Wednesday, 12 March 2025 14:55

Nedap aims to help farmers maximise herd’s potential

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Nedap currently offers its Cow Collar and cloud software technology in NZ through its business partners. Nedap currently offers its Cow Collar and cloud software technology in NZ through its business partners.

Livestock management technology provider Nedap is on a mission – to put the power of precision farming on the side of New Zealand dairy farmers.

Monitoring six million cows globally, Nedap, headquartered in Groenlo, Netherlands, announced the launch of Nedap New Zealand on January 1 this year.

Nedap currently offers its Cow Collar and cloud software technology in NZ through its business partners - GEA, Waikato Milking Systems, Lely and Censortec - and is looking to introduce Nedap ‘SmartSort’ and Nedap ‘SmartFlow over time.

Nedap general manager Oceania Mike Wilson says the company strives to improve farmers bottom line with Nedap solutions that maximise dairy herd performance and save time, labour and costs.

Wilson told Rural News the Nedap Cow Collar paired with Nedap Now software offers upto- date insights into cow health, fertility, and activity, helping farmers maximise their herd’s potential.

“With 24/7 monitoring, you can reduce labour, make informed decisions, and boost both productivity and animal well-being—all while keeping your farm running smoothly,” says Wilson.

He points out that currently about 18% of New Zealand farmers utilise wearable technology.

However, Nedap expects the adoption rate to rise significantly in the coming years.

“Globally adoption is much higher and Nedap views cow monitoring as a natural step into further on farm automation,” he says.

“Nedap’s business partners are at the cutting edge of robotic milking systems, the Nedap Collar is used to provide insights and identification for these systems globally.”

Nedap Cow Collar automatically tracks signs of heat, such as increased activity, chin resting and mounting behaviour. The system shows a clear list of all cows in heat with their optimal insemination moment for effective insemination with the highest chance of conception. It also provides additional reproduction insights, helping farmers find cows with irregular heats, non-cycling cows and non-pregnant cows.

It’s also suited for health monitoring – to keep cows healthy, fertile and productive.

“Nedap Health Monitoring is an essential tool to keep track of your cow’s health, picking up changes before you see them,” says Wilson.

“The system compares all behaviour with standards for optimum condition, the previous behaviour of the cow and the behaviour of the group she is in and detects changes or abnormalities.

“It provides early and reliable health alerts for cows that need urgent attention and shows a list of cows that need to be checked today, allowing you to treat health issues before they become problems.

“It also enables you to intensively monitor transition cows and posttreatment recovery.”

Wilson says another benefit of the Nedap Now software is that it evaluates group and herd behaviour.

“It shows you how external factors and management decisions may have influenced the herd’s performance.”

Wilson says Nedap will be at the South Island Field Days at Kirwee this month to support dairy farmers.

“New Zealand is a global leader in dairy production. Its dairy industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, contributing over $26 billion in export revenue annually and employing nearly 55,000 people who support many rural towns and communities.

“The adoption of advanced technology is crucial for maintaining this leadership position. Nedap New Zealand and its partners are poised to be pivotal in supporting this industry transformation,” says Wilson.

More like this

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.

First KV Qualidisc 21000T harrow heads

Taking up a considerable portion of the Power Farming site at the recent South Island Agricultural Field Days near Christchurch, the Kverneland Qualidisc 21000T trailed compact disc harrow, the first sold in the southern hemisphere, has a working width of 12.25m.

Minerals make a difference

Ensuring livestock receive a balanced and adequate mineral intake is essential for optimal health and productivity, as they play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including growth, reproduction, and disease resistance.

New seed drill tech coming

Incorporating Vaderstad's latest seed drill technology, the Proceed V 24, is said to improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for New Zealand farmers and growers from the 2026 season.

Featured

Being a rural vet is ‘fantastic’

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.

Editorial: Long overdue!

OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.

National

Helping protect sheep from parasites

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter