What Makes DA Hard to Spot

A displaced abomasum occurs after a period of subtle changes at first. Affected cows may eat less, ruminate less, and produce less milk.

An abomasum is not easily visible on external examination. Only trained veterinarians are usually able to detect it. You can recognize displaced abomasum using several clinical indicators, such as:

• An increased heart rate
• Cold ears
• Poor rumen fill
• Loose or watery manure
• An abnormal ‘ping’ when you tap the abdomen
• Positive fluid-splashing sounds

DA often appears within less than 30 DIM, when cows are already under metabolic stress and your team’s focus is split among fresh cow checks, feeding, and milking routines.

A displaced abomasum doesn’t occur spontaneously. Often a cow first shows other signs, like an infection.

That’s where technology makes the difference.

How Continuous Monitoring Changes the Game

CowManager’s Health solution turns early detection from guesswork into data-driven insight. Instead of waiting for visible symptoms, the system continuously tracks eating, rumination, and activity patterns. These behavioral indicators are the first to change when a cow’s abomasum begins to displace.

Both ketosis (decreased appetite, lower milk production) and a displaced abomasum can have similar early signs, and it is common for a cow to have both conditions simultaneously.

During ketosis, a slight and gradual decline in rumination and feeding activity is typically observed. In contrast, a displaced abomasum is characterized by a sudden and marked reduction in both parameters.

Spotting Those Early Warning Signs

For example, a healthy fresh cow should steadily increase her eating time after calving. If the Health solution shows a consistent drop instead, it’s an early warning sign.

The same goes for rumination — one of the most reliable indicators of digestive comfort. A sudden decline can point to displaced abomasum or related metabolic issues such as ketosis.

CowManager’s real-time alerts help you act fast and prevent health issues before they escalate. Instead of reacting to DA cases after production loss or veterinary treatment, you can intervene at the first signs of trouble — saving time, money, and improving animal welfare.

Support Your Transition Cows Proactively

A good dry period is crucial for preventing health abnormalities under 30 DIM. Rumen fill should remain at an adequate level throughout the dry period, to avoid pre-partum ketosis and lower feed intake postpartum.

Most displaced abomasum cases occur around calving, when a cow’s energy balance shifts dramatically. CowManager’s Transition solution complements the Health solution by helping you manage this critical period more effectively.

It monitors each cow’s recovery after calving, showing whether she’s adapting well or struggling with feed intake. That makes it easier to fine-tune nutrition, adjust management for high-risk cows, and prevent metabolic problems before they cascade into a DA case.

The Nutrition solution sends an alert whenever a decline in both rumination and eating time for dry cows is detected, which gives users a chance to adjust management to avoid low feed intakes. This has huge impact on a cow’s welfare during dry period and postpartum.

When you can see how each cow transitions in real time, your team doesn’t have to rely solely on daily pen checks or milk data. You get a complete picture of her health and recovery — exactly when it matters most.

Detect, Act and Prevent

Displaced abomasum doesn’t have to be a production-draining surprise. With CowManager’s Health, Transition and Nutrition solutions you gain early, actionable insights into every cow’s health status.

Parameters like low feed intake and transition alerts give you the opportunity to dive deeper in dry cow management. That means fewer missed cases, faster interventions, and a smoother transition period for your herd.

Healthy cows produce more milk, breed back faster, and stay in the herd longer. Preventing DA isn’t just about treating disease — it’s about protecting performance.

CowManager can help you detect cow diseases so you can act early – keeping your herd healthy and your performance high.

Daystar Dairy: Driving Efficiency Through Data

Owned and operated by Dave and Sara Jane Brutscher and their sons, Jesse and Paul, Daystar Dairy is an 800-cow Holstein herd. After nearly a decade with CowManager, the family has benefited by integrating data into their daily decision-making process. They emphasized that the cow monitoring system helps guide breeding, culling, feeding and herd health protocols.

Their goals when implementing the cow monitoring system were clear: improve efficiency, strengthen management, and enhance margins. With better visibility into herd health and behavior, they are able to make more informed, timely decisions that support those objectives.

Pleasant Dutch Dairy: Maximizing Labor

At Pleasant Dutch Dairy, the family partnership is led by John and Linda Vande Weerd along with their sons Alan, Mike, and Nick. They manage 2,500 cows across three sites. After implementing CowManager almost a year ago, the team quickly began leveraging its insights to improve both herd care and labor efficiency.

By reviewing daily data and responding quickly to health alerts, they can address issues earlier—often before visible symptoms appear. The ability to customize alerts based on their own farm data allows them to fine-tune their approach, helping reduce disease incidence and culling rates while making better use of employee time and expertise.

Valadao Dairy: From Heat Detection to Health Gains

Eduardo and Maria Valadao, along with their son Mike, operate a 2,100-cow Holstein herd. They initially adopted CowManager for heat detection, but soon realized broader benefits as they became more familiar with the system.

Today, they are able to identify cows at risk of health issues, such as clinical mastitis, before symptoms appear. The cow monitoring system’s impact has been significant, including improved fertility and a reduction in culling rates from 6.5% to 3.8%. Mike also credits CowManager with helping them through an HPAI (Bird flu) event, allowing them to intervene sooner and monitor recovery.

Shared Results Across Diverse Operations

Despite differences in herd size, management style, and length of use, all three dairies report similar advantages from using CowManager:

• Earlier detection of subclinical health issues
• Improved fertility and heat detection
• Reduced culling rates
• Faster cow identification and sorting
• Actionable, real-time herd insights

Technology that Supports – Not Replaces – Good Management

While each producer emphasized the value of CowManager, they also noted that technology is not a replacement for skilled employees or sound management practices. Instead, it serves as a powerful tool to enhance both.

They also stressed the importance of evaluating any new technology to ensure it delivers measurable value and supports overall operational goals. For these three operations, CowManager has proven to be more than just a monitoring system—it’s a decision-making tool that supports healthier cows, more efficient teams, and stronger financial performance.

Hoard’s Dairyman

A longer version of this article has previously been published by Hoard’s Dairyman.

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

Temperature as Health Indicator

Temperature is one of the most widely recognized indicators of health in animals. When a cow experiences stress, illness, or metabolic challenges, changes in a cow’s body temperature may occur as part of the body’s natural response. The ear is one of the first places in the body where these changes are noticeable.

When a cow’s body temperature rises, it usually means the immune system responds to stress, infection, inflammation, or heat. The body increases temperature to help support immune activity, which can lead to reduced feed intake, lower milk production, and lethargy.

When a cow’s body temperature drops, it often indicates that the cow is struggling to maintain normal body functions. This can happen during severe illnesses, metabolic disorders, or after calving, when blood flow shifts from the cow’s ear toward vital organs and the body tries to conserve energy.

Cow Body Temperature in Dairy Herd Monitoring

Modern cow monitoring systems often track behavioral indicators such as eating behavior, rumination patterns, activity and inactivity.

Adding temperature monitoring, specifically ear temperature, to this data can strengthen the overall understanding of herd health. When producers have access to multiple indicators, they can better interpret what is happening within the herd and respond quickly when conditions change.

For dairy producers managing large herds, it can be difficult to detect subtle health changes through observation alone. Monitoring technologies that track indicators such as activity, rumination, and temperature trends can provide valuable insights that support early intervention.

Cow Ear Temperature

Tracking a cow’s temperature alongside behavioral indicators contributes to a more complete picture of cow health. Continuous monitoring helps producers detect changes sooner and respond more effectively.

The CowManager system measures ear temperature specifically, making cow monitoring much more accurate and actionable with early alerts.

Whenever a cow develops an infection, blood flow in the ears shifts toward vital organs. By monitoring ear temperature, this change can be detected early, potentially preventing more serious issues for both you and the cow later on.

Supporting Better Herd Management

Cow monitoring innovations continue to change how dairy farms manage animals. Monitoring technologies allow producers to move from reactive management to proactive herd care.

It may seem tooling makes herd management more complex, but systems that provide reliable data are an important part of driving herd management forward. With real-time data, herd management teams can make more informed decisions about herd health, reproduction, and overall management.

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.

High-Quality Forage

Forage quality is the backbone of every heifer diet. Not all forage delivers the same results — and when it comes to raising heifers, quality matters just as much as quantity.

High-quality forage supports optimal growth and body condition without overfeeding grain. The right balance of protein and minerals is crucial: too much grain can over-condition heifers, while low-quality forage may slow growth.
Protein plays an important role in the overall growth of heifers, as it provides the amino acids needed for tissue and muscle development.

Skeletal growth – bone formation and strength – is important and depends mainly on the availability and balance of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as vitamin D and adequate energy supply.

The two go hand in hand: Bones also contain protein structures, collagen matrix, that minerals bind to. An excess of protein alone will not improve bone growth.

Feed Efficiency

Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (NDFD) is an important indicator of how much energy a heifer can actually extract from her feed. Higher digestibility means better feed efficiency – something that shouldn’t be underestimated. Higher NDFD means the heifer can extract more energy from the same amount of feed, leading to better feed efficiency and weight gain.

Changes in feed quality or type can easily affect growth rates. That’s why testing forage regularly and adjusting rations with your nutritionist is essential. With CowManager’s Transition & Nutrition Monitor, you can track the effect of ration changes per cow as well as per group.

And with the free MultiView functionality you and your advisors can easily share and monitor real-time data on feed and ration changes – ensuring every heifer stays on track.

Feed Space per Cow

Feed space is often underestimated, yet it plays a major role in growth and future milk production. Overcrowding causes stress, limits feed intake, and leads to uneven growth within groups — especially for subordinate heifers.

Aim for 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) of bunk space per heifer. This ensures that every animal has equal access to feed, particularly in group housing systems. Providing adequate space reduces injuries, stress, and the risk of disease transmission. A calmer pen leads to healthier heifers, steady growth, and more efficient management.

The Transition & Nutrition Monitor even tracks a cow’s stress level; monitoring whether a cow is feeling safe and secure or is experiencing stress factors that may affect her health, causing her to become less active – in which case you’ll receive an alert. Too much stress also leads to cortisol release, which is immune suppressive.

Dairy Heifer Feed Requirements

When it comes to dairy heifer nutrition, it’s not just about intake — it’s about outcomes. One of the most critical milestones in heifer development is reaching the right breeding weight.

Heifers should reach 55–60% of their mature body weight by 13–15 months of age, allowing them to calve between 22 and 24 months. Hitting this target keeps rearing costs under control and maximizes lifetime milk yield.

Underweight heifers often calve later, increasing costs and reducing production potential. Overweight heifers, on the other hand, are at higher risk for calving and metabolic problems. The right balance is key to achieving strong, productive cows ready for the next stage of their life.

Building a Strong Foundation

When you combine forage quality, feed space, and proper breeding weight, the bigger picture becomes clear — these are the building blocks of your future herd.

Every decision in heifer management has a ripple effect. The heifers you raise today are tomorrow’s high-performing dairy cows. With CowManager’s Transition & Nutrition Monitor and MultiView functionality, you gain the insights to make smart, fact-based feeding and growth decisions.

Set your herd up for long-term success. Download the Calf Guide and stay ahead of the herd together.

Why Colostrum for Calves Is Essential

Calves are born without antibodies, making them highly vulnerable to infections. Cow colostrum, packed with immunoglobulins (IgG), provides the essential antibodies that act as a first line of defense for the newborn. This colostrum helps protect the calf from disease while its own immune system develops.

The first 12 hours after birth are critical for antibody absorption, as the calf’s gut is still open to absorb these antibodies directly into the bloodstream. After this window, absorption decreases significantly and closes completely within 24 hours. Timely, adequate feeding of high-quality colostrum is crucial for giving the calf the best start in life, as literature indicates that calves receiving proper colostrum develop a better-functioning gastrointestinal tract.

A Healthy Cow produces Better Colostrum for her Calves

The quality of colostrum for calves is directly linked to the health of the mother cow. A healthy, stress-free cow is more likely to produce high-quality colostrum, which is vital for the calf’s immunity and growth.

While CowManager doesn’t monitor colostrum quality directly, it does help identify when issues arise during a cow’s dry period. Together with advisors, you can investigate potential causes, such as social housing, to ensure cows produce the best colostrum possible.

CowManager’s monitoring system provides valuable insights during critical stages such as the transition phase. Through alerts for heat stress, illness, or transition challenges, you can take early action to prevent these factors from affecting colostrum production.

For example:

• Transition period challenges, such as disease or inadequate nutrition, can lower antibody content.
• Heat stress can decrease colostrum quality.

By addressing these issues early, you help ensure your cows stay healthy and your calves receive the high-quality colostrum they need for a strong start.

By using CowManager to monitor and optimize cow health, and by acting on the alerts to improve your management, you indirectly help ensure that calves receive the best possible colostrum to start their lives strong.

Set Your Calves Up for Success

Colostrum management is truly the first step toward raising healthy, productive dairy cows. Your efforts during those first hours make all the difference.

The Bottom Line: Dry Cow Health Equals Better Colostrum for Calves

Colostrum for calves is a critical part of their early development and long-term productivity. To give your calves the best possible start, it’s essential to ensure that cows produce the highest quality colostrum, and that begins with monitoring and supporting their health.

By using CowManager to track cow health, you can make informed decisions and intervene early when needed, ensuring your cows are in top condition to produce the best colostrum for their calves.

Want to optimize your calf health and give your future dairy cows the best start? 

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.”