Built from a deep understanding of how dairy farms operate every day, the new technology delivers precise, real-time insights at both the cow and shed level. The system monitors individual cows per quarter liner, identifying early warnings for mastitis and monitoring milking equipment and operator performance on quality and efficiency.

A New Layer of Actionable Insights with an Early Warning for Mastitis

Measuring conductivity, vacuum, temperature, milk yield, and milk flow speed just a few centimeters below each teat provides highly accurate early warnings for mastitis. This level of measurement creates a full layer of new actionable insights.

Early warnings are surfaced via a flashing red light on the transparent sensor, automated voice on the screen in the cow shed, or through the app.

CowManager research continues to show that earlier mastitis detection remains one of the top priorities for dairy farmers across many parts of the world. Farmers increasingly recognise the significant long-term impact mastitis can have on a cow’s lifetime milk production, making investment in early warning and timely intervention highly valuable.

Cow Shed Monitoring

In addition to cow-level insights, the CowManager Milk Sensor will provide greater visibility into cow shed performance. Irregularities in the milking process, such as overmilking and suboptimal milk flow, can be identified at the individual cow level.

These issues may contribute to mastitis, reduced udder health, and milk quality. The Milk Sensor also enables farmers to evaluate milking performance from both a quality and production perspective.

Expanding the Connected CowManager Platform

The Milk Sensor further strengthens CowManager’s connected herd management platform by combining insights with existing real-time monitoring for health, fertility, nutrition, transition, and youngstock.

Together with technologies such as the CowManager Draft Gate and cow locating tools, the system allows farmers to manage proactively, improve animal health, and keep daily operations moving forward with greater confidence and efficiency.

“At CowManager, innovation starts with understanding what farmers truly need on the farm,” says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager.

“We work closely with dairy farmers 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 build solutions that move dairy operations forward. This new Milk Sensor expands what farmers can see, understand, and act on during milking, giving them greater control over herd performance and daily operations. The results we are already seeing in early on-farm trials confirm the impact this technology can have. We are introducing the Milk Sensor with two modules: Mastitis and Shed. We plan to expand the platform with additional modules built on the same sensor technology, creating even more opportunities for farmers 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 milking system brands. CowManager officially introduces the system later in 2026, with wider availability planned for 2027.

Questions?

• Media Contact: CowManager
• Jemma Brooking, Area Marketing Manager Oceania
• Email: j.brooking@cowmanager.com

One Story, Many Farms

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.

From Tool to Partnership

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, farmer 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.”

Why These Stories Matter

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.

A Decade of Growth and Success

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.”

What This Means for You

The contracts between CowManager and our valued customers will remain unchanged. Your terms, support, and service remain intact, with no alterations to your agreement.

• All current dealer employees will continue with CowManager NZ, along with additional new team members to enhance our support network.
• Our new office will be located at 3/137 Ossie James Drive, Hamilton Airport.
• You can reach us at our new office phone number: 0800 – 770566 or support@cowmanager.com per Saturday, August 16.
• We’ll be providing new contact details for your respective contact people, including support staff. They will be in touch soon to share their updated contact information, ensuring a smooth transition.

Looking Ahead

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.

About CowManager

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.

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, farmers 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 behavioural development of each calf, allowing farmers to make farm-specific predictions on the health of their individual calves and focus treatment in a targeted way.

Monitor Calf Health

The calf health alerts come in three levels: suspicious, sick and very sick, and detect subtle behavioural 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 maximise performance and build the foundation for a productive and healthy herd.”

Innovation Award

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.

We’ve Got You Sorted

After receiving alerts from CowManager ear sensors, Sort my Cow allows farmers to automatically or manually via the app divert cows that need attention, all while maintaining smooth cow flow and minimising 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 a Gate

“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 labour needs, increase efficiency, shorten lock-up times, and improve cow welfare and profits,” says Gerard Griffioen, founder of CowManager.

“With Sort my Cow, farmers 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 farmers stay one step ahead.”

Sort my Cow is crafted from premium US-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.

CowManager Drafting Gate

There’s also a CowManager drafting gate available, made in and for New Zealand. Check out Draft my Cow.

Electronic Heat Detection System

With CowManager you’re likely to never miss a heat. When cows are tagged with the orange ear sensor, the system recognises peak heats, pregnancies, non-cycling cows and potential abortions. It also helps you keep detailed records of all your cows’ cycles. This way, you and your staff can keep detailed records of everything leading up to, during, and after insemination. Record insemination dates, sire information, and any fertility testing results.

The small orange ear sensor fits around an official animal identification RFID tag or blank tag and stays put thanks to an effective attachment mechanism. In a single action, you can place the sensor in a cow’s ear. It’s easy to remove and attach to another cow, too.

The data from the ear sensors is measured and collected 24/7 in real-time. Data is then transmitted from the sensors and collected by wireless routers, which can be placed anywhere inside or outside. All data is sent to the user’s pc and smartphone.

No More Guesswork

Brett Membrey, a dairy farmer in Victoria, Australia, has used CowManager for years now. The heat detection system has made his daily workload more efficient. Because heat detection on over 1000 cows can take up a lot of time in your schedule. It also changed his results for the better.

He elaborates: “With different staff members milking each day, the chances of missing heats or drafting cows not on heat increased dramatically. We were spending six to seven hours a day heat detecting while milking. With CowManager, it takes 10 minutes a day – and now we’re getting it right.”

On the other side of the globe, Lee Maassen and his sons run a dairy operation in Iowa, USA. For them, the heat detection system has also changed the way they work on-farm.

“We can trust the monitoring, spend our time on the animals that need it according to the system, and know that the rest of herd is doing okay and don’t need intervention. Walking through the barn for hours is no longer necessary”, son Aaron says.

Brother Adam agrees that it’s taken out the guesswork. They used to try and spot cows in heat from the feed truck, which wasn’t ideal. “Now, when I go in the freestyle barn and they’re laying down, they’re in a perfect heat and they can be bred. We’re catching more cows in heat on their natural heat than we were before.

Detect More Than Just Heats

Cow heat detection isn’t the only aspect CowManager excels in. It also gives dairy producers real-time information about their herd’s health, nutritional status, as well as how cows are doing during transition. Users will receive an alert to point out which cow needs attention and why. And of course, they can always check on a cow or a group, wherever and whenever. All the information they need is at their fingertips. And that kind of freedom and peace of mind is priceless.

Our promises to you:

A partnership with CowManager is more than just business; it’s a partnership. Just like in a marriage, we stand by our farmers day and night. Consider CowManager your dairy farming partner for life.

• Just like in a marriage, where trust and understanding are key, our ear sensors ensure you’re always in tune with your herd.
• We’re your friend in the field. From tech-savvy solutions to good old-fashioned local advice. Whether you’re tackling tough seasons or celebrating improved results. We’re here for you, 24/7. With local support always at your fingertips, we’re committed to making your farm management as smooth as possible.
• Our lifetime warranty is more than a promise. It’s a commitment to your success. We’re by your side, every step of the way to build a long lasting partnership. Ready to invest in your future dairy cow management?
• We’re all ears. Your needs shape our solutions. Building relationships comes first, so we can keep developing products you actually need. We launch bi-weekly updates, based on your suggestions and feedback. From new system features to local support and personalised advice, we’ve got your back.
• With seamless integration with herd management systems worldwide, you’ll never have to worry about duplicate entries or edits.
• We help you optimise your dairy operations, boost on-farm efficiency, and make sure your herd thrives. And it’s because of your cows’ data and feedback from the field that we’re able to continuously improve. Together, we can do better!

We’re here to build a partnership that lasts. Ready to partner up?

From Tradition to Technology

When it comes to cow monitoring systems, the decision-making can be daunting. Options are endless and methods vary. We’ve got rumen boluses, leg sensors, collars, ear sensors, among many others. All claiming to be most effective, most of them using the same core parameters for measuring herd health and fertility: Behaviour, (in)activity, rumination time and eating time. One of the more unique parameters that sets cow monitoring solutions apart in terms of around the clock monitoring, group comparisons and cow health seems to be ear temperature, obviously only used in ear sensors. Which leads to the question: What is the added value of measuring a cow’s ear temperature? Does it really make a difference?

Let’s take a step back first and look at what traditions led to that technology. Because even the most innovative farming technology ideas stem from so-called ‘old farmer’s wisdom’. For instance, herd managers used to have to keep an eye on cows’ visual behavioral indicators for hours a day to see if she was displaying signs of heat behaviour.

As for ear temperature, back in the day, whenever dairy farmers wanted to make sure a cow was feeling well, they would feel her ears to check for a change in temperature. Having to physically be among your herd nearly 24/7 to be able to tell if something is the matter or to spot a window of opportunity, is something we can’t imagine nowadays. And it’s something we can’t afford to do anymore, with the number of livestock and production increasing in most Western countries over the past decades[1], while number of staff members are declining due to labour issues.

Effective Diagnostic Tool

Iowa State University in the United States also wondered if ear temperature would really make a difference. They did a peer reviewed study on monitoring behaviour as well as temperature, in 2017[2]. In their study, they focused on cow data collected by an ear sensor system at the ISU Dairy.

Ear temperature is not comparable to core temperature, as ear temperature experiences daily variation based on external temperatures. In winter, ear temperature never reaches freezing and during summer hot weather, never goes above 95-98 °F / 35-36,67 °C. Because of this, one outstanding benefit and aspect of ear temperature monitoring is that an individual animal is tracked and graphed simultaneously with the group ear temperature average. This allows dairy farmers and staff to compare one cow to the herd’s average.

Whenever a cow gets an infection, the blood in the ears moves to vital organs. When tracking ear temperature, you catch this change early on, potentially saving yourself and the monitored cow a lot of problems further down the road. Being able to measure ear temperature on group level, combined with measuring deviations in behaviour, is one of the most effective ways to catch heat stress early. Ear temperature as an added parameter allows farmers to assess their heat abatement strategy in a more effective way as well as spot lesser performing cows in the herd, therefore adding significant value to their herd management.

According to the study, the evidence of ear hypothermia is an effective diagnostic tool for significant health events. Or, as they cite in their research findings; a ‘problem indicator’.

Anticipating Cows’ Needs

Jeffrey S. Stevenson, a professor at the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University, specialises in the reproduction physiology of the bovine. In one of his latest articles[3], he studied the added value of ear temperature in cow monitoring. He states that late gestational ear-surface temperatures were associated with some postpartum health disorders and modifications in daily eating, ruminating, and active times during the transition period of gravid heifers and dry cows.

In other words: Including ear temperature as one of the parameters in cow monitoring technology provides dairy farmers, AI specialists, veterinarians, and nutritionists with even more precise herd information. It’s not only an early indicator for several health issues, but also a tool to monitor recovery. It’s an added layer of real-time cow monitoring and a valuable indicator for making fact-based improvements to your herd management, helping dairy professionals to recognise potential issues or opportunities before they’re observable by the human eye.

Sources

• [1] Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2022) – “Farm Size and Productivity”. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: ‘https://ourworldindata.org/farm-size’ [Online Resource]
• [2] Corujo, G. & Timms, L. L., (2017) “Uses of an Ear Tag Based Behavioral and Temperature Monitoring System (Cow ManagerR) at the ISU Dairy”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 14(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-391
• [3] J.S. Stevenson (2022) – “Late-gestation ear-surface temperatures and subsequent postpartum health, activity, milk yield, and reproductive performance of dairy cows”. Published online at sciencedirect.com. Retrieved from: ‘https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.022‘ [Online Resource]

CowManager’s Area Marketing Manager Thijs Griffioen with NZDIA’s General Manager Robin Congdon at 2023 Fieldays.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, with a rich history spanning 34 years, is a renowned program that drives best practices and fosters advancements in the dairy industry. It features over 60 events, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including dairy farmers, rural professionals, rural businesses, and the wider rural communities, with over 6,000 participants.

CowManager is a revolutionary ear sensor cow monitoring system, active in over 40 countries and committed to give farmers as well as their herds the best life possible. It’s the only cow monitoring system to successfully measure ear temperature combined with behaviour along with measurements of activity, rumination and eating time. Giving farmers actionable insights on the fertility, health, and nutrition of their cows so they can run their business proactively, rather than reactively. In New Zealand, CowManager is distributed and supported by CowManager NZ.

Doing Better Together

New Zealand holds immense significance as one of the most important markets for CowManager. By teaming up with NZDIA, CowManager aims to strengthen its position within the New Zealand dairy industry while contributing to its long-term growth and prosperity.

“We are proud and excited to work with NZDIA and combine forces to support the dairy industry and dairy farmers,” says Bernd Spelbos, Commercial Director at CowManager. “We are passionate about making farmers lives easier by providing them with the best and most accurate data to improve and maintain the success and well-being of their herd.”

Robin Congdon, General Manager at NZDIA: “We are thrilled to have CowManager on board. They’re one of the biggest and best players in the field of cow monitoring systems here in NZ and are a preferred supplier to a lot of NZ farmers. We welcome them to the NZDIA National Sponsor family and look forward to working with them to bring new innovations and technology to the New Zealand dairy industry.”

By becoming a national sponsor, CowManager will be an integral part of the exciting and vibrant NZDIA awards program. Together, NZDIA and CowManager can give farmers the opportunity to do even better.

Gaining access to real-time cow data for each specific dairy gives employers and advisors the time to efficiently plan their visits. This keeps the herd on top of their game and gives dairy farmers peace of mind as well. Because a prepared team means a more successful business. Increasing efficiency in the way of working is key.

Data Sharing with MultiView

Keeping herds healthy, complying with guidelines and being profitable at the same time is a tough job, for dairy producers and for their advisors. Full insights into cow data improves herds performance and profitability. That’s where cow monitoring technology comes in. CowManager measures ear temperature combined with behaviour. The system gives actionable insights about the health, fertility, and nutrition of a herd. Sharing this data with veterinarians, herd managers, AI specialists, nutritionists and researchers is vital for making accurate decisions. CowManager offers data sharing via a free tool; MultiView. Let advisors optimally support dairy farms by adding them in MultiView.

“It’s a very simple system. You can see at glance what is going on and you will receive confirmation if you are on the right track after a treatment. In addition, advisors can also view the system if you give them access via MultiView.” –  Maargies Hoeve, The Netherlands

Historical Cow Data Back to Installation Date

Advisors can remotely dive into a cow’s data and history, dating all the way back to the system installation date. Veterinarians and nutritionists can analyse the graphs and alerts and look at a cow or group before actually visiting farms. With MultiView a farmer, together with their advisors, can easily keep an eye on that specific cow whose temperature diverts from the rest of the group. You can see when a cow comes in heat. You all know exactly which cows to focus on – and why. As an advisor you can easily see what the difference is between the issue right now, today or this week and analyse a daily/weekly or even yearly pattern.

With MultiView dairy farmers can facilitate conversations with their advisors. Everybody has access to the same cow data. Together they can make management decisions based on their own experience and gut feelings combined with science and cow data.

Monitor your herd’s performance together, completely changing the way business is done for the better.

“An example of when the Health Module of CowManager has helped our farm was when we got a health alert, but I wasn’t on the farm. Our veterinarian was able to check the alert through MultiView and treated the cow in time. Now she is healthy!” – ChoGye Farm, South Korea

MultiView is Always Included – and For Free

Whether you use CowManager for heat detection, health monitoring or to keep an eye on feed management or cows in transition; MultiView is always included in CowManager’s service. Giving people access to your data is extremely easy and completely free. Just add their email address to the system and select what data you’d like them to see. The person who’s added can simply log into the system using a personal password. No strings attached.

“We can share the data easily with our veterinarian via MultiView. This gave us the opportunity to bring back the vet routine from weekly to bi-weekly, but still have 90% in calf.” Whiteoaks Farming, United Kingdom