New cow heat detector system to be unveiled

NMR developed its Silent Herdsman system with a £4.75m Scottish Enterprise research and development programme grant.

It will be unveiled during the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup open day at winner Geoff Spences Lowfields Farm, Brompton, near Northallerton.

It marks the next generation of electronic heat detection monitors and uses advanced motion technology.

Trials carried out at SAC's Acrehead dairy unit showed impressive levels of accuracy compared with similar but older systems. This is down to improved motion detection technology and more intelligent equipment.

Andy Warne, NMR managing director, said: "Silent Herdsman has unique features. The robust collar has a processor that continuously monitors and analyses all motion behaviour in 3D.

"Within this monitor is a solid state motion detector, known as an accelerometer and similar to that used in air bags and the Wii games console, which measures behaviour.

"This is the most advanced motion detection technology available that has been tried and tested to be highly reliable."

The collar can communicate with a farm base station by radio and wireless.

Mr Warne said: "Information is reliably passed to the farm PC 24/7 and is a major step forward from the infra-red devices where information is typically relayed two or three times a day."

The collars have been tested on the 170-cow Holstein herd at SACs Acrehead Farm, Dumfries.

The results, analysed by the University of Strathclyde, gave an accuracy rate of 86pc - ten per cent to 20pc higher than earlier devices.

NMR will supply a package of collars, the base station, PC with Silent Herdsman software and installation for a one-off price.

Data is downloaded when the cows are within 30 to 50 metres of the base station. NMR plans to link Silent Herdsman to its dairy management programs like InterHerd.

The Gold Cup open day is for all producers. It starts at 10.30am with a programme of speakers and chance to look around the herd.