New tech to boost cow productivity and sustainability
13th July 2021
Dairy technology company Waikato Milking Systems has announced the launch of an exciting new product to help farmers make better long-term decisions for the care of their herd, and their
Dairy technology company Waikato Milking Systems has announced the launch of an exciting new product to help farmers make better long-term decisions for the care of their herd, and their dairy businesses.
Waikato recently launched its new CowTRAQ Collars and TracHQ software in partnership with dairy management technology company, Nedap. Waikato’s GM sales and operations ROW, Jamie Mikkelson, said the CowTRAQ Collars offer complete heat and health monitoring for every cow in the herd.
“The collars can identify each cow and keep track of their signs of heat, position, eating, rumination, standing, lying, walking and inactive behaviour 24/7. It provides a precise and complete picture about the fertility, health, well-being and nutritional status of each cow and each herd.”
The collars offer farmers a chance to improve in several areas, including reproduction results, increased labour efficiency as well as farm management, to get more productive and sustainable herds.
“Better cow health and condition is also an important area where the collars can make a difference, by detecting health issues earlier,” Jamie said.
“That means treatment and recovery can be more effective, fertility can improve and long-term it can reduce mortality rates.”
Jamie said the data the collars supply can save on costs and give cows the individual attention they need.
“It means farmers can focus resources on the right cows, at the right time, with the correct treatment. It’ll help farmers keep a close eye on the health, comfort and wellbeing of their animals, while increasing production using the same or fewer resources.”
Waikato’s TracHQ software translates data captured by the collars into information the operator can understand and easily view on a PC, tablet or smartphone. Everyone working on the farm can have access to real-time information and insights on each cow or herd.
“It can generate real-time and relevant alerts, to-do lists, reports and barn maps to help manage and control the herd,” Jamie said.
TracHQ also integrates with farm automation systems and dairy management programs. It can easily connect with the Waikato range of milking point controls, milk indicators, milk meters and milk analytical sensors. “It can also connect with our automated sorting system, to automatically sort animals that are either on heat or have an alert that has been raised against their number.”
TracHQ is a modular solution so upgrading to include auto sorting and integration to milking solutions and feeding in the future is simple. It comes with a three-year, 100 per cent replacement warranty, and graded warranty thereafter. Typically, operating life is 8–10 years.
Jamie said the new technology will help farmers improve their bottom line by making data-driven decisions. “Together, CowTRAQ and TracHQ give farmers an all-in-one, 24/7 livestock management system to help them meet the challenges of operating a modern dairy farm.”
