Year one with CowManager is often about trust. Year two is about unlocking potential.

Once CowManager is installed, producers spend the first several months learning the alerts, understanding the technology, and building confidence in the system. The CowManager ear sensors measure behavior and temperature. Based on this data, both individual and group alerts are calculated.

The dashboard is an easy-to-use visual representation of real-time data, designed to simplify daily routines. All relevant alerts and insights are displayed in one place through various widgets. The onboarding process ensures producers know how to respond to alerts and leverage the basics.

Year two is where proactive management, integration with farm management software, and team consistency turn insights into measurable impact. Here’s how top dairies make that shift.

Moving beyond basics: integrating farm management software

After year one, the real value emerges when integration deepens between CowManager and on-farm systems, including farm management software. These integrations increase efficiency by reducing double entry and streamlining workflows.

For example, CowManager integrates with herd management and farm management software to synchronize cow data and monitor compliance more effectively, ensuring farm protocols are consistently followed. When pregnancy check results are integrated into herd-management software, it becomes easier to identify discrepancies in protocol execution.

The level of impact depends on herd size and management style, but nearly every dairy can unlock value by advancing these integrations.

The overlooked details

Compliance is not just about following protocols, it is about protecting profitability. Too often, basic compliance such as tag maintenance gets overlooked. Low batteries on multiple tags can compromise accuracy and trust in the system, no different than missing steps in a breeding protocol.

Consider this: What if an employee skipped part of the Ovsynch sequence? Breeding effectiveness would plummet, leading to more days open, lower conception rates, and ultimately higher costs. By monitoring alerts and compliance through CowManager, these breakdowns can be caught early.

Breeding and reproduction strategy with data and farm management software

CowManager data allows tracking of historic heats and real-time compliance. When combined with farm management software, this data becomes even more valuable for decision-making.

For example, if three open cows showed heat alerts but were not inseminated before the next vet check, how would that affect palpation rates? If heat alerts were correlated with insemination records in farm management software, how many days open could be saved? These “what if” analyses highlight not only the cost of inaction but the profitability of improved compliance.

Producers should ensure optimal utilization of Fertility Insights by reviewing management settings within the CowManager web application. Parameters such as average cycle lengths, deviations from norms, and voluntary waiting periods can be customized to align with specific herd requirements.

Health and transition management

The same concept applies to health. What if a review of cows that were sold or died, using insights from CowManager and farm management software, revealed missed sick alerts? What if transition cows were managed by listening to eating minutes instead of relying solely on pen moves?

With CowManager, producers can “listen to the cows.” For example, eating-time data in the fresh pen can identify at-risk animals before visible symptoms. These proactive shifts can reduce treatment costs, improve survival, and shorten recovery times.

Tools within CowManager help detect transition diseases such as ketosis and mastitis up to 50 days before calving. This simplifies transition management, especially when symptoms are difficult to detect naturally. With 75% of adult-cow diseases occurring in the first 30 days after calving, early intervention makes a significant difference.

Symptoms of ketosis, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and sweet-smelling breath, are difficult to detect early without monitoring. Likewise, early signs of mastitis, including swelling, heat, or hardness in the udder, are easily missed, especially in large herds. Mastitis severely affects milk production, making early identification critical to both animal health and business performance.

Team approach to success

The dairies that have the most success with CowManager use it as part of a broader team strategy, often alongside farm management software. Consultants, veterinarians, and nutritionists are brought into the data conversation.

After year one, involving this advisory team becomes even more valuable. Together, they shape protocols, adapt management practices, and find new efficiencies that drive profitability.

The difference between “working” and “winning” often lies in consistency. Employees must interpret alerts the same way every time. Multiview enables consultants, veterinarians, and nutritionists to participate, turning individual data points into shared strategies.

Simple SOPs for common alerts ensure that whether it is heat detection or a sick-cow alert, everyone knows the next step.

Looking deeper: connecting data, genetics, and performance

CowManager also offers opportunities to connect cow data with genetics. By analyzing how specific genetic indexes correlate with health alerts, alongside data from farm management software, producers can identify traits linked to stronger performance.

This influences both current herd decisions and future breeding strategies.

Year one establishes trust in CowManager. Year two is where real potential is unlocked through integration, compliance, data-driven protocols, and team collaboration. By moving from reactive to proactive management, dairies shift from simply using alerts to truly transforming herd performance.

CowManager works. The question is: Are you using it to its full potential?

Talk with your CentralStar team about CowManager and how to unlock its full potential.

Author: Jared Krull, Vice President of Sales & Service, CowManager North America

“One good thing with the CowManager, it was a simple program that the employees were able to integrate and utilize, and they were able to understand it very easily,” says Steven.

Pleasant Hill Dairy milks roughly 4,000 cows and uses CowManager’s Sort my Cow to streamline daily operations. Additionally, there are two other dairy sites with 4,000 cows in the family using CowManager.

Automation is the Future

As the operations looked toward the future, especially automation and sort gate integration, Steven saw cow monitoring as a way to improve efficiency without adding complexity.

At this location, CowManager ear tags are used mainly for the Health, Fertility, and Nutrition modules, helping the team make faster, more informed decisions every day.

“We’ve seen better milk production, and I think that’s mainly attributed to the less time the cows are locked up and standing in the feed lanes,” comments Steven. By pairing CowManager data with sort gates, the dairy has also improved labor efficiency and herd workflows.

Great for Large Operations

“We’ve been able to utilize our labor in a different way that is more efficient since using the sort gates now. The veterinarian checks have been getting done about two hours earlier than what they used to,” says Steven.

For Steven, ease of use is what makes CowManager a strong fit for large dairies. “The interface is convenient, it’s easy to use on your phone, and the ear tags are simple. That’s why I’d recommend CowManager to other dairy producers, especially larger operations.”

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, 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.”

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.

CowManager Success Story of the Year

“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.

Up-and-Coming CowManager Specialist

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.

CowManager Specialist of the Year

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.

Dr. Ray Nebel Legacy Award

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.

Special Thanks

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.

About CowManager

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.

Data-Driven Decisions

I grew up in the era dial-up internet, road atlases and my first smart phone was a BlackBerry. I learned to breed cows in high school and through internships and industry have been lucky to work with herds of every size and all around the globe. Yet, here I sit still below the average age of a US dairy farmer.

The evolution of dairy farming over my lifetime is enough to write multiple books on. However, the part I am most excited about is the move to data-driven decision making. For once we have the tools available to let the cow be the source of truth and remove the bias.

Transformational Technology

Wearable activity systems were once a very operational tool letting users know when cows were in heat or how many steps they took. Today’s insights allow dairy producers to be more proactive than ever, giving users a competitive advantage. Those that go beyond the basics make a transformational change in how they dairy.

There are pieces of data from a sensor system that offers insights to managers and employees within the entire dairy. Imagine the productivity of stakeholder meetings when everyone brings facts verses opinions to the table. From calves to cows – every animal on the dairy has a voice.

On-Farm Investments

There’s no doubt that dry cows are the most under the radar group of cows on the dairy. They require minimal labor and minimal inputs. Yet they give us some of the biggest warning signs during the dry period on how their transition to lactation is going to go. Dairies that use these insights to navigate this crucial time get their cows off to a healthier start – which leads to gains in productivity and reproduction.

When we talk about creating clear visions for the future and cultural shifts amongst staff, it is imperative that the team sees the value of technology and how it works for them and not the other way around. The quickest way to kill a good investment is by internal sabotage. After all, data-driven decisions don’t just happen in the office, they come to life in the barn.

Wagner Farms: A Family Dedicated to Progress

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.

People. Animals. Environment

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 Leadership and Innovation

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 Commitment to Supporting Dairy Excellence

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.”

CowManager Sort Gate

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.

Monitoring Youngstock

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.

Excited About Innovations

In 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.”

How Sort my Cow Transformed Dairy Management for Foresight Farms

Ethan Wise farms with his family, dad and brother in Decorah, IA. They milk about 1,200 cows and raise their heifers at a second, nearby site. They use CowManager at both locations.

Wise installed Sort my Cow in February 2023 and is very happy with the decision, reporting a phenomenal return on investment.

“Since installing Sort my Cow, it’s just easier on the cows to not have someone in the pens, physically pulling or sorting them,” says Wise. “Labor has gone down, just moving away from manually sorting cows. And lock-up times have decreased across the board. I’ve seen the cow comfort benefit of using Sort my Cow.”

Herd manager Ben Guevara agrees. “Before I was sorting cows by hand, lifting gates pretty much all day long. Now I can set up my list, and when I come in the morning, all my cows are already sorted and ready for treatment.”

Super Simple, Effective Design

Wise explains how simple and effective the gate design is. “When I first saw it, I thought it was too good to be true,” says Wise. “But once we had it on the farm and working, it’s been great. The noise level is really low, and you don’t have to worry about loss of air or pressure like you do with some of the other competitor’s designs.”

Guevara adds that it’s very easy for the cows to go through. “I’m very happy with the accuracy. It has worked 100% of the time and I don’t miss any cows that need treatment.”

It’s About The Service

For Wise, he’s not only happy with the product, “it’s also the service and the people behind the product that have been the difference,” he says. “The support is solid.”

Adding Sort my Cow is one of the biggest and best investments states Guevara. The whole CowManager system, from health alerts and heat detection and now Sort my Cow, Guevara highly recommends CowManager. He says: “100%, CowManager is a game changer.”

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.