After about two years' intensive collaboration, AgroTech, Smarter Farming and Uptime IT have launched a new system for monitoring dairy cows. The system which is called CowDetect is running in four Danish dairy farms so far.
Challenge
On average, cattle farms in Denmark consist of about 125 cows and the farms are increasing in size. Consequently, it is difficult for the farmer to monitor the wellbeing of all his cows, and good health is crucial to high animal welfare and high milk yield. Changes in the cows' behaviour may be signs of disease and hence they require timely action, based on the principle that prevention is better than cure.
Solution
SmarterFarming contacted AgroTech with its knowledge of positioning technology because it lacked knowledge of veterinary practice and strategic methods which is necessary to make the product usable. This technology allows dairy farmers to monitor continuously the position and behaviour of their cows – in real time. The system – the end product – involves that each cow carries a transmitter whose signal is picked up by sensors positioned throughout the barn, which then relay the data to handheld devices and a PC where it is collected and analysed automatically using statistical methods.
AgroTech has cattle and statistics experts and hence we are perfect for the task, says senior consultant Flemming Skjøth who explains:
- We have put together an interdisciplinary team of experts in biology/cattle, statistics and in data processing and analysis. In this way, we have added value to the system and contributed to turning it into a saleable product. In practice, we have worked directly and closely with Uptime IT, SmarterFarming’s IT and software supplier.
Effect
CowDetect allows farmers with large herds to monitor each of their cows closely. The system facilitates the daily on-farm routines by tracking the whereabouts of each animal.
The system also detects changes in the cows’ behaviour, and hence the farmer can better access the health and welfare of each cow and better detect the early onset of diseases and cows in heat. All in all, the system allows the farmer to take timely action which can eventually lead to increased profitability.
