Cow Tags Tracking Animal Health

With CowManager ear sensors, they track the herd’s ear temperature, rumination and eating time, activity and behaviour. According to Paul, it’s been a life changer for animal health.

He says: “It’s a real simple app on my phone, on my desktop in the cow shed, or at home. I have alerts come through, like health alerts for sick cows or suspicious cows. You’re picking up something that’s wrong with the cow a lot earlier than you would without the tech. We can intervene a lot earlier.”

It allows the Koopals to reduce the use of antibiotics, which they consider a huge plus.

Paul: “Because we’re picking up sick animals before they’re actually sick, before they know they’re sick, you can make calls on what you’re treating them with. Sometimes it’s just a case of giving them an anti-inflammatory and then they’re back to normal within a day. Whereas if you didn’t have that tech and you didn’t know she was sick until she was sick, you might need to use more antibiotics.”

Better Results Thanks to Tech

Animal health isn’t the only benefit of using the CowManager system. According to Vet Plus vet Kyle Kannan, it’s just scratching the surface.

He says: “There’s also a ton of animal health related to nutrition. Like, how well we feed cows. That has a massive impact on the health of a herd, the health of an individual animal. That information is all coming through as well. And then on top of that, there’s fertility. Which is a key driver of profitability and an integral part of the farm business.”

Paul agrees and shares how the high-tech cow tags have helped him during mating.

“In the cow shed it saves us a lot of time and a lot of labour. Our milkings during mating have become a lot quicker because we’re not having to check tail paint, we’re not having to jump up and check every single cow that comes through.

Because we’re doing AI all the way through our mating, we can use a lot more of the short gestation semen on our herd. The cows that have been given that semen are calving 12 to 13 days earlier, so that’s more days in milk for us on farm. We’re able to actually have more cows in calf as well.”

“And”, he adds, “Because we’ve got CowManager picking up cows that are on heat, we don’t use bulls anymore on farm. That’s been quite a health and safety benefit.”

Unveiling New Data for Vets

Kyle emphasises that cow tag technology isn’t just valuable for farmers – it’s a high-tech treasure chest for vets, too.

“We’re getting information that we’ve never been able to directly measure. You can’t see if your cows are full, or how much they’ve eaten. They look reasonably content, but now we’re getting live data pieces that say, ‘that cow is definitely content’, at a herd level. Now we can jump into our phone and onto our computer screen and actually put some solid information around that.”

Kyle continues: “As vets, we see the more retrospective data that comes through. There was a large scale of information that we just didn’t know, and we weren’t able to collect. An example of that would be between calving and mating.

So, as soon as a cow calves, how fast is she having her first heat? Obviously, we don’t whip tail paint on immediately as soon as they calf, so we don’t know and we don’t measure that as a thing.

Veterinarian Kyle Kannan (left) and dairy farmer Paul Koopal (right).

The first year Paul and Sarah got CowManager, we were able to look at that, and they were actually behind target for what we call the days to first heat; how fast the cows recover from calving. We were able to find a data point that we would never have seen before and then make changes to impact that data point. We managed to improve it.“

He concludes: “At our reviews we’re able to look at the data, have a look at all the different things coming out of it. It’s basically a set of whole brand-new metrics that we’re able to use now in New Zealand that we probably never been able to. It’s quite a cool frontier that we’re currently in.”

Closing the Loop

From a personal side of things, Paul really enjoys the 24/7 aspect of the CowManager cow tags.

“It allows me to get off farm, because I know someone is looking after my cows, through mating, 24/7”, he says.

He elaborates: “I never used to take any time off during mating period and now I’ll literally just come back from a holiday for four days. It’s brilliant, because I know all those cows are still getting their cycling and are still getting picked up by the system.”

Kyle reckons this is just the beginning – as a vet he’s excited about what CowManager will bring to the future of cow monitoring and farm management.

“This isn’t static technology, it’s bloody on the roll. It’s going to be really cool to see what’s coming in the next couple of years. The Milk Sensor is another thing CowManager are rolling in real soon and that’s basically going to close the loop. All the repro stuff that we’re doing is fantastic, but at the end of the day, milk is the product that we want.”

All About Comfort

Trevor milks 210 cows and has been using CowManager since 2022.

“The main reason is I don’t like the idea of putting things around a cow’s neck. And I find that ear tags are easier to put in and out,” Trevor says.

For him, it’s all about keeping things simple and comfortable for the cows — and for himself.

“It’s just more ease of management. We like using it and we will continue to use it. And it wasn’t too expensive, I don’t think. I’m 51 now. As we get older, why not make it a little bit easier for yourself?”

Before buying, he asked around. “I got some feedback from other people who use it (CowManager), and it was exactly the same. Once you put it in, you will never regret it. You think, ‘why didn’t I do this earlier?’”

First Thing in the Morning

Trevor says CowManager is now part of his daily routine.

“I check the system first thing in the morning. What cows are cycling, if there’s any health issues. Whether we need to check a cow for mastitis, which is normally the first instance. It tells you exactly what a cow is doing.”

And here’s the real bonus: you don’t even have to be at the farm to be able to keep an eye on the herd.

“If one of us happens to go away, you can still monitor everything, from wherever you happen to be. Whether it’s overseas, or in Australia. We went on a trip to New Zealand, and we could still tell what was going on back on the farm, which was quite nice.”

For Trevor, that’s been huge. “It’s been a game-changer for me.”

No More Tail Painting

One of the big wins for Trevor has been in reproductive management.

“With CowManager, it was a lot easier to pick up empty cows. Any cows that were still cycling when they shouldn’t have been, they should’ve been all in calf.”

He’s also been able to ditch some of the more time-consuming old-school methods.

“I used to tail paint. And that means touching cows up three times a week with paint – I no longer have to do that, which is good. And I always used to jump up and check each individual cow for heat. Whereas now, I just look at the app.”

The app’s Fertility accuracy has even changed how he uses sexed semen.

“CowManager gives you that optimal time of using sexed semen, and I’ve used that a lot. I always used to AI in the morning only, and now – because of that – I AI morning and night, because I can do it myself.”

Trevor has CowManager linked with Easy Dairy.

“We use the system with Easy Dairy, so there’s a touch screen at the front of the pit, which is all linked to CowManager, as well as our phones. Now I can auto draft or just punch them up into the computer and draft them that way.”

This means less running around and more time doing the important stuff.

A Lifesaver

One of the most valuable features for Trevor is CowManager’s health alerts.

“If there is a cow that’s not doing so well, an alert will come up on my phone, and I find that really, really good. When the health alert comes up, one of the things I always do check is what is the temperature doing? Has she got a stomach-ache, or has she got something else wrong with her?”

And when it comes to mastitis, CowManager’s speed is a lifesaver. “It’s definitely saved us. It picks up mastitis a whole lot earlier.”

Trevor’s pretty clear on where he stands: “Once you put it in, you will never regret it.”

Cow monitoring technology like CowManager isn’t just about making farming easier. It’s about keeping your herd healthier, catching problems before they cost you, and freeing up your time. And in Trevor’s case, it’s also about being able to go on family trips while being able to still keep an eye on the cows. For him, the only regret is not getting the system sooner.

Dairy News Australia

This article was previously published by Dairy News Australia.

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.

Year-Round Demands

Running a mixed feeding operation with multiple calving cycles means this farm needs a system that can perform every day of the year.

It’s a pasture-based system but they feed a lot of grain, batch hay and buy local hay in the area to feed the cows and youngstock. They calf four times a year – in February, May, August and November.

The family relies on shared oversight to stay on top of things, made easier by connected tools and shared data.

“Every milking cow has a sensor – we’re at about 600 now. My brother uses the platform and so does my father; we all keep a close eye on the cows together”, James says.

Boosting Repro and Health

With constant joining and a heavy focus on animal health, they needed a system that would give reliable insights and real-time alerts. CowManager fit the bill.

“We started using the CowManager system 2 years ago. We chose the CowManager sensors for the backup support and because we prefer ear tags over collars.”

Their use of both the Fertility and Health modules allows them to handle reproduction and wellbeing with confidence.

James explains: “The Fertility Module is important because we’re joining all year round, and we just use AI. And the Health Module is important as well for seeing how the cows are eating, and if we have any sick cows.”

He adds: “You get notifications from the app all day so if something happens and it needs your attention; you’ve got all information straight away.”

Integration into existing infrastructure also made the transition seamless.

“CowManager integrates seamlessly with the dairy software. We use Jantec in the dairy and it was as simple as ringing up Jantec to make sure it all works properly. We haven’t had any issues since. The benefit of them being integrated is that all the CowManager alerts go straight into Jantec. So, all of the heat and health alerts automatically come up when we want to draft.”

Less Guesswork

Where before, James and his family were relying on visual methods like stickers, they’ve now gone fully digital—and haven’t looked back.

“One of the biggest benefits has been heat detection. We were using stickers beforehand, but after 2 weeks of using both stickers and CowManager, the stickers disappeared. We just rely on the CowManager system now for heats – it’s more accurate.”

The simplicity and clarity of the system’s data makes day-to-day work easier.

“All the data in the system is easy to find and very easy to understand. You can look up individual cows to find pretty much anything. The reports on the pc are really handy as well. It gives you early indications of how many you’ve got in calf, any suspect aborted cows that you can get rechecked.”

And with the added control of sexed semen timing, they can be more strategic in their decisions.

“We use the Insemination Window to select the right cows for sexed semen. If they’re not in the right window and they’re too early, then we’ll not join them in the morning and wait ‘till the PM to join them.”

Faster Action

Frequent calving can increase the risk of health issues, but CowManager’s alerts are helping them act earlier and faster, according to James.

“The health alerts from CowManager are really good. They pick on rumination and eating and can tell you how the cows are performing. But for sick alerts, the temperature alert is the best. It gives you very quick information on whether a cow is actually sick and needs treating.”

This has been especially valuable during calving, when milk fever can strike suddenly.

“Just because we’re calving so often, the temperature alert from CowManager picks up a lot of cases of milk fever. We can see from the phone straight away if a cow is down and needs treating. You get an alert, and you know which cows to look out for. Whereas before CowManager, we were checking every cow individually to make sure that she wasn’t sick.”

Essential Technology

With constant calving, intensive feed systems, and a large herd, this Victorian farm shows how digital tools like CowManager are not just convenient, but essential.

“The installation was really easy; it only took about 3 or 4 hours. They (WWS Australia) helped set up all the solar routers and routers and get it all connected.”

With the whole family now involved in managing the herd through a single platform, there’s more confidence in every decision.

“I’d recommend CowManager to anyone who asks what system we’re using, or if anyone has any doubts about getting a system. I’d strongly recommend getting CowManager”, James says.

Dairy News Australia

This article was previously published by Dairy News Australia.

Embracing Tech

Running a pasture-based operation across 200 hectares, Brady and his family were looking for a way to streamline herd monitoring; especially when it came to heat detection.

Brady: “We milk 300 cows – mostly Jerseys – and are a 100% pasture-based system on 200 hectares. We started working with CowManager in December 2021. We wanted a heat detection system and had a look at a few others, but CowManager is what we chose.”

Their decision to choose CowManager was based on both the functionality and ease of setup, which made implementing it across the farm a smooth process.

Ease of Use

Modern dairy tech needs to work with the farm’s existing environment. For Brady, the CowManager system did just that—powered entirely by solar.

“The whole farm is networked on a solar setup. It’s been very simple. I think we’ve got 7 solar routers.”

He adds: “Installation of the system was very simple. They (representatives from WWS Australia) came out here and helped us put the sensors in and put the routers up.”

Once the system was in place, it didn’t take long for it to become part of the daily rhythm on the farm. CowManager’s ease of use is a recurring theme for Brady and his dad.

“Working with the system is extremely simple and it’s worked really well”, he says. “Me and my father, we both use the data sharing function, so we’ve both got it and know what’s happening all the time.”

Brady continues: “We find it very easy to read the system. The graphs are very easy to understand and they’re all colour-coded for their activity. It’s good when you’re away from the farm. It’s just made it a lot easier. When I’m not here or my father’s not here, it’s made things a lot simpler.”

Smarter Heat Detection Means Better Joining

CowManager’s heat detection module has helped the Crofts improve the accuracy and timing of joining, especially with all cows submitted to AI. They’re using both the heat and health modules—ensuring year-round visibility into herd performance.

“We use the Fertility Module for heat detection, for our joining. And the Health Module we use all year round, just to keep an eye on the cows’ overall health.”

“Probably the main advantage of the heat detection is getting your cows joined at the right time. And the fertility reports, that’s a good one. So, you can pick up cows that may be cycling odd or not cycling at all.”

“We’ve seen a lot better conception and a lot better first round submission rate, too. Because you can pick up those cows that aren’t quite right and you can get them sorted early. You’re submitting every cow to AI, so it’s been a lot better.”

“We started using sexed semen within the last 2 years with CowManager. And now they’ve got the little timing graph (Insemination Window) on there, which makes it a lot easier to use, too.”

Early Alerts Save Cows

Health monitoring plays just as important a role as fertility on a busy dairy, especially during calving. With CowManager, problems are identified before they become emergencies.

“During calving time, you might get an alert for a cow that’s a bit less active, and you keep an eye on her. She might have milk fever or even an issue. This year we’ve had a couple of LDA’s (displaced abomasum). CowManager picked them up before we did, so it’s done its job there.”

Those early alerts don’t just save cows – they save costs, too.

“If you’ve got a crook cow, you’re picking them up before they really go downhill. So, if you save yourselves a few cows, you’re probably earning back your subscription costs every year. Just on a few cows that you might pick up, might keep in the herd, or a few extra pregnancies; it all adds up.”

Dairy News Australia

This article was previously published by Dairy News Australia.

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.

1: Set Mating Goals

Before you kick off mating season, take a minute to decide what your main mating goals are. Are you looking to improve genetics, improve milk production or replacement heifers? Narrowing your goals down in advance will help you make informed decisions for breeding and mating.

2: Check on Your Cows

Make sure potentially underperforming cows are on your radar early on so you can still make the adjustments needed to ensure they’ll do well during mating. Unsure? Have your vet or breeding specialist analyse your cows’ performance by adding them in MultiView. CowManager’s Nutrition Module helps you identify at-risk cows up to 50 days before calving.

3: Consider Fertility Testing

Fertility testing your cows can help identify any reproductive issues that may affect their performance during mating season, such as infections or hormonal imbalances. Identifying and addressing these issues beforehand could save you a lot of stress and pain down the road.

4: Prep Your Paddocks

Take time to set the mood and make sure your cows will be comfortable. Ensure that your mating paddocks are in good condition and provide adequate shelter and clean water for your cows.

5: Develop a Mating Plan

A well-thought-out breeding plan is key to achieve your goals. Consider factors such as timing, synchronization protocols, available staff, and the selection of appropriate sires. Have plan Bs at the ready in case of any contingencies, such as weather disruptions.

6: Keep Track of Everything

Keep detailed records of everything leading up to, during, and after mating season. Record mating dates, sire information, and any fertility testing results. This will help you analyse results and help identify risks, and your future self will be eternally grateful to you for being so thorough. CowManager’s Fertility Insights helps you keep detailed records of all your cows’ cycles.

7: Monitor Heat Detection

Go for success: Rely on CowManager’s Fertility Module and never miss a heat. Make sure all cows are tagged with the ear sensor so you can recognise peak heats, pregnancies, non-cycling cows and potential abortions. Make sure your entire staff knows which alerts to look out for and give them access to the system by simply adding their email addresses in MultiView.

“We’ve increased our six week in calf rate by about 15%, so we’ve gone up to 78% in our six week in calf rate. Our empty rate has dropped from about 24% down to 13%. It’s quite substantial, yeah. We’re also picking up those silent heats that we weren’t able to pick up beforehand.” – Mike Marshall, Otago farmer. Watch his full story.

8: Keep Your Herd Healthy

A healthy herd equals a healthy base to build your breeding season upon. Work closely with your vet and team to make sure your cows are as healthy as possible before breeding season begins and throughout, and make sure your cows are getting the nutrition they need to be successful. CowManager’s Health Module can help you monitor health as well as discovery.

9: Make Sure You’re Up to Date

Make sure the systems you use are updated to the newest version available before the season starts. This goes for your cow monitoring system, your herd management system, as well as your drafting gate. Good to know: If you’re using CowManager and some ear sensors are close to underperforming, the system will alert you of this months in advance.

“Basically, CowManager finds a cow on heat and the gate drafts them out after the morning milkings. With the two systems we’re saving a labour unit over mating, that’s for sure. Nobody needs to think about anything, really.” – Ruurd Dijkstra, Waikato farmer. Discover the full story.

10: Be Willing to Make Changes

A prepared farmer is a successful farmer, but sometimes life throws us curveballs. Be prepared to make last-minute adjustments to your plan if any unforeseen weather or health conditions pop up. Just make sure to keep monitoring closely and keep detailed records.

Understanding Ketosis in Cows

Ketosis in cows typically occurs during the early lactation period, when the cow needs more energy for milk production than she gets from her feed. To make up for the demand, she starts using her body fat for energy. This causes a rise in ketone levels in her blood.  If not treated, ketosis in cattle can lead to reduced milk yield, weight loss, and a higher risk of other metabolic disorders.

Ketosis Symptoms in Cows

Detecting ketosis symptoms in cows early is essential to minimise production losses and prevent severe health complications. Common signs of ketosis in dairy cows include:

• Reduced appetite and decreased feed intake
• Sudden weight loss despite adequate feeding
• Decreased milk production
• Reduced activity levels
• Acetone-like smell on the breath
• Nervous behaviour, such as excessive licking or uncoordinated movements

Monitoring cows closely during the transition period and using diagnostic tools can help detect ketosis in cows before it significantly affects their performance.

How to Prevent Ketosis in Cattle

Preventing ketosis in cattle requires a proactive approach to herd management, focusing on proper nutrition and metabolic health. Here are key strategies to reduce the risk of ketosis in cows:

1. Balanced Nutrition: Ensure cows receive a well-balanced diet with adequate energy levels to support milk production. Increasing the intake of high-quality forages and concentrates can help maintain energy balance.
2. Monitor Body Condition: Avoid excessive weight gain during late lactation and the dry period, as over-conditioned cows are at higher risk of ketosis.
3. Regular Health Checks: Using real-time monitoring technology can help detect early signs of ketosis and allow timely intervention.
4. Optimise Transition Period Management: Proper management of the transition period, including gradual diet adjustments and providing adequate bunk space, can help minimise metabolic stress.
5. Provide Supplemental Energy Sources: Glucose precursors, such as propylene glycol, can help a cow’s energy levels and help prevent a buildup of ketones.

The Role of Monitoring in Managing Ketosis in Dairy Cows

Implementing a cow monitoring system can help detect ketosis symptoms in cows before they become severe. Technologies like CowManager track changes in cow behaviour, activity, and feed intake, providing early warnings of metabolic disorders. By identifying subclinical ketosis in dairy cows, producers can take preventive measures and ensure optimal herd health and productivity.

Conclusion

Ketosis in cows is a significant concern for dairy producers, but with early detection and proper prevention strategies, its impact can be minimised. Monitoring ketosis symptoms in cows, optimising nutrition, and leveraging technology can help maintain healthy and high-performing dairy cattle. By prioritising metabolic health, dairy producers can reduce ketosis-related losses and improve overall herd productivity.

A World of Data in a Tiny Tag

For Patrick Oostveen, running a dairy operation without wearable technology nowadays just isn’t an option. It was high on his priority list when he took on a second farm.

“When we took this (farm) on, it was one of the first things to do: put a wearable in. Because I can’t be at two places at once, it’s impossible. To just really take the pressure off at those key times, like during mating.”

The choice for an ear tag was an easy one.

“I really like the ear tag concept – we’ve got it on the other farm as well. There’s no collars, no cows getting hung up on stuff, there’s no banging in the shed. It’s just easy to slam a tag in when you tag the heifers.”

Getting started was a piece of cake, he says. “Installation was a piece of cake, really. Like with the heifers; you’ve gotta tag the heifers. They’ve got a copper bullet at the same time, got the yellow tag as well. And then we just put in the CowManager in.”

They haven’t looked back since. The whole team relies on the ear tag system every day. “It’s different. It’s just remarkable they can fit a collar-worth of technology into something this tiny. It’s innovative, and it works.”

One Step Ahead of Health Issues

Patrick and his team have a fixed way of working, greatly depending on what the system tells them.

“From day to day, I get up for milking in the morning and have a flick through the app, see if anything has come up over the night. We have some drafts scheduled for the team to investigate, check on sick cows and if they’ve got a procedure to follow through. We check for mastitis, does she look good, maybe give a bolus, what category of sickness they are.”

They monitor the health, fertility, nutrition and transition period of the herd with CowManager. Which, according to Patrick, is very simple to do.

“You look up a graph of when a cow calves; what was her rumination before and after? Way easy to see with CowManager. And just the sensitivity of the health alerts. Normally, with the temperature alert or a very sick cow alert, there will be something going on.”

He’s particularly pleased with the Health Module. Not only does the module monitor activity, eating and rumination time, it also monitors ear temperature. Which makes all the difference.

“It’s just really remarkable technology. From ear movements they know like all the chewing and that sort of stuff. When a cow is sick and the system alerts you, you’re like ‘what’s going on’. Picking up those temperature alerts if she’s got a bad case of mastitis or something metabolic – the ear blood flow changes. If that happens, I know she’s crook.”

Saying Goodbye to Old Habits

“Initially I thought I would do the tail painting as well,” Patrick says. “But then I thought if you do it, you just have to trust the process and make sure you do your checks and stuff, and go full in.”

Tail painting is something of the past now, as is being stressed all the time about being at two places at once – which is impossible. Thanks to the system, Patrick and his team can keep an eye on both farms and the entire herd, wherever and whenever.

“If we didn’t have the cow wearables, we’d have to be at two places at once, which isn’t possible. Another option would be if I pick up cows from one shed in the morning and the other one at night. So I’d just be in the shed all day. I’ve got a couple of kids now too, so got all the family stuff to do. It frees you up.”

Monitoring Holstein and Jersey Dairy Cows

Lachlan manages the family’s Katandra Park Stud, a 50% Holstein, 50% Jersey dairy cow operation. They milk 140 cows at Brunswick Junction in south-west Western Australia.

Lachy is the fourth generation of his family to dairy farm, currently leasing a farm which includes a 220-acre milking platform and another 300 acres for youngstock and cropping. Around 60% of the property can be irrigated, usually from October to April each year.

For the past 18 months Lachlan has been running the Fertility and Health modules of the CowManager system. Although they don’t calve all year round, they do have an extended calving period from August to April, which suits the farm’s needs.

“Cows and the breeding side of things has been my passion from a very young age, so naturally you always take a greater interest in this side of the business”, Lachy explains.

No More Wasting Semen

The Fertility Module is known for never missing a heat and picking up on important moments of a cow’s cycle. Lachlan says using the system has been highly effective.

”I strongly believe getting cows pregnant is one of the most important things on any dairy farm and CowManager has really contributed to those one percenter’s that really add up. It’s been so beneficial to be able to pick up on non-cycling cows, cystic cows and general health issues before we do. And there’s the overnight heats you might just miss too. CowManager picks them all up.”

Lachlan is convinced that getting that precise window for AI has meant far less semen wastage, which is especially critical when using expensive sexed semen.

“It takes a bit of time to trust that the system is getting the timing right, but now I am confident in the system; in fact, we probably won’t pregnancy test in the future. It gives you the confidence to invest in good semen because you know you’re breeding the right cows at the right time.”

They now use no other methods of heat detection, relying entirely on CowManager to set the optimal timing for joining.

Detecting Health Issues Early

They’re also tracking the dairy cows’ health with CowManager. The Health Module allows them to pick up illnesses before clinical signs are detectable by the naked eye. This helps Lachlan and his staff run the farm in a proactive manner.

Lachlan explains: “I’ll often get a health alert that something suspicious is going on with a cow and I can check its rumination activity. If I’m not there I can get staff to check, often well before they have seen anything. I can get them to check a certain cow as soon as they come in in the morning. It’s just great reassurance and CowManager is very rarely wrong.”

Early alert notifications on a dairy cow can mean getting treatments started earlier and reduce the severity of the impact of a health issue. The dairy cow recovers quicker, and she is back in production sooner.

A New Sense of Freedom

The system hasn’t just given Lachlan a grip on his dairy cows, it’s given him a sense of freedom.

“Installing CowManager has given me greater freedom to be away from the farm and still be completely aware of what the cows are up too, their activity levels and breeding status – all from my iPhone.”

“It’s the accumulation of lots of little things that make CowManager so valuable”, Lachlan says.

“The information available on the system is very powerful. You really know what’s going on with your cows. I think without this kind of system in today’s dairy business environment, you’re behind the eight ball.”

Dairy News Australia

This article was written by Richard Meredith and previously published by Dairy News Australia.