Angelique is a vet and Isaac is a dairy fitter. Between them they had a solid background for making the right choice.
“Dollars are important,” Isaac said
“But the CowManager ear tag system is easy to use. We can clip them on and off and reuse them when new animals come into the herd or older animals are culled.”
Isaac and Angelique took over the current farm, at Forest in north-West Tasmania, from Isaac’s parents 14 years ago, after having developed a succession plan.
Today they milk a commercial herd of 350 Friesians on 170 hectares.
Angelique works off-farm in a variety of roles and also does the book work, while Isaac manages the farm work with two full-time staff.
With four young children aged 11, 10, eight and six, they have found the CowManager system has given them greater freedom.
“We can go away with the family and we have this extra set of eyes on the herd to alert us if there is a health issue with one of the cows,” Isaac said.
“It’s particularly good around heats and AI timing. The system auto drafts the cows that are ready; the AI tech turns up, and whether it’s five or 75 cows, they get the job done quickly.
“It’s a win-win”
Having installed the CowManager in November 2021, Isaac has calculated the system will pay for itself in two years, including the cost of the initial installation and the subscription.
In 2020-21 they had 85 empties after six weeks’ AI and two weeks with herd bulls.
In 2022 there were 71 empties after the same period.
“We got an extra 14 cows in calf with CowManager, which at $2000 each adds up to $28,000,” he said.
“We can trust the system. We couldn’t ever trust tail paint or scratchies completely.”
Before CowManager the Korpershoeks used patches. They were difficult to apply in winter; the cows’ coats were often wet and climbing rails wasn’t safe. But with CowManager it’s now less invasive and the process just flows.
Isaac also likes the subscription system available with CowManager.
If there’s a faulty sensor it is replaced automatically. Upgrades are also automatic and budgeting is predictable.
“At $9000 a year, if we get four or five extra cows in calf, it’s paid its way. It’s a win-win. We’re more profitable and less stressed and we can take more time off.”
A handle on herd health
An added benefit of CowManager is the Health Module which alerts staff to cows that may be struggling — not eating, high temperature or other symptoms.
The module shows real-time cow data; staff can simply check their phones. The system helps them to learn how to pick up on a cow’s health and to observe the animals more closely.
“It’s given us the confidence to go away, to relax. You can have faith in the system and you can check back on your phone from wherever you are. We can go to Melbourne for the footy and know what is going on with the herd at home.”
Putting faith in the product
The CowManager system gives the dairy farmer more information on each cow, which in turn increases their opportunities to provide the cows with better and more targeted care.
For Isaac, this new way of herd monitoring took some time getting used to.
“I was apprehensive at first because of the cost and the way we’ve done it for generations. For previous generations, it’s all been done by observation and being on site, so now we’re letting go some of that control and putting our faith in the product and the technology.”
Now Isaac feels confident in recommending CowManager for the ease of operation and the peace of mind in having an extra set of eyes monitoring the herd.
He and his family can be away from the farm and still be in control, knowing how each cow in the herd is travelling.
“We get more cows in calf and have a better understanding of their health, it’s definitely worth it.”
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