Developed in New Zealand by herd improvement and agri-technology company LIC, Protrack EZ Heat for herringbones is available now, and on show at Fieldays 2016.
The system was designed to save farmers time and staff resource during the busy mating season, using exclusive camera technology to automatically identify heat events.
LIC Automation chief executive Paul Whiston said the technology was developed to meet farmer demand for a herringbone heat detection solution.
Protrack’s EZ Heat for rotaries had been available for four years and many farmers had asked for a herringbone solution.
Protrack’s EZ Heat system (for both herringbone and rotary sheds) integrates with LIC Automation’s Protrack system to draft cows after heat detection.
The system also integrates with LIC’s MINDA herd management software to record heat events.
Whiston said the heat detection technology was designed to improve efficiency and herd management decisions.
“Protrack EZ Heat reduces production losses through missed heats, while removing the stress and labour costs associated with manual heat detection.”
Identifying cows on heat was critical during the farm’s mating season – and the following year’s production depended on it. “The system is very accurate at detecting activated and missing heat patches,” Whiston said.
The herringbone system had an in-race photo booth that cows walked through as they left the shed after milking. A camera in the booth photographed the cow’s heat patch above its tail, and evaluated the heat patch for signs of activation.
By comparison, the rotary system photographed the heat patch while the cow was on the rotary platform. In both systems, cows deemed to have no activity were drafted back to the paddock. If a patch was deemed activated or missing, the cow was automatically drafted by Protrack to a pen ready for the farmer to inspect and put the cow up for artificial insemination.
Heats detected by Protrack EZ Heat were automatically recorded in MINDA, removing the need for manual data entry.
For the 2016-17 season LIC was offering interest-free terms on a range of products, including Protrack EZ Heat and Protrack drafting solutions.
To find out more about Protrack EZ Heat for herringbones:
• Visit LIC Automation at Fieldays 2016, Mystery Creek, Site E30.
• Freephone: 0800 542 288 (0800 LIC AUTO)
• Email: info@licautomation.co.nz
