Heat detection has been used for many years at the Koepon dairy farm. The 400 dairy and calving cows are almost all used as recipients for embryos. This is why good heat detection is essential, as the very valuable embryos need to be implanted exactly seven days later. For years, a different heat detection system was used with satisfactory results. Before switching over to investing in Alta Cow Watch with health monitoring, the two managers wanted to know whether the new system would detect a cow in heat at least as accurately and reliably. This is why both systems were used side by side for a month. The conclusion: both the cows in heat and the correct insemination moment are exactly indicated. “But the main value lies in health monitoring”, they both add. The first thing a cow does when it falls ill is to eat less.

According to the Herd manager and the Operations manager, the health monitoring system adds most value by monitoring the transition list. This easily allows them to track the cows that have calved during the past week. “Any cow that doesn’t feed sufficiently will show up as an attention in the system. A cow is only allowed to return from the straw box to the herd when she eats and ruminates sufficiently.” This limits the number of cows with a negative energy balance, which indicates health problems. There are usually no problems with heifers and second-calf cows. It is the older cows that need a little more attention in their experience. Alex: “Sometimes you don’t notice anything about a cow. If she is not fit, however, and has an ongoing negative energy balance, then sending her back to the herd can result in permanent damage.” In the past, the decision was based on feelings and assumptions. “You were actually simply guessing. Thanks to health monitoring, we are now able to monitor them far more accurately and make individual adjustments: cows that really need it will get propylene glycol, while the others will not.”

By combining the data about eating and ruminating, you know exactly what the situation is and can ensure optimal milk production per cow. Alex can also see this in the milk production per cow: “We used to have the group in lactation for up to 60 days, with average milk production always 2 to 3 points lower than for the group from 60 to 120 days. Now the first group is doing just as well as the second group. They start off well and are given something extra when they need it.” Marcel Rijkers states: “By being able to monitor our heifers better and basing our planning accordingly, we are managing to produce 2 liters of milk per cow per day more during the first 60 days in lactation, which means that both the groups, from 0-60 and from 60-120 days, are managing average milk production of between 42 and 43 kg of milk per day.”