BCS Targets: Why Body Condition Score Matters at Calving
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a critical element in managing the health and reproduction of the dairy 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.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.