New software allows automated cow management – at the touch of a button

A NEW, improved herd software system which allows dairy farmers to set up the farm's computer to automatically carry out a range of everyday herd management activities – without the need for manual intervention – is being launched by leading milking parlour manufacturer Fullwood.

In this way, the new Crystal Version 2.0 software is designed to help producers cut down on time normally spent on routine tasks, says the company's Chris Stevens, particularly if managing more cows or operating with fewer staff.

It also brings a new level of user-friendliness, to encourage users to make better use of computerised herd management, he adds.

"Essentially, the latest Crystal Version 2.0 is designed to perform four key activities," Mr Stevens points out.

"Firstly, it continuously monitors cow performance – by measuring parameters such as milk yield and quality, fertility stage, feed consumption, body weight and milk conductivity as an indicator of mastitis. It does this by gathering data from the animals themselves, the milking parlour, and out-of-parlour feeders.

"Secondly, it identifies any deviations from the norm in these measurements.

"Thirdly, it provides reports on these deviations to alert users to animals requiring attention.

"And fourthly – which is the new section – rather than the herd manager having to then take corrective action manually, the system can now be set up to initiate corrective action automatically – once an animal's measurement deviates above or below a threshold of the operator's own choice."

As examples, Mr Stevens says Crystal Version 2.0 can easily be set so that cows being fed to yield will automatically receive more concentrates through the parlour if yield drops below a required level.

Similarly, animals can be separated automatically for artificial insemination. This is based on a combination of activity recordings pre-determined by the user – such as increased pedometer readings as an indication of bulling, together with animal age, days since calving and other readings.

Likewise, for users of Merlin robotic parlours, the system can be set up so milk is automatically kept out of the bulk tank for a required period after calving.

"As herds get larger, and herd managers have less time for manual observation of individual animals, this type of 'automated animal observation' and 'management by exception' will be become increasingly important," Mr Stevens predicts.

"With the new auto-control feature in place, Crystal Version 2.0 effectively closes the circle of fully computerised herd management.

"Also, herd management software is notoriously under-used by producers – often because they are over-faced with too many pages. By allowing users to select only those screens and reports that they want, we've made Crystal 2.0 very easy to use."

Overall, the aim is to help producers save time and money while maintaining or improving their standards of animal husbandry, he adds.