Best heat activity monitoring system

[Friesianfan]

Ive had my grant request acceptance for activity monitor and seg gate. Need to start thinking about ordering one. Which one should I go for?

 

[cattow]

I’ve got a bull if you need one

 

[O'Reilly]

Best story I heard lately is where the vet gets a notification from a client's system and says 'joe blogs will be needing an LDA done'. Shortly after, phone goes, 'can you come out to do an LDA?' Think that is the one from wws, cow manager or something.

 

[Sid]

I’ve got a bull if you need one

We use de laval activity on robots with a bull
We have collars on cows but the bull can't read them , Have you got one that can read freeze brands or collars

 

[TheRanger]

They all do the job, it’s the long term reliability that is the big question mark.

How many of your collars will need to be replaced in a 3 year period, a 5 year period, an 8 year period? Generally this is unknown as the systems are redesigned regularly, as technology moves so quickly. But not always for the better, reliability wise.

What is the warranty like, would be a major consideration for me.

Personally I’v used SCR heat time collars and Fullwood pedometers. In order of reliability I’d go: 1) older fullwood pedometers, 2) heattime, 3) newer fullwood pedometers

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Ive had my grant request acceptance for activity monitor and seg gate. Need to start thinking about ordering one. Which one should I go for?

Didn’t think your cows would need these sort of gadgets.

 

[vantage]

I’m on my second Heatime system. Collar transponders have failed before 5 years, probably 10% or more. Nedap have a very good name, the batteries rarely fail before 5 years. The 5 years is the length of time the Heatime transponders are warranted for .

 

[sidjon]

Talk to @Rossymons, help me decide what to go for as he's using several different one's

 

[Sid]

I’m on my second Heatime system. Collar transponders have failed before 5 years, probably 10% or more. Nedap have a very good name, the batteries rarely fail before 5 years. The 5 years is the length of time the Heatime transponders are warranted for .

We have swapped out old de laval that came with s/h robots for new de laval.
Reason was read timings. Hourly read didn't work very well with the grazing.

Transponders are 12 years old and still going.
For sale if anyone wants to make an offer.

 

[vantage]

We have swapped out old de laval that came with s/h robots for new de laval.
Reason was read timings. Hourly read didn't work very well with the grazing.

Transponders are 12 years old and still going.
For sale if anyone wants to make an offer.

Are the new ones instant read via radio link?

 

[Sid]

Are the new ones instant read via radio link?

Either 15 mins or when they go through smart gate. IIRC


Edit
Wouldn't have changed if were housed 24/7

 

[cattow]

We use de laval activity on robots with a bull
We have collars on cows but the bull can't read them , Have you got one that can read freeze brands or collars

Is he wearing the special glasses ?

We're currently training one to keep service records for a customer.

 

[rusty]

Several members of my discussion group have fitted the cow manager ear tag system from world wide sires. One of the members had his first pd session last week and got 106 in calf out 109 put forward, all from the first 9 days of serving.
The only thing I don't like about them is there is an initial purchase price which is not that high but then there is a monthly subscription cost which varies with how many modules you have unlocked.
I have had Fullwood pedometers for 19 years and like them but the world has moved on now and if starting again would be doing something different but not sure what!

 

[Fergieman]

We use de laval activity on robots with a bull
We have collars on cows but the bull can't read them , Have you got one that can read freeze brands or collars

Has the bull missed any that the collars caught?

 

[PDB]

I’m half interested in this.. but the other half of me thinks they will be either worn out or superseded within 5-10yrs then have to spend all over again.
Return needs to cover this

 

[Friesianfan]

Didn’t think your cows would need these sort of gadgets.

I’m going spring calving so need to be on it. Got to tell everyone my 98% in calf to a nine week block! (But I don’t like culling cows out of that block)

 

[SolwayFarmer]

Just had a quote for HerdInsights. Anyone using this? Thanks

 

[Beef farmer]

I’m going spring calving so need to be on it. Got to tell everyone my 98% in calf to a nine week block! (But I don’t like culling cows out of that block)

Sweep with a team of goonhilly bulls whilst at grass, should hit your 98%

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

I’m going spring calving so need to be on it. Got to tell everyone my 98% in calf to a nine week block! (But I don’t like culling cows out of that block)

But I bet your cows just see a bull or ai straw and are in calf.

 

[dinderleat]

Currently looking at systems for heifers to make my life easier, got a Alta collar system coming on trial for 8 weeks had a price on a few others all around the same price 2k base and 80-100 a collar