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Smart Cow Collars

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Re: Smart Cow Collars

#31

Post by iamwpj »

So I grew up on a dairy farm and we had electronic id badges since the mid-90's (actually there was a Surge system before that, but the main one was a DeLavel in 1997). We had a variety of issues that these were good for, but the gist is that the cow's identity is scanned and matched with statistics regarding her milking. Everytime she entered the parlor she was id-ed and then the system could be configured to separate her from the herd based on rules or by a preconfigured request. It is still how my parents do herd management; except ow they have a button in their ear a little bigger than a quarter.

I see some major drawbacks for things like this:

1. Because of the way cows behavior naturally they will get their neck band caught on something. Extrication can become dire and stressful. A few deaths and a system like this is simply not worth it.

2. These will be roughed up -- like a lot. Cows like to play in water and rub on things. If this company doesn't last you'll be SOL quick enough that your initial investment won't pay off (saying nothing of software dependencies...)

3. The point of interacting with cows manually is to see her. Even in herds in the 1000s someone familiar with the herd will recognize cows (especially past problem ones) and can also see issues before they become a risk for her.

Cows are very well adjusted to being taken care of by humans. Everytime you back off the human component from herd management the domesticated cow will be less cared for.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#32

Post by floren »

iamwpj wrote: post #31

So I grew up on a dairy farm and we had electronic id badges since the mid-90's (actually there was a Surge system before that, but the main one was a DeLavel in 1997). We had a variety of issues that these were good for, but the gist is that the cow's identity is scanned and matched with statistics regarding her milking. Everytime she entered the parlor she was id-ed and then the system could be configured to separa…

The bands also look poorly-suited for interfacing with the standard lockups used for artificial insemination and preg-checking.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#33

Post by iamwpj »

prawn wrote: post #20

I did some video work this year for Nedap out of the Netherlands who have cow collars that track heat detection and health issues. e.g., they’ll track reduced movement or tossing of the head, rumination, etc. Coupled with smart gates at the dairy, they can isolate cows automatically to health pens for review, etc. One dairy we visited had robotic milk machines running all night. The cows return as needed and the cups…

Their methodology of allowing the herd to function independently and then focusing data collection on health issues and consistency is the right idea here. You want to measure time spent caring for the herd against time spent perform actions to continue to collect milk from the herd. It's a balance, but if you can get more efficient human time spent caring for the herd (good health sensors!) then you're always going to see a happier cow.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#34

Post by floren »

prawn wrote: post #20

I did some video work this year for Nedap out of the Netherlands who have cow collars that track heat detection and health issues. e.g., they’ll track reduced movement or tossing of the head, rumination, etc. Coupled with smart gates at the dairy, they can isolate cows automatically to health pens for review, etc. One dairy we visited had robotic milk machines running all night. The cows return as needed and the cups…

Did the milking machines clean the teats before beginning the milking, too?

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#35

Post by iamwpj »

floren wrote: post #32
iamwpj wrote: post #31

So I grew up on a dairy farm and we had electronic id badges since the mid-90's (actually there was a Surge system before that, but the main one was a DeLavel in 1997). We had a variety of issues that these were good for, but the gist is that the cow's identity is scanned and matched with statistics regarding her milking. Everytime she entered the parlor she was id-ed and then the system could be configured to separa…

The bands also look poorly-suited for interfacing with the standard lockups used for artificial insemination and preg-checking.

Yes getting in and out of a stanchion is a scary experience for the cow and human both! Adding a chunk around the neck that could make entering and exiting more difficult can pose risks for both parties.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#36

Post by prawn »

floren wrote: post #34
prawn wrote: post #20

I did some video work this year for Nedap out of the Netherlands who have cow collars that track heat detection and health issues. e.g., they’ll track reduced movement or tossing of the head, rumination, etc. Coupled with smart gates at the dairy, they can isolate cows automatically to health pens for review, etc. One dairy we visited had robotic milk machines running all night. The cows return as needed and the cups…

Did the milking machines clean the teats before beginning the milking, too?

Yes, the teats are cleaned, cups cleaned, all automatically. Cow is fed during and has optional feed afterwards. Instead of there being a fixed milking time, the cows just come in whenever they feel like it - encouraged by the feeling of relief. They’d auto-detect mastitis etc.

Obviously people have views on dairy but the tech was very cool to see up close. The dairy family could look up on their phone, any particular cow and get info on milk volume and timings.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#37

Post by floren »

prawn wrote: post #36
floren wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did the milking machines clean the teats before beginning the milking, too?

Yes, the teats are cleaned, cups cleaned, all automatically. Cow is fed during and has optional feed afterwards. Instead of there being a fixed milking time, the cows just come in whenever they feel like it - encouraged by the feeling of relief. They’d auto-detect mastitis etc. Obviously people have views on dairy but the tech was very cool to see up close. The dairy family could look up on their phone, any particula…

That's very cool. I have mixed feelings on replacing humans in yet another role, but if it can do a better job than humans (automatically dump & flag mastitis cases, clean more thoroughly, etc.) it's a win.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#39

Post by SteveGerencser »

iamwpj wrote: post #31

So I grew up on a dairy farm and we had electronic id badges since the mid-90's (actually there was a Surge system before that, but the main one was a DeLavel in 1997). We had a variety of issues that these were good for, but the gist is that the cow's identity is scanned and matched with statistics regarding her milking. Everytime she entered the parlor she was id-ed and then the system could be configured to separa…

Very much this. Even more with places like ours where all of our cows have horns (highlands). I can see all sorts of bad things happening when two cows get hooked together when a horn slips under another cow's collar.

Add to that, my wife can gather and guide the entire herd with a bucket full of cubes, or every even random junk in a pinch to get them to go anywhere she wants whenever she wants.

Re: Smart Cow Collars

#40

Post by SteveGerencser »

01100011 wrote: post #30
bayindirh wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cows are pretty smart and self-aware animals (e.g. they are ashamed if they are seen by their peers during milk extraction). I'm not sure that they'll take an aggressive stance against the collars if it's not used abusively. On the contrary, they might be more content if they are both being able to roam outside and be warned of the limits without being irritated so much. AFAIK, cows are not aggressive animals unless…

> they are ashamed if they are seen by their peers during milk extraction Do you have a link discussing this? I find it hilarious and fascinating and I'd like to learn more. Thanks!

We raise beef cows but all of our moms are shy nursers. Especially early on in a baby's life. We make sure the baby is alive and thriving and then stay away. I've seen mom's toss off a nursing calf just because she saw you looking at her so many times now that we try hard to avoid being seen at all in the first few days.
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