Heat Detection CowManager or Smaxtec

stretch film

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123308840#Comment_123308840

The features of the bolus around calving are some job at a busy time of year

Morris Moss

Big plus with collars is with a drafting gate, don't even have to look at anything, cows in heat will be waiting in the yard.

mahoney_j

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123308890#Comment_123308890

it’s the one thing for me that’s least impressive ….very hit and miss …nice feature but wasn’t huge part of why I went with Smaxtec

stretch film

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123308942#Comment_123308942

Calving alert , watching for milk fever and a good eye on metritis and Mastitis is what I mean.

visatorro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309066#Comment_123309066

How does it tell you it has mastitis? Is it just higher temp and maybe lower rumination? Or milk fever

stretch film

Temp rise would alert cow . Cmt first chance I get . If clear then would make sure and do a check with the scoop for metritis first chance

Distinct temp drop in run in to calving . Id be slow to ignore an alert tbh esp if she's visibly taking shape .

If cow doesnt see a raise in body temp post calving then it's a likely case of milk fever

mr.stonewall

Looking at it from a suckler point of view would a mobile base station be a better option. For dairy cows they will be passing thru the yard twice a day and probably by the base station 4 times.

Trying to get my head around the workings of it with suckler would a fixed base station be more limited by the line of sight, trees and terrain, this leading to less info being transmitted.

Power wouldnt be a huge supply to these and there must be a means to solving it cheaply

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123310592#Comment_123310592

I know the Moonsyst comes with an IOT sim card, so it can be setup anywhere there is mobile signal. Easily powered by solar if you need a remote setup. Others may have similar or just use with a mobile internet MiFi device.

patsy_mccabe

What's the cost?

RightTurnClyde

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Right or wrong I went with Cowmanager. Initial capital cost was 50% more with smaxtec, 15% more on subscription plus having to buy 20-25% replacement boluses every year made it too expensive for me.

Heat detection is by far the biggest reason for me for purchasing it. It seems to be as good as any other company for this.

The health/rumination/Calving monitoring in the smaxtec seems very good but for me at the moment, not an issue.

We'll see how it goes

mahoney_j

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123313455#Comment_123313455

best of luck with it

straight

I've been planning on getting a health system since I stated farming but didn't get around to it yet. They are very popular now. There is alot of choice.

I like The bolus because it's out of sight, out of mind. Could do without the job of fixing collars and tags. I got one of my neighbours moo monitor collars in the middle of a field recently. A fox must have brought it.

Moonsyst is another bolus company.

I'll pull the trigger next year and get the TAMs on it.