, animals, and the environment.
Owned and operated by Hank and Pam Wagner, along with their son Shawn Wagner and daughter Laura Raatz and her husband Tyler Raatz, Wagner Farms is home to 950 cows milked in a double-16 parallel parlor. The family’s focus is on developing functional cows that combine strong production with good health traits for long-term sustainability.
During the Virtual Farm Tour, Laura Raatz delivered an engaging and inspiring presentation, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the family’s daily operations, technology integration, and commitment to continuous improvement. Her thoughtful insights and enthusiasm reflected the family’s dedication to both their people and their cows, earning praise from attendees for her clarity, warmth, and authenticity.
At Wagner Farms, People are the cornerstone of success. Team members are treated as an extension of the Wagner family, contributing to a farm culture rooted in teamwork, efficiency, and enjoyment. The Wagner’s believe that creating an environment where people love what they do helps fuel passion and drive long-term success. Mentorship, milestone celebrations, and camaraderie are everyday parts of life on the farm.
Animals are at the heart of every decision. From birth, calves receive attentive care guided by precise management systems—including the CowManager Youngstock Monitor. This technology supports growth rates exceeding 2.5 pounds per day and has helped the farm achieve an exceptional near 0% death loss—or as they proudly describe it, a 100% survival rate.
Environmental stewardship is equally important to the Wagners. As a demonstration site for conservation practices, Wagner Farms showcases innovative systems that enhance productivity while protecting natural resources. Their autonomous irrigation system delivers water and nutrients directly to crops, reducing nutrient loss, lowering costs, easing manure management, and increasing yields—demonstrating how technology can drive both sustainability and profitability.
CowManager’s sponsorship of the Wagner Farms Virtual Tour reflects its mission to empower dairy producers with data-driven insights that improve herd performance, animal welfare, and farm efficiency. Through innovations such as lifetime monitoring, the CowManager App, and the award-winning Youngstock Monitor, producers can make proactive decisions that lead to healthier cows and more efficient operations.
“Supporting events like the World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours allows us to highlight producers who exemplify the best in dairy farming,” said Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager. “The Wagner family represents the spirit of innovation, care, and leadership that defines the dairy industry today.”
Curious to dive into the data? Request a free Demo and get a glimpse of the system.
Request a Free DemoMadison, USA – September 30, 2025 – CowManager is proud to unveil its latest innovation, Find my Cow Flash—a smart, time-saving solution that helps producers locate a cow, heifer or calf. Featuring a built-in flashing LED on the CowManager ear sensor, the Find my Cow Flash light is activated remotely via the CowManager smartphone app or desktop. Producers can now easily identify individual animals that need extra attention, whether in a crowded pen, during sorting, or in low visibility conditions.
“If a cow is in heat, sick or in the wrong pen, Find my Cow Flash helps producers cut down on labor and boost daily efficiency. Calf raisers also benefit—the flashing light makes it easier to quickly identify and locate a sick calf, whether she’s lying down in a hutch or in a group pen,” says Gerard Griffioen, CowManager founder.
“We’re excited to deliver a smart, integrated solution that simplifies complex tasks—because finding the right animal shouldn’t slow a producer down.”
Find my Cow Flash is fully integrated with all CowManager solutions. This tool empowers producers to take immediate action following a health, fertility or location alert, saving valuable time, labor and operational costs; minimizing lock-up times; and reducing stress on both cows and the farm team.
From large-scale dairies to smaller operations, Find my Cow Flash is designed to boost productivity across all herd sizes. The system increases accuracy and helps ensure that no alerts or actions are missed. “It’s a practical, effective tool for farms aiming to improve overall herd management and profitability,” says Griffioen.
For more information about CowManager and Find my Cow Flash, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires. Also, visit CowManager at World Dairy Expo Booth 4204 for a Find my Cow Flash demonstration.
Joanna Frankenberg
Email: j.frankenberg@cowmanager.com
Note: Contact us if you’d like an image of the flashing ear sensor.
At CowManager, we are committed to providing dairy farmers with the tools they need to succeed. Our revolutionary cow monitoring ear sensors help farmers stay ahead with actionable insights on herd health, nutrition, fertility, and more. Whether you have 20 or 125,000 cows, CowManager ensures that farmers always have eyes on their herd.
Hamilton, New Zealand – August 14, 2025 – CowManager, a global leader in smart cow monitoring solutions, is excited to announce the establishment of its own office in Hamilton, New Zealand. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in CowManager’s journey, bringing us closer to our New Zealand customers and enhancing the service, support, and innovation that our farmers rely on. The official transition to CowManager NZ will take place on Saturday, August 16.
Since tagging our first cow in New Zealand in 2014, CowManager has steadily grown to support hundreds of forward-thinking farms across the country. Over the past 10 years, our presence has built a solid foundation, and now, with a direct presence in New Zealand, CowManager is accelerating its efforts and continuing to help farmers thrive with enhanced support and capabilities.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth and success over the years, and now it’s time to take the next step,” says Jared Bekhuis, Managing Director of CowManager NZ.
“By adding specialists and establishing our direct presence in New Zealand, we’re enhancing our capabilities to deliver faster, more expert service exactly where it’s needed. At the same time, we are expanding our portfolio with exciting innovations like Draft my Cow, the Youngstock Monitor, and Find my Cow Flash. These new solutions will provide our farmers with even more powerful tools to optimize their operations and improve herd management. And we’re just getting started-keep an eye out for even more cutting-edge advancements that will further transform the way we support our farmers.”
This transition opens an exciting new chapter for CowManager. With more resources and local expertise, we’re better positioned to offer tailored solutions and increased responsiveness, helping farmers achieve even greater success with our innovative solutions.
“New Zealand’s dairy sector is world-renowned for its excellence,” Bekhuis adds. “We’re proud to contribute to its ongoing success and invest in the future of every farmer we serve.”
The contracts between CowManager and our valued customers will remain unchanged. Your terms, support, and service remain intact, with no alterations to your agreement.
With a stronger local presence, CowManager NZ will work even harder to deliver the best possible experience for our farmers. As always, we are here to ensure that you’re well-supported and prepared for whatever comes next in your dairy operation.
We look forward to continuing our journey together and working with you to achieve even greater success.
At CowManager, we are committed to providing dairy farmers with the tools they need to succeed. Our revolutionary cow monitoring ear sensors help farmers stay ahead with actionable insights on herd health, nutrition, fertility, and more. Whether you have 20 or 125,000 cows, CowManager ensures that farmers always have eyes on their herd. Learn more at www.cowmanager.com/newzealand.
CowManager, the proven cow monitoring system that provides actionable insights about fertility, health, transition and nutrition, will feature the company’s new Sort my Cow sort gate at World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. The labor-saving sort gate will be in action at Booth 6516 in the Farm Credit Dairy Center, and the CowManager team is providing live demonstrations and answering questions about the new technology.
Sort my Cow works by receiving alerts from CowManager ear sensors, allowing producers to automatically or manually via the app divert cows that need attention, all while maintaining smooth cow flow. This sort gate increases labor efficiency, shortens lock-up times and improves cow welfare. Its double ID system ensures fast, accurate sorting, while the pneumatic-free design results in minimal noise during operation, reducing cow stress. Made in the USA, the gate’s stainless-steel design is built to last in extreme temperatures and tough conditions.
The CowManager team also is featuring the new award-winning Youngstock Monitor at World Ag Expo. This new comprehensive solution to monitor calf behavior helps producers track calves’ crucial development periods and improve calf health and welfare. Lightweight ear sensors offer timely alerts for early disease detection, leading to quicker interventions, lower treatment intensity and a reduced reliance on antibiotics.
Want to learn more about Sort my Cow and the CowManager sorting gate? Simply fill out the form on the right to receive a free brochure with all the details. Discover how our innovative solutions can streamline your herd management. Don’t miss out — get your free copy today!
Download BrochureIn addition, producers visiting the booth can see live demonstrations of the new CowManager App, which automatically adjusts to any mobile screen, making it easier to read and navigate. The app includes enhanced functionalities, including the CowManager dashboard, insemination window and calf health monitoring, plus it allows producers to enter events and genomic data.
“We’re excited to feature these new innovations at World Ag Expo and help dairy producers work more efficiently and effectively,” says Gerard Griffioen, CowManager founder. “We strive to continually inspire better monitoring methods with our data-driven approach and technological expertise and look forward to visiting with producers in our booth.”
CowManager introduces Youngstock Monitor, a new comprehensive solution to monitor calf behavior.
This innovative system provides real-time alerts for early disease detection and notifies producers when a calf may be falling behind its herd mates. With Youngstock Monitor and the new lightweight CowManager ear sensor, producers need just one sensor per animal for its entire lifetime, from calf to cow.
Powered by artificial intelligence with ever-evolving algorithms, Youngstock Monitor adapts to each operation and the behavioral development of each calf, allowing producers to make farm-specific predictions on the health of their individual calves and focus treatment in a targeted way.
The calf health alerts come in three levels: suspicious, sick and very sick, and detect subtle behavioral changes associated with illness often missed through visual observation. These alerts help facilitate quicker interventions, lower treatment intensity, reduce reliance on antibiotics and decrease mortality rates. Effective calf health management leads to increased future milk production and a healthier, more productive herd.
“With our innovative calf alerts, we can now monitor from calf to cow, for an animal’s entire lifetime. That is the CowManager vision”, says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager. “This approach helps producers maximize performance and build the foundation for a productive and healthy herd.”
Youngstock Monitor earned a Silver Medal Innovation Award at EuroTier 2024 and is now available in several countries.
Read on for more information on monitoring youngstock.
Our Artificial Intelligence algorithm tailors the calf health alerts to your specific farm, to help you optimize your calf management at every stage of their behavioral development.
Fulfill your calves' genetic potential. Effective health management from calf to cow not only unveils the best of their genetic potential but also leads to increased future milk production.
Our lightweight sensor is designed to last a lifetime, offering a seamless and continuous monitoring solution tailored to your specific farm and your cow's life phase.
CowManager introduces Sort my Cow in the United States, the newest sort gate technology that combines labor savings, technology integration and operational efficiency.
After receiving alerts from CowManager ear sensors, Sort my Cow allows producers to automatically or manually via the app divert cows that need attention, all while maintaining smooth cow flow and minimizing disruption to the rest of the herd. Its double ID system ensures fast, accurate sorting, and the pneumatic-free design features minimal noise during operation, helping to reduce cow stress. Sort my Cow is standard RFID compatible and integrates with DairyComp and PCDART for easy sorting via the CowManager app.
“More than just a gate, Sort my Cow is a cow-friendly service that seamlessly integrates CowManager ear sensor monitoring with smart sorting technology to reduce labor needs, increase efficiency, shorten lock-up times, and improve cow welfare and profits,” says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager. “With Sort my Cow, producers don’t have to search for a cow that needs attention. If she’s on the list, she’ll be diverted one direction while the rest of the herd goes the other direction back to their pen. We’re thrilled to launch yet another tool to help producers stay one step ahead.”
Sort my Cow is crafted from premium U.S.-made stainless steel and uses electromagnets for locking, eliminating the need for a compressor. Built to last in extreme temperatures and tough conditions, it is designed with minimal points of mechanical wear and tear, ensuring durability and reliable performance. In addition, Sort my Cow is easy to install and requires only one day to set up the service.
Read more information about Sort my Cow.
Separate and sort in one go. Advanced double identification technology with minimal noise, reducing herd stress.
Standard RFID compatible, integrates with herd management systems for easy sorting via the CowManager app.
Electromagnet locks, no compressor needed. Premium US-made stainless steel that can handle extreme temperatures.
May 16, 2024 – CowManager® is pleased to announce the winners of three awards handed out at the recent Select Sires Trusted Advisors Conference, including the CowManager Specialist of the Year, CowManager Success Story of the Year and the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award.
“We’re thrilled to highlight success stories from this past year and honor those exceeding expectations,” says Gerard Griffioen, CowManager founder. “We truly value our partnership with Select Sires in the United States. It was a special day to participate in the conference and recognize these award winners.”
Dr. Fernando Alvarez took home the 2024 CowManager Specialist of the Year Award, an honor bestowed annually to a Specialist who went above and beyond with exceptional knowledge of the CowManager system, expansive installation experience and expert counsel about system integration. Dr. Alvarez, the director of Select Sires Member Cooperative–Mexico and a Select Sires team member since 2002, has been instrumental in launching CowManager in Mexico and meeting customer needs. He had a stellar year helping install thousands of CowManager ear sensors into several large herds and educating producers on the value the system brings to each operation.
Winning the 2024 CowManager Success Story of the Year was Stephen Mast from D & M Ag. Mast has been using CowManager for more than a year at his California dairy, and he gives praise to the time and labor savings his farm team has already experienced as a result. His favorite feature of the cow monitoring system is the ability to know what to expect from his cows before he even arrives at the dairy in the morning, whether it’s a list of potential sick cows or fresh cows to keep an eye on or cows to breed.
Stef Booijink received the Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award. This award is dedicated in honor of Ray Nebel, Ph.D., retired vice president of technical services and a driving force behind Select Sires’ involvement with CowManager. Booijink, a seven-year
CowManager employee, received the award for the impact he has had on the cow monitoring industry and his significant contributions to building CowManager’s success in the U.S. As a sales and support specialist, Booijink has helped countless CowManager Specialists and dairy producer customers maximize the monitoring system and help keep cows healthy and more profitable.