Sensehub or Nedap

Bellview

I run a suckler set up part time with 20 odd cows and followers. In the next week or so I plan to go with Collars on cows etc to find for heat as I'm not around all the time & I don't want to be messing with teaser bulls etc. I have narrowed down to 2 options Nedap & Sensehub. Both options appear to be well used in dairy herds but for me i won't need drafting etc. I learned that Sensehub have more suckler customers than Nedap. Both suppliers have large enough upfront costs (relative to herd size)

anyone experience of either any big drawbacks to either.. any hidden costs that you learn about 2 or 3 years down the road

thanks in advance for any advice

Mooooo

Don't know of either system but have seen moo monitors, dairymaster versions, for sale secondhand from lads that would have had heifers on an outblock, could be a option to check out.

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118006979#Comment_118006979

For Moo monitor it seems to work best with a teaser. will check up on second hand options

Mooooo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007735#Comment_118007735

Thats moo call I think, the moo monitor has no need for a teaser afaik, just activity based

blackdog1

Needap is supposed to last longer than both before the collars go. So I'd recommend them

mahoney_j

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118008260#Comment_118008260

Just bought the smaxtec system here ,was a toss up between that and nedap but bought smaxtec based on what I’ve seen from friend of mine .if I didn’t but it I’d of bought nedap

blackdog1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118009164#Comment_118009164

After dealing with collars with the heatime system im more inclined for the ear tags myself. only problem is their short lifespan and cost...I'll probably wait till they improve that then buy.

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118009571#Comment_118009571

I just spoke with my vet and his advise was tags.. as I have lock in barriers and collars could get caught..

blackdog1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118009588#Comment_118009588

i have locked barriers was never really a problem that way. problem was they banged them a lot and wouldnt last more than 5 years. This is a long time ago though so things might have improved.

GrasstoMilk

We have SenseHub here, very happy so far

made breeding very easy, but the collars are very noises during milking

friend has nedap, doesn’t get any info until cows area in collecting yard and then the information given isn’t user friendly, says it’s v hard to figure out what information you’re being given

jfh

Listening to newford farm manager, he was singing the praises of moo heat, sucklers like youself

Hard Knocks

What and how much for a good system for 20 sucklers, it’s all AI here no teaser either

Injuryprone

Can't complain about the sensehub. I didn't see anyone bulling that it didn't pick up. Had to take off 1 collar due to sores underneath.

Presumably OP, you're breeding during the winter? Or is your land fairly close around the yard?

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118011247#Comment_118011247

I have a good friend who is using moo heat with a teaser and is really happy so far as well

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118011797#Comment_118011797

yes will be breeding in shed as calve most in Sept.. Once AI complete i will leave in a bull to mop up

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118011797#Comment_118011797

I went with Sense hub - really happy so far... putting on the collars was the tricky part. support from the Allflex team has been superb

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118011760#Comment_118011760

with sensehub I went collars, around 4.5k for 20 collars. the tags are cheaper option. as above really happy so far. I have so far only one repeat when using the collars.. and she was an old cow. i will scan in about a months time and will let in bull then... hopefully he won't have much to do..

Jim_11

What life span do you expect to get out of them? How are you breaking down the cost to make it economical?

jfh

Are there any open days with these systems?

furandfeather

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118617143#Comment_118617143

Any particular reason you went with collars over the tags?

Looking into this myself at the minute. What range can the collars/tags be read from.

Did you look into cow manager at all?

Sorry for all the questions

furandfeather

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118622559#Comment_118622559

collars i have have a 7 year warranty and if cows break them I get a replacement. I'm using on pedigree so I was buying a relatively expensive bull every 2 years, trying to find a bull with right pedigree unrelated etc was a pain ... so now i'm moving 80%+AI and i have a sweeper bull. The collars keep a view on health and i have not really had to use the health yet

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118626715#Comment_118626715

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118626715#Comment_118626715

reasons for collars are more robust... I have sucklers and they are just rough in general. I spoke to lads that had tags & collars and the lads with tags advised might be better with collars... these lads had sucklers. One concern on collars is they could get stuck in lock in barriers... that did not happen to me yet anyway... and putting them on you need to be careful... and putting them on is really a two person job...It would be worth checking with dairy farmers on how they find tags as i know one guy that outs them on his heifers

the collars I have can be read around 500m from the base station. Dairy have a nice advantage here as milk ensures the cows are within range at least twice a day.

I didn't look at cow manager... but from other feedback they also look a good product

best piece of advice i got is speak to a few people and your vet is often a good sounding board as they may see a few different systems... plus a vet will send you to a lad who is not on sales pitch

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118622981#Comment_118622981

i think the companies that sell these might arrange a few - i have not been to one, but there are more farmers with them and generally most lads will share their experience.

jfh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118617143#Comment_118617143

Hey bellview, you mentioned that you went with 20 collars for 20 cows, Could you have gone with less collars and cycle them?

Hard Knocks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118666877#Comment_118666877

Would you have to pay all up front?

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118666877#Comment_118666877

you can change cow associated with a collar but personally i would not advise as you could miss a cow ie you find cow in heat and you may want to leave the collar on for some time after ai.

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118667296#Comment_118667296

i did, not sure if any of suppliers offer finance packages. the one thing to watch is if supplier is a one off payment or if you have an annual sub..need to check which one offers better value over time

gearoid!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118010984#Comment_118010984

Hi @GrasstoMilk , have you tried connecting the SenseHub to a VPN, does it work? Or you will need the Remote Access Registration for online remote access? thanks for answering.

gearoid!

Hi Everyone, could anyone here tell me please if the SenseHub can work over VPN ?

Bellview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118961128#Comment_118961128

hi, it may be best contact rep. pm me if you need details as i can give contact details of person i used.