CALF_News_Oct_Nov_2018

26 CALF News • October | November 2018 • www.calfnews.net AN INNOVATIVE MONITORING EAR TAG, DESIGNED FOR BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS, delivers health, repro- duction and well-being data for indi- vidual females and groups of animals. Launched in June 2018, 15 producers are utilizing the new Allflex SenseTime™ Beef detection system on some 3,000 animals. Researchers spent over 20,000 hours observing beef cattle movements to develop algorithms that identify cattle activities, including rumination, respira- tion and eating. Currently, only cow-calf operators and seedstock producers are using this technology; however, Allflex plans to develop ear tags for additional classes of cattle. Andy Dorn, Beef Business Develop- ment Manager with Allflex USA, Inc., says SenseTime ear tags can detect estrus and health issues such as abor- tions or difficult births (dystocia). They also measure respiration rates, which indicate when a group of animals experi- ence heat stress. Seedstock producers improve AI conception rates by monitor- ing cow and heifer activity and behavior. This program has enabled operators to save time and money by determining which females have silent heat cycles. The system gives the cow-calf operator an advantage by predicting calving dates. “By [using] this data, we’re able to [determine] peak estrus and really hone in on when we should breed that animal,” Dorn explains.“That’s the big- gest low-hanging fruit of this [technol- ogy] — improved conception rates.” This equipment also records times when unusually high activity and heat stress occur. In one case, a herd was active at three in the morning. The producer checked the exhausted heifers by daylight and learned a dog had been chasing them in the early morning hours. In another sce- nario, the system may alert the producer that a cow’s movements are mimicking a sick animal. She could be ill or mothering an ailing calf. Receiving an alert to check an animal may prevent bovine respira- tory disease (BRD) or scours from escalating and spreading among other calves. The rancher or farmer can receive data 24/7 on web-based devices, including computers, smartphones, iPads, Android tablets or any piece of equipment that works with an app. The antenna covers 80 acres or more, depending on the herd’s location. Operators can increase coverage with additional antennas placed near water sources or loafing areas. The battery lasts three years and the tags can be removed and reused on differ- ent animals. Dorn recommends produc- ers use them for a minimum of 10 days to obtain accurate estrus cycle information. “The ear tags hold 24 hours of data,” Dorn explains.“If [a producer] down- loads every 24 hours, he’ll have valuable data to [review].” Allflex offers several software plans. The premium package provides health, estrus and group reporting at $72 per tag. Tags that receive only estrus infor- mation run $56. Dorn says producers can easily upgrade to the premium level. According to Dorn, this system is evolving. He predicts future cattle will have better health with less antibiotic use. Using a stair-step approach, there will be an Allflex SenseTime product for young calves, calves beside their moth- ers or those at weaning. The ultimate goal will be tags for stocker calves and feedyard cattle. While this system benefits cattle by helping to identify health issues in advance, it also improves the farmer’s quality of life. By providing real-time CALF NEWS REVIEWS What’s New? By Gilda V. Bryant Contributing Eitor Allflex SenseTime ™ Technology alerts for animals in distress due to heat, dystocia or illness, the operator can immediately address problems. It also allows the producer freedom to perform other chores with peace of mind. “Don’t be scared [to use these ear tags],” Dorn advises ranchers.“It’s a lot of data coming at you. It’s a lot to change [in an operation]. It’s being able to look at an ear tag on your phone and tell what that cow is doing. That’s a huge differ- ence in management. “Ranchers gaining trust for the system is a big deal. [They may not] trust [the system] in the first breeding season. It’ll take the second one [for them to realize the technology really works]. “Ask as many questions of us and our team as you can think of because that helps us all.We have a lot of cool things, but we also know we’re not the only ones with good ideas. Challenge us and ask questions about the system and what it can do.” For additional information, contact Andy Dorn at adorn@allflexusa.com . 