The CowManager ear sensor.
For generations, farmers have generally relied on experience to manage their herds. Nowadays, ear tag technology is picking up the silent signals that the human eye may not. These devices, attached to a cow’s ear, track key signs and activities that provide farmers with real-time data to enhance herd management.
The CowManager System
CowManager was the first cow monitoring system to offer a simple ear sensor system, making a huge impact on producers’ operations. All it takes is the installation of the ear sensor and a wireless router for farmers to receive accurate cow data on their phone and computer.
The visual display of data on the CowManager website.
The Data Recorded
The ear sensor measures animal activity, temperature, time spent eating, and the time spent ruminating. Extra modules focused on health, fertility, and nutrition are offered. All of this data can be found with the tap of a finger.
Impact on Producers Richard and Michelle Schweer
The Schweer family operates Don-Mil-Dale Holsteins, a small 40-cow farm in South Dakota. They purchased the CowManager ear sensor back in 2015. A decade later, the system is still making a large difference in their operation.
When asked why they implemented this system in their herd, the Schweers explained that they needed better heat detection because they use expensive semen to breed at the optimum time. “It’s really nice to have CowManager because it catches things we might not see right away on the inside.” They especially like having the activity data to watch for heats and match that up with what they see the animal physically doing. In addition to the basic data, they utilize the health and nutrition modules to find signs of sick cows faster.
Dairy producers Richard and Michelle Schweer.
By providing continuous data on cow health and behavior, these ear sensors are allowing farmers to make more informed decisions, leading to improved animal welfare, increased efficiency, and enhanced productivity. CowManager continues to make advancements in dairy farming, promising a more sustainable and profitable future for the industry.
