Whether they’re pasture-based or use other feed sources to give their cows the nutrition they need, a cow monitoring system can be an invaluable tool.
It not only offers peace of mind and saves on labour, but it also improves overall farm efficiency.
“I wish I’d gotten it 10 years ago,” Queensland dairy farmer Henry said.
Henry and his wife Anna own and manage their dairy farm at Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands.
Their 200-cow herd is fed a partially mixed ration (PMR), combining grazing and corn silage that is grown on the farm as a summer crop, and is fed out all year round.
They breed around 150 replacement heifers every year, selling the ones that don’t match their needs to other dairy farmers in the area.
Since 2021, they’ve come to rely on a cow monitoring system that has made their on-farm lives that more efficient.
“We have sensors on all the cows,” Henry said.
The data and active insights allow them to analyse trends and patterns, leading to proactive decision-making in areas such as breeding, nutrition, herd health and overall farm management.
Efficient pasture management and herd optimisation contribute to sustainable farming practices as well, making the use of the cow monitoring system an all-around win.
Henry and Anna use CowManager, a plug-and-play ear sensor system.
“One of the reasons we chose the CowManager system was because of the tags. We prefer them to collars for ease of handling,” Henry said.
Continuous monitoring of cow behaviour — such as feeding patterns, activity levels and rumination — has helped them identify early signs of health issues.
They’ll receive an alert on their computer and smartphone of potential health issues, days before cows show clinical signs of an ailment.
This ensures the individual cow can be checked and treated earlier, which in turn means less medication and fewer vet calls.
“The tags pick up many more cows than I would have,” Henry said.
All data in the system can be easily shared with staff and experts, so they can access important information and track the cows.
Knowing there’s always an extra set of eyes on the herd, brings Henry peace of mind.
“I don’t have to worry any more about catching heats or cows getting sick,” he said.
“I get an alert on my mobile wherever I am, and I can attend to it immediately.”
The only regret Henry and his wife have is not getting a cow monitoring system sooner.
“I recommend it at every chance I get. It’s paid for itself in no time.”
From CowManager
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