It’s been a few years now since wearable technology really took off – and plenty of you have taken the plunge.
But once the collars are on and the alerts start pinging, a new question crops up: What exactly are you meant to do with all this information? You’re not alone if you’ve ever opened your app and thought, “Cool... now what?”.
Here’s the truth: the tech works. But without a way to connect the dots, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in data and still missing the point.
Here at CowSmart, we want more farmers to know:
1. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first.
Getting collars isn’t like flipping a switch, it’s more like installing a new set of eyes. It takes time to learn what not to pay attention to, and where the real benefits lie.
2. Most of the benefit comes from what you do between alerts.
The sick cow notification is handy, but the real value comes from what happens next.
The insights gained from stepping back, looking at things from a herd level, and asking, ‘How many cows have actually been sick?’ and ‘Could we improve it?’ can have a big impact on reproductive performance.
Collars are here to stay – but we think the best thing you can do with them isn’t in the manual. It’s asking better questions, like: “What’s this telling me about my herd?”, “Am I seeing the cows I need to see?”, and “How do I know if things are improving, or just ticking along?”. We can help you find the answers.
3. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
The most successful farms we’ve seen don’t just use their collars – they use their support networks.
Having your vet team involved can make a huge difference, as issues may get picked up early, and they can help train your team on what to treat, what to watch, and what needs vet involvement. Your KeyVet is well placed to tie it all together, knowing your farm, your animals, and working with your people on the ground.
It’s worth making the most of the support from your collar company and farm advisors as well. Each brings something useful to the table.
The great news is CowSmart is now a tool you can utilise too.
I’m Line Ferriman, the vet, farmer and data analyst heading up CowSmart, a vet-led collar reporting service that supports practical, on-farm decision-making through data. CowSmart has recently partnered with VetSouth to offer this support across the southern region.
Some of you might know Elena Knupfer from her time as a VetSouth vet. She’s now part of the CowSmart team and continues to help farmers in the South.
If you’ve got collars and feel like you’re only scratching the surface of the data, ask your vet about CowSmart. Elena and I would love to help you get more out of the tech you already own.
