Description
Nedap CowControl is a cow management and monitoring suite that allows cow health and reproduction to be tracked by turning data garnered from SmartTag collars into real-time and relevant alerts, to-do lists, reports and barn maps, aiding farmers in the management and control of their herd on a computer or via a mobile device. Nedap’s SmartTags, which are worn around the neck or leg of the cow, identify each cow electronically and monitor activity, health, reproduction and location data 24 hours a day. For the monitoring of health, the SmartTags measure the eating, rumination, standing, lying, walking and inactive behaviours of each cow 24/7, and any deviations from normal behaviours are reported to the farmer on a list of animals to be checked. Health issues can thus be detected 2–3 days earlier than they would if left until visual symptoms emerged, allowing preventative actions or treatments to be started before they become severe. This ensures improved cow health, herd longevity, animal welfare and a significant reduction in antibiotic use.
Technology
Nedap CowControl is available as both an Android and iOS app and as a desktop app for larger devices. Nedap CowControl makes use of a SmartTag – an all-in-one sensor device – worn around the neck of the cow. Data from the sensor are delivered to the app via the Cloud, where alerts or updates are created for the farmer for each individual cow. The solution has recently been improved to allow integration with Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. By using HoloLens goggles, farmers can see and interact with the relevant cow data and gain insights from Nedap CowControl superimposed on the cow in question.
Target
The main users of Nedap CowControl are professional dairy farmers. Smallholder farms as well as family farms and large industrial farms can benefit from the solution, which is suitable for cows housed inside as well as those kept in pasture or paddocks.
Business model
The application and sensor devices require a one-time purchase, with the cost of the app being factored into the cost of the collar. Each collar is purchased separately, and the app becomes available once such a purchase is made.
Impact
The Nedap CowControl solution can potentially improve the overall health and well-being of cows. By monitoring group behaviour, it can provide insights based on which, for example, feed efficiency and cow comfort can be increased. According to the website, Nedap CowControl, ensures cows become pregnant in a sustainable way. The SmartTags automatically detect cows who are in heat and their optimal insemination moment, allowing cows to be inseminated based on their natural heat/cycle, reducing the need for hormone programmes. This can increase animal welfare and drastically reduce hormone use, while vastly improving reproductive results. As stated by one farmer in the United States, “Overall, the pregnancy rate has increased from 25 percent to 33 percent, and heifers are calving earlier.” This can lead to a reduction in labour shortages and ensures a better work-life balance. A further important benefit to cows is the reduced stress associated with shorter lock-up times. According to a Nedap analysis, the system has been shown to increase milk production, feed efficiency, and animal health and welfare, while reducing antibiotics and hormone use. According to multiple, reviews on the Nedap site, the most important benefit to farmers is related to increased efficiency and sustainability.
Four Betters
Better production
