Lely Calm Automatic Calf Feeder Aims to Improve Calf Health and Farm Efficiency
The first weeks of a calf's life quietly shape the future of the entire herd.
A completely redesigned user interface now displays key information in a clearer and more accessible manner.
At the heart of the SmaXtec system is the ability to monitor animal health, including early disease detection, alongside reproduction issues such as heat identification, optimal insemination windows, calving notifications-on average 15 hours before the eventalongside abortion detection and fertility issues.
Centred around a onetime administered, lifetime bolus, the device monitors body temperature and drinking behaviour, looking at both frequency and intake volumes. Other key indicators monitored include rumination, via reticulum contractions, general movement activity and optional reticulum PH monitoring.
Collected data is passed seamlessly to a Base Station, where an integral climate sensor provides additional information on ambient temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The combined data stream is moved to The Cloud, to be analysed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) alongside long-standing , proven and evolving algorithms.
Recognising every dairy farm is unique, SmaXtec has recently updated its health management offering to deliver even more personalised, intuitive, and efficient notifications.
The latest software known as smaXtec Web fits seamlessly into daily dairy operations, with an AI-powered digital assistant.
The system helps farmers keep an eye on their animals and simplifies everyday tasks on the pasture, with automatic reports, practical lists, and clear actions and recommendations.
A completely redesigned user interface now displays key information in a clearer and more accessible manner, with easier to interpret graphs making navigation more straightforward and significantly improved usability. A quick glance at the dashboard offers new updates, such as: Which cows are due for hoof trimming? Which freshly calved animals need special attention, and potential mastitis cases are also automatically listed. Farmers not only see which animals are affected but also receive concrete action recommendations from the AI-powered digital assistant, such as performing a CMT test.
Healthy snacking company Rockit has announced Wang Yibo, one of China's most influential celebrities, as its new brand ambassador.
Rabobank has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its AgPathways Programme, with 23 farmers from Otago and Southland gathering for two-and-a-half days to learn new business management and planning skills.
Adopting strategies to reduce worm burden on farm goes hand-in--hand with best practice farm management practices to optimise stock production and performance, veterinarian Andrew Roe says.
Last night saw the winners of the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Awards named at a gala dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
A 12-month pathway programme has helped kickstart a career in dairy for an 18-year-old student-turned-farmer.
Zespri says its global fruit sales revenue has reached a record NZ$5.9 billion from sales of 248.1 million trays.
OPINION: Reckless action by Greenpeace in 2024 forced Fonterra to shut down a drying plant for four hours, costing the co-op…
OPINION: The global crusade against fossil fuel is gaining momentum in some regions.