Nedap has introduced its latest developments in dairy management technology with the release of the SmartSort sort gate and SmartTag Ear.
These innovations aim to enhance the data ecosystem that supports dairy operations, meeting the evolving needs of farmers worldwide. Known for its expertise in automated dairy herd monitoring and management systems, Nedap is extending its offerings to provide dairy operations with more detailed and actionable insights.
Dairy Data Ecosystem Innovations
The new SmartSort sort gate and SmartTag Ear are designed to streamline operations by improving labor and herd efficiencies.
Maarten Idink, managing director of Nedap Livestock Management, notes, “We’re launching the SmartSort sort gate, a highly requested modern and simplified twist on sort gate technology. We are also adding to our monitoring sensor line-up with the SmartTag Ear, a sleek new ear tag for data collection on dairy animals.” These advancements highlight Nedap's commitment to delivering reliable data that benefits both livestock and dairy professionals.
Enhancing Health Checks with SmartSort
SmartSort introduces a highly accurate recognition system with minimal moving parts
SmartSort introduces a highly accurate recognition system with minimal moving parts, reducing stress on cattle and requiring less maintenance. The system boasts a high-capacity operation, allowing farmers to separate and route cattle efficiently based on specific objectives.
At Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, approximately 4,000 cows are sorted per shift using the technology, which has been pivotal for effective health checks and breeding protocols. Pagel’s Ponderosa Herd Manager, Chris Szydel, emphasizes the system's efficiency, stating, “Having the sort gate helps us work with the cows we need without disrupting the rest of the herd. It just streamlines the whole system.”
Increased Throughput and Accuracy
Dave Styer, co-owner of Alfalawn Farm in Menomonie, Wisconsin, also extols the SmartSort system's benefits. “With the SmartSort system, we’ve been able to reach much higher accuracy than with our previous system,” he says. The continuous flow nature of the new sort gate improves throughput, allowing operations to function smoothly without stopping the animals.
The SmartTag Ear captures key metrics such as activity, reproduction, rumination, and eating times. This lightweight, adaptable device stores data for 24 hours and can be easily transferred between animals, ensuring robust data transmission. Sutton Rooks, owner of Milking R Dairy in Okeechobee, Florida, appreciates the SmartTag Ear, noting that “It helps bring those cows to the forefront that need attention and get them back on track.”
Empowering Dairy Management
The cohesive data ecosystem offered by Nedap provides a comprehensive suite of tools that empowers farmers to optimize health, reproductive, and nutrition protocols, track individual cow performance, and improve parlor operations. As Garrett Rooks of Milking R Dairy states, the focus is on addressing issues early to increase the longevity and profitability of the herd.
Nedap’s commitment to advancing dairy management is evident in these innovations designed to support the intricate needs of modern dairy farms. With the Nedap Now platform central to its interconnected data system, dairies can analyze and apply data effectively, improving decision-making and operational efficiency.
The technology pioneer launches new sort gate and ear tag. The SmartSort sort gate and SmartTag Ear are the next evolution in Nedap’s dairy data ecosystem to meet farmers’ needs.
As dairies progress, so do their data and technology needs. Similarly, the dairy insights suite from Nedap, a global pioneer in automated dairy herd monitoring and management technology, is also advancing in depth and breadth.
Dairy data ecosystem
“We’re launching the SmartSort sort gate, a highly requested modern and simplified twist on sort gate technology. We are also adding to our monitoring sensor line-up with the SmartTag Ear, a sleek new ear tag for data collection on dairy animals,” says Maarten Idink, managing director of Nedap Livestock Management.
“These additions to our dairy insights suite mean greater labor and herd efficiencies on-farm. They also underscore our commitment to the development of reliable, accurate data to benefit cows and people,” he adds.
Efficient health checks
The SmartSort sort gate features one recognition point with an unmatched degree of accuracy, few moving parts to reduce cow stress, low maintenance and high-capacity operation. Based on specific goals, users can decide which cows need to be separated or routed and the location to where they need to be sent.
At Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, about 4,000 cows pass through the SmartSort gate per shift. Thanks to this technology, the farm now sorts cows with nearly perfect compliance, which is essential for efficient health checks and breeding protocols.
High-capacity operation
“Having the sort gate helps us work with the cows we need without disrupting the rest of the herd. It just streamlines the whole system,” says Pagel’s Ponderosa Herd Manager Chris Szydel. “The rest of the herd can go back to their pens, eat, drink, walk around, lie down and be a cow. The system does a great job of identifying cows that need attention on a day-to-day basis.”
“If you’re not looking at new technology and new ways of keeping up with the industry, pretty soon you’re behind,” says Dave Styer, co-owner of Alfalawn Farm, Menomonie, Wisconsin. “With the SmartSort system, we’ve been able to reach much higher accuracy than with our previous system. One of the unique things about this system is that it’s a continuous flow sort gate. It doesn’t stop the cows like our previous sort gate, so our throughput is very good. We’re very happy with the SmartSort sort gate and supporting technology.”
Data transmission reliability
The SmartTag Ear captures insights on activity, reproduction, rumination and eating time. Its lightweight, streamlined design includes data storage for 24 hours and is removable for use on other animals. It is built on long-lasting, proven infrastructure used for other Nedap sensors to ensure data transmission reliability.
“To me, the ear tag is just easier to manage than the collars or the pedometers we used to have,” says Sutton Rooks, owner of Milking R Dairy, Okeechobee, Florida. “It helps bring those cows to the forefront that need attention and get them back on track. We’re using everything in our toolbox we possibly can to keep our cows happy and healthy.”
Actionable information ecosystem hub
Adds Garrett Rooks, the fourth generation of Milking R Dairy, “Our goal moving forward with the Nedap tag system is addressing issues before they become a bigger problem. We want to keep cows in our herd as long as we can. Longevity pays, reproduction pays and everything ties together to be a profitable farm.”
These new tools are the latest evolution of Nedap’s data insights suite available to dairy farmers. This interconnected data grid means dairies can track, manage and act on information generated at multiple points around the farm – from cow activity to rumination data to milk production and much more. With the Nedap Now platform at the center of its actionable information ecosystem hub, data flows from hardware into data sensors that flow into the cloud for safekeeping and analysis.
Herd management advances
The integrated insights suite enables users to accurately and efficiently:
- Capture data using ear tags or neck tags
- Sort cows and route them where they need to be
- Locate individual cows for further actions
- Monitor parlour performance with the SmartFlow milk meter
- Use actionable data to empower employees
- Hone health, reproductive and nutrition protocols
“Our technology is trusted to help dairies around the world better manage their herds,” says Idink. “We deeply value that trust and persistently seek ways to assist farmers and improve life on the farm. Our new sort gate and ear tag are our latest innovations to meet these goals.”
“As dairies’ information needs grow and change, we’re leading the way with greater insights and herd management advances they can depend on,” he concludes.
