Health improvements and record-high milk production now go hand in hand at Aarslevgaard near Rødekro in southern Denmark. Since installing the MooMonitor+ monitoring system, the 500-cow herd has seen fewer health issues, lower mortality and a significant increase in milk yield.
Farm owner Jørn Friis Møller is confident that the improvements are closely linked to the installation of the MooMonitor+ system in January 2019.
“We replaced an older heat detection system with MooMonitor+, and the difference has been very clear,” he explains.
Early detection makes the difference
MooMonitor+ works through responders mounted in neck collars on the cows. These responders communicate with a centrally placed antenna with a range of more than 1,000 metres.
The system continuously monitors activity, feed intake and rumination time, providing valuable insight into each cow’s health and behaviour.
“Since installing MooMonitor+, we are seeing far fewer metabolic disorders because we catch problems before they escalate,” says Jørn Friis Møller.
One of the most noticeable improvements has been a dramatic reduction in cases of displaced abomasum, which previously occurred far more frequently in the herd.
Fine-tuning feeding based on real data
According to Jørn Friis Møller, the key lies in better control of rumination data.
“If rumination time drops, we can react immediately by making small, ongoing adjustments to the feed ration,” he explains.
In many cases, cows showing early signs of ketosis are already being treated before a veterinarian detects elevated ketone levels in blood samples.
“With MooMonitor+, we identify these cows one to two days earlier than with traditional visual observation,” he says.
Over the past six months, only a few cases of displaced abomasum have occurred across the entire herd.
Faster response to post-calving issues
The monitoring system has also improved detection of uterine infections, which typically occur in the period shortly after calving.
“When the system indicates abnormal behaviour in a freshly calved cow, we immediately measure her temperature. If it’s elevated, treatment begins right away,” says Jørn Friis Møller.
As a result, almost all fresh cows now get a strong and healthy start to lactation.
Record milk production and lower mortality
Improved health management has translated directly into higher milk yield.
Over the past six months, the herd has averaged 38.5 kg of milk per cow per day. Currently, production has reached 40.5 kg per cow per day with two daily milkings – the highest level ever achieved on the farm.
“I expect total production to increase by around 500 kg of milk per cow this year,” says Jørn Friis Møller.
At the same time, cow mortality has dropped significantly. He estimates a reduction of approximately three percentage points, driven by fewer severe health incidents.
Integrated herd management and mobile access
MooMonitor+ is connected to selection gates, allowing cows in heat or requiring attention to be automatically separated from the herd. This eliminates the need to manually identify cows during or after milking.
“All data is available on the computer in the farm office, and I can also access everything on my mobile phone,” says Jørn Friis Møller.
“That means I always have an overview of the herd, even when I’m not physically present.”
Want earlier detection, healthier cows and higher milk yield in your herd?
Contact Milcotec to learn how MooMonitor+ can support smarter herd management on your farm.
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