How SenseHub® Dairy Monitoring Improved Herd Management at Amorangi Farms

This episode featured as part of the CountryWide CONNECT Agritech segment powered by MSD Animal Health.

Why Fraser and Amber Carpenter Adopted SenseHub Dairy

Fraser and Amber Carpenter were drawn to SenseHub’s Dairy monitoring three years ago by the chance to keep a close eye on the herd without being on farm 24/7.

Amorangi Farms Operations and Dairy System

The couple run Amorangi Farms at Papakura, milking 465 cows on 200ha through a 40-a-side herringbone, with a winter milk contract and a beef operation alongside the dairy.

Improving In-Calf Rates Through Better Mating Management

Mating was front of mind from the start, the one area the couple most wanted the technology to prove itself. They had spent years trying to lift their in-calf rate, and the manual approach kept costing time without shifting the numbers.

“We always had three people in the shed with mating, and we knew it wasn’t working,” Amber says.

Setting Clear Goals for Dairy Technology Success

They came in with defined targets rather than expecting an overnight shift.

“We came into it with really clear goals and expectations, so we didn’t overload
ourselves thinking, ‘This is gonna change our world overnight“‘ she says.

Results: Higher In-Calf Rates and Improved Heat Detection

Today, the herd sits at a 78% in-calf rate and a 12% empty rate, with the six-week in-calf rate climbing 5% a year since the collars went in. Staff now pick heat cows through the app rather than waiting for Fraser.

Using Individual Cow Data to Improve Decision-Making

The standout shift for Fraser is the ability to manage cows one at a time.

“Having the information at your fingertips and being able to pick cows out and treat them as individuals has been the biggest game changer” he says. It has reshaped their transition management.

Personalised Transition Management for Better Cow Care

“We put a cow on once a day for ten days post calving as a general rule, but we now realize that some cows only need four days, some might need three weeks, and now we’re able to absolutely look after those cows individually.”

SenseHub Dairy as a Management Tool for Farmers

Kirstin Watts, Monitoring Training Specialist at SenseHub Dairy, says “the gains come when farmers treat the system as a tool rather than a replacement. It’s not going to take day-to-day farming away, but it is going to help with management a lot more”.

Advice for Farmers Considering SenseHub Dairy

Fraser’s message to farmers weighing up the system is to just get into it.
“You should’ve done it two years ago.”

About SenseHub Dairy by MSD Animal Health

This episode featured as part of the CountryWide CONNECT Agritech segment powered by MSD Animal Health. Leading agritech innovation with SenseHub Dairy: the modular, end-to-end dairy system combining animal behaviour monitoring, milk intelligence and automation in one connected platform, backed by MSD Animal Health.

For more information visit www.sensehub.co.nz

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