At Wagner Farms, caring for animals is more than a priority—it’s a core value. Laura Raatz, 5th generation co-owner and herd manager, farms alongside her family in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, where they raise all their youngstock. To enhance calf health and well-being, Wagner Farms integrated CowManager’s Youngstock Monitor into their daily routine in 2024.
The motto at Wagner Farms is: People. Animals. Environment. Laura Raatz, 5th generation co-owner and herd manager, says caring for their animals isn’t just a priority – it’s a pillar for everything they do.
The Youngstock Monitor system provides round-the-clock insights into calf health, allowing Raatz to identify early signs of illness before symptoms become visible. She reviews the health alerts before she begins feeding calves, allowing her to physically check on the calves during chores and determine the level of care each calf needs.
“By pinpointing and finding those calves that are not feeling well sooner, we’re able to get them feeling better faster, before they become truly sick or chronic,” says Raatz.
With years of experience in calf care, Raatz trusts her instincts—but she values the extra layer of security that Youngstock Monitor provides. The system detects health issues earlier, helping the farm reduce illness rates and improve recovery times. She likes that extra peace of mind and believes it has really taken calf health at Wagner Farms to a new level. “The ROI really ties into that,” adds Raatz.
“By pinpointing calves that aren’t feeling well sooner, we help them recover faster—before they become truly sick or chronic.” – Laura Raatz
For Raatz and her team, the benefits of Youngstock Monitor are clear: “This technology ensures that our calves stay healthy, happy and thriving. I would definitely recommend the calf monitoring system to other farms.”
Watch the video to see how Youngstock Monitor supports Wagner Farms!
From Calf to Cow
Our lightweight sensor is designed to last a lifetime, offering a seamless and continuous monitoring solution tailored to your specific farm and your cow's life phase.
Genetic Potential
Fulfill your calves' genetic potential. Effective health management from calf to cow not only unveils the best of their genetic potential but also leads to increased future milk production.
Monitor Your Herd’s Health 24/7
Our Health Module provides early disease detection! CowManager cows live longer, produce more milk, are in better shape and therefore perform better.