Afimilk launches calving alert service for dairy farmers

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Afimilk has introduced a calving alert system into its AfiAct II system, to detect the onset of calving.
Afimilk has introduced a calving alert system into its AfiAct II system, to detect the onset of calving.

Related tags Cattle Dairy farmers

Afimilk Ltd, a global provider of dairy farm management solutions, has integrated a calving alert service into its AfiAct II cow monitoring system.

The Israel-based company says its new technology will help dairy farmers instantly identify and quickly assist cows experiencing difficult labor, also known as dystocia.

Dr Alon Arazi, DVM, a senior member of the Afimilk research team, said the new system will help dairy farmers more accurately detect the onset of calving, and be better prepared for potentially costly events such as dystocia.

Difficult labor is associated with increased calf mortality and morbidity. A study in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science by AC Barrier, et al, showed that up to half of first-calf Holstein cows in the US require intervention from a farmer or veterinarian during labor.

Arazi said that monitoring is time consuming and dependent on the observer’s skills and experience, while automatic monitoring, such as through this system, provides for 24/7 control, which is also more labor efficient.

How it works

Afimilk says that AfiAct II is the first leg-tag system programmed to issue notifications specifically for prolonged labor.

Alerts are sent wirelessly from a leg-mounted sensor to a smartphone when calving begins, and again if calving is prolonged.

In addition to calving, AfiAct II detects other conditions based on activity and resting behavior, including estrus, abortion, cow comfort problems and illness.

Related topics R&D Fresh Milk

Related news