Advice on Smaxtec Bolus system.

Bangoverthebar · 13-08-2023 8:11pm #1

Hi had a rep out and like what i hear about the Smaxtec system, if half the stuff is true.

Does anyone have it and what is your opinion.

Thanks

Lime Tree Farm · 13-08-2023 8:46pm

I had a look at their webpage, still can't figure out their vague terms and what a bolus in the stomach will tell you about the animal.

Lorne Armstrong · 20-08-2024 9:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309165/advice-on-smaxtec-bolus-system

Hi. Did you invest in this product since you posted this?? It's something I'm starting to think of getting

mahoney_j · 20-08-2024 10:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058309165/advice-on-smaxtec-bolus-system

have it in 2.5 years …..eye on cows 24/7 ….the invisible labour unit in yard …..excellent for heat detection and health ….calving alerts nice feature also …..moved mostly to non antibiotic for treating mastitis due to fact it’s been detected earlier …back up support top notch ….one of best things ever to come on this farm

Freejin · 21-08-2024 7:11am

Had a look at monitoring systems a few years back ( never bought any at the time), and this one stood out as the best to me.

one thing I didn't like about smaxtec was the subscription model of payment, personally would much rather pay up front and be done with it.

Also is there potential in years to come for collars to provide virtual fencing as well, which I don't think would be possible with bolus.

davidk1394 · 21-08-2024 8:26am

I have it. This is my second year with it. Calving detection is fairly accurate, mastitis detection is accurate. I am very pleased with it. You could give hours looking at info on it if you wanted, but I give about 5 minutes a day.

Heat detection is very accurate. I have the low temp, low rumination and low water intake turned off. It tells you what cows to dry off going on their days in milk and how far away they are from Calving. I put in all the information if a cow is treated and what was used. Then I can print off the info for Bord Bia.

I only put in the boluses as the heifers calf. The range for the base station is about 600 meters for me. Power lines shorten the range. I find the back up very good and they'll talk you through any issues. My main reasons for getting it are:

The rolling warranty

No need to get WiFi for the system

Easy to use App and the info is easy read

Lower up front cost

The extra information you get

The only negative is when the cow goes out the gate the bolus does too

mahoney_j · 21-08-2024 8:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122526527#Comment_122526527

second all that ….

mahoney_j · 21-08-2024 8:56am

on the sun …it’s swings /roundabouts …collars have a life span ,straps breakbetc …the transponder in collar will have to be replaced after 6/8 years ..maby more maby less …most likely looking at a cost then with inflation etc of 160/180 per cow …not running down collars or any other system as all pretty good on own ways now …from talking to vet and few other people the feeling was that an internal bolus had to give better more accurate data ….after 2.5 years I ain’t disagreeing

davidk1394 · 21-08-2024 9:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122526660#Comment_122526660

I only saw your post after I commented, I also cut down on antibiotic usage, and like you said it's an extra labour unit that you don't see. I'm fairly neutral about what make people go for but talking to lads the collar batteries have a tendency of going fairly quickly outside of warranty.

I think sense hub have something coming out with a geo fence.