Shared Farming Done Right with Shared Cow Data

Liam is enthusiastic about using the CowManager system: “It’s fantastic. We have that data there so we can have an early go at AI-ing, put a programme in place for cows that are not cycling. And just the ease in general, to not have to worry about stickers or tail paint and all that stuff.”

Sharing Cow Data is Key

During breeding they use CowManager’s Fertility Module as their main heat detection tool. It also has a Fertility Insights feature that allows for a data deep dive into cows’ cycles. They monitor herd health around the clock with CowManager’s Health Module, which catches herd diseases early. Even better; it spots disease one or two days before a cow shows clinical signs of being ill.

“It’s just made it heaps easier”, Liam says.

Because CowManager’s service always includes the MultiView functionality, it also makes shared farming that much easier. Sharing cow data anytime, anywhere, with whoever you choose to add to the system. Simply add people’s email addresses to the system so they can view selected cow history and cow data, all the way back to the date of install. This way, the entire team is always up-to-speed, including vets, nutritionists, and AI-specialists.

Liam shares: “At the time we’re using sexed semen on all the heifers coming in and we started using sexed semen on the cows this year. We’re going off the data from the tags to see which cows have been cycling the most, which are the highest in fertility. It’s worked really well; we’ve had some really good conception rates.”

Lightening the Workload

On a personal note, Liam’s happy to be able to take some time off every now and again. Because he knows the herd is monitored by the system 24/7, even if he isn’t there himself to check on the cows. “I enjoy playing footy and that sort of stuff. And if I ever have a function or something like that, the next day I can have a sleep-in.”

Overall, the day-to-day workload is a bit lighter now as well, Liam says. “We can trust the system and know the cows are going to get caught, and everything’s right for the next day. All that the milker has to do, is to remember to shut the gates out the side. Everything else sorts itself out. I’ve been grateful for that a few times.”

Easier Life

Liam’s pretty practical about the benefits of using the CowManager cow monitoring system. In fact, when asked if he’d recommend it to neighbours or colleagues, he doesn’t even hesitate. “I’d definitely recommend CowManager to other farmers. It’s a great asset to have on your farm. It makes life a lot easier.”

Dairy News Australia

This article was also published by Dairy News Australia.