Isaac and Angelique took over Isaac’s parents’ farm at Forest in North-West Tasmania fourteen years ago, after developing a succession plan. Today they milk a commercial herd of 350 Friesians on 420 acres (170 hectares).
Angelique works off-farm in a variety of roles and also does the book work, while Isaac manages the farm work with two full time staff. With four young children aged eleven, ten, eight and six, they’ve found the CowManager system has given them greater freedom.
“We can go away with the family and we have this extra set of eyes on the herd to alert us if there is a health issue with one of the cows,” Isaac says. “It’s particularly good around heats and AI timing. The system auto drafts the cows that are ready; the AI tech turns up, and whether its five or 75 cows, they get the job done quickly.”
“We’re more profitable and less stressed”
When installing the system in November 2021, Isaac calculated it will pay for itself in two years, including the cost of the initial installation and the subscription. In 2020-2021 they had 85 empties after six weeks AI and two weeks with herd bulls. In 2022 there were 71 empties after the same period.
“We got an extra fourteen cows in calf with CowManager, which at $2000 each adds up to $28,000,” he says. “We can trust the system. Tail paint or scratchies we could never trust completely.”
Before CowManager the Korpershoeks used patches. They were difficult to apply in winter; the cows’ coats were often wet and climbing rails wasn’t safe. But with CowManager’s Fertility Module it’s now less invasive and the process just flows.
Isaac also likes the CowManager subscription system. For example, if there’s a faulty sensor it’s replaced automatically. Upgrades are also automatic and over-the-air and budgeting is predictable.
“At $9000 a year, if we get four or five extra cows in calf, it’s paid its way. It’s a win-win. We’re more profitable and less stressed and we can take more time off.”
Having Faith in the System
An added benefit of CowManager is the Health Module which alerts staff to cows that may be struggling – not eating, high temperature or other symptoms. The module shows real-time cow data; staff can simply check their phones. Isaac can give anyone access to their cow data by simply adding their email address in MultiView functionality in the system. The system helps them to learn how to pick up on a cow’s health and to observe the animals more closely.
“It’s given us the confidence to go away, to relax. You can have faith in the system and you can check back on your phone from wherever you are. We can go to Melbourne for the footy and know what is going on with the herd at home.”
“Definitely worth it”
The CowManager system gives dairy farmers more information on each cow, which in turn increases their opportunities to provide cows with better and more targeted care. A proactive way of running a business, rather than a reactive way. For Isaac, this new way of herd monitoring this took some getting used to.
“I was apprehensive at first because of the cost and the way we’ve done it for generations. For previous generations, it’s all been done by observation and being on site so now we’re letting go some of that control and putting our faith in the product and the technology.”
Now, Isaac feels confident in recommending CowManager for the ease of operation and the peace of mind in having an extra set of eyes monitoring the herd. He and his family can be away from the farm and still be in control, knowing how each cow in the herd is travelling.
“We get more cows in calf and have a better understanding of their health. It’s definitely worth it.”
WWS Australia
To get in touch with a local representative from WWS Australia and get to know more about the system, check out www.cowmanager.com/Australia.