Welcome to the Smart Farm Hub’s curated list of validated technologies for dairy farmers. This interactive spreadsheet allows you to easily browse and filter technologies based on their specific functions, helping you find the currently available technology solutions to aid in farm management and decision making. Explore the latest innovations and make informed decisions to optimize your dairy farming operations.
To use the filters, simply select the criteria that best match your needs:
Technology Name: Browse technologies by their specific names.
Function: Filter technologies based on their primary use, such as milk quality, nutrition, or animal health & welfare monitoring.
Sensor Type: Choose from various sensor types, including collar, ear tag, camera, and parlor sensor, to find the most suitable technology for your farm.
uw tech list
| Image | Sensor name | Function | Sensor Type | Animal Category | Website | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Active Tag Collars | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Williams, L.R., Fox, D.R., Bishop-Hurley, G.J. and Swain, D.L., 2019. Use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to record grazing beef cattle water point use. Computers and electronics in agriculture, 156, pp.193-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.11.025 |
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Active Tag Ear Tag | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Ear Tag | Cows | 1. Williams, L.R., Fox, D.R., Bishop-Hurley, G.J. and Swain, D.L., 2019. Use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to record grazing beef cattle water point use. Computers and electronics in agriculture, 156, pp.193-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.11.025 |
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Afi Collar | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Leso, L., Becciolini, V., Rossi, G., Camiciottoli, S. and Barbari, M., 2021. Validation of a commercial collar-based sensor for monitoring eating and ruminating behaviour of dairy cows. Animals, 11(10), p.2852. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102852 2. Iqbal, M.W., Draganova, I., Morel, P.C. and Morris, S.T., 2021. Validation of an accelerometer sensor-based collar for monitoring grazing and rumination behaviours in grazing dairy cows. Animals, 11(9), p.2724. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10843 |
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AfiAct II | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Pedometer | Cows | 1. Henriksen, J.C. and Munksgaard, L., 2019. Validation of AfiTagII, a device for automatic measuring of lying behaviour in Holstein and Jersey cows on two different bedding materials. Animal, 13(3), pp.617-621. 2. Borchers, M.R., Chang, Y.M., Tsai, I.C., Wadsworth, B.A. and Bewley, J.M., 2016. A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors. Journal of dairy science, 99(9), pp.7458-7466. |
1. Henriksen, J.C. and Munksgaard, L., 2019. Validation of AfiTagII, a device for automatic measuring of lying behaviour in Holstein and Jersey cows on two different bedding materials. Animal, 13(3), pp.617-621. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731118001623 2.Borchers, M.R., Chang, Y.M., Tsai, I.C., Wadsworth, B.A. and Bewley, J.M., 2016. A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors. Journal of dairy science, 99(9), pp.7458-7466. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092724 |
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FarmFit | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Rumen Bolus | Calves and Cows | 1. Bault, S.A., 2023. Validation of an Indwelling Temperature Bolus in Preweaned Heifer Calves (Master's thesis, The Ohio State University). http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1671878063068911 |
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| AfiLab | Milk Composition and Quality | In-line Parlor Sensor | Cows | 1. Kaniyamattam, K. and De Vries, A., 2014. Agreement between milk fat, protein, and lactose observations collected from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) and a real-time milk analyzer. Journal of dairy science, 97(5), pp.2896-2908. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7690 |
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Compact Smart | Robots and Automation | Calf Feeder | Calves | 1. Costa, J.H., Cantor, M.C. and Neave, H.W., 2021. Symposium review: Precision technologies for dairy calves and management applications. Journal of dairy science, 104(1), pp.1203-1219. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17885 2. Cantor, M.C., Renaud, D.L., Neave, H.W. and Costa, J.H., 2022. Feeding behavior and activity levels are associated with recovery status in dairy calves treated with antimicrobials for Bovine Respiratory Disease. Scientific reports, 12(1), p.4854. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08131-1 |
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Astronaut | Robots and Automation | Automatic Milkin Systems | Cows | 1. King, M., Scott, A., Dallago, G., Pajor, E. and DeVries, T., 2024. Robotic Milking of Dairy Cows: Behaviour and Welfare. In Livestock Handling and Transport (pp. 138-154). https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17885 2. John, A.J., Clark, C.E.F., Freeman, M.J., Kerrisk, K.L., Garcia, S.C. and Halachmi, I., 2016. Milking robot utilization, a successful precision livestock farming evolution. Animal, 10(9), pp.1484-1492. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800625136.0007 |
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Cowmanager | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Ear Tag | Calves and Cows | 1. Reynolds, M.A., Borchers, M.R., Davidson, J.A., Bradley, C.M. and Bewley, J.M., 2019. An evaluation of technology-recorded rumination and feeding behaviors in dairy heifers. Journal of dairy science, 102(7), pp.6555-6558. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15635 2. Borchers, M.R., Chang, Y.M., Tsai, I.C., Wadsworth, B.A. and Bewley, J.M., 2016. A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors. Journal of dairy science, 99(9), pp.7458-7466. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10843 3. Pereira, G.M., Heins, B.J. and Endres, M.I., 2018. Validation of an ear-tag accelerometer sensor to determine rumination, eating, and activity behaviors of grazing dairy cattle. Journal of dairy science, 101(3), pp.2492-2495. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12534 |
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CowControl | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Borchers, M.R., Gavigan, S., Harbers, A. and Bewley, J., 2021. An evaluation of a novel device for measuring eating, rumination, and inactive behaviors in lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Animal, 15(1), p.100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100008 |
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CowScout | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Madureira, A.M.L., Burnett, T.A., Pohler, K.G., Guida, T.G., Sanches Jr, C.P., Vasconcelos, J.L.M. and Cerri, R.L.A., 2020. Greater intensity of estrous expression is associated with improved embryo viability from superovulated Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(6), pp.5641-5646. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17772 |
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CowSeeker | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Borchers, M.R., Gavigan, S., Harbers, A. and Bewley, J., 2021. An evaluation of a novel device for measuring eating, rumination, and inactive behaviors in lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Animal, 15(1), p.100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100008 |
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Halter | Virtual Fencing | Collar | Cows | 1. Verdon, M., Hunt, I. and Rawnsley, R., 2024. The effectiveness of a virtual fencing technology to allocate pasture and herd cows to the milking shed. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(8), pp.6161-6177. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24537 |
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SenseHub Dairy In-Line Sensor | Milk Composition and Quality | In-line Parlor Sensor | Cows | 1. McDougall, S., Kilby, A., Holter, J. and Orchard, R., 2024. Utility of an in-line somatic cell count sensor for selecting cows for dry-cow therapy. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(12), pp.11342-11352. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24898 |
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| DelPro Activity Meters | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Bretzinger, L.F., Hölper, M., Tippenhauer, C.M., Plenio, J.L., Madureira, A., Heuwieser, W. and Borchardt, S., 2024. Evaluation of Four Different Automated Activity Monitoring Systems to Identify Anovulatory Cows in Early Lactation. Animals, 14(21), p.3145. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213145 2. Gaillard, C., Barbu, H., Sørensen, M.T., Sehested, J., Callesen, H. and Vestergaard, M., 2016. Milk yield and estrous behavior during eight consecutive estruses in Holstein cows fed standardized or high energy diets and grouped according to live weight changes in early lactation. Journal of dairy science, 99(4), pp.3134-3143. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10023 |
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IDS I-QUBE | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Pedometer | Calves and Cows | 1. Trénel, P., Jensen, M.B., Decker, E.L. and Skjøth, F., 2009. Quantifying and characterizing behavior in dairy calves using the IceTag automatic recording device. Journal of dairy science, 92(7), pp.3397-3401. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2040 2. Borchers, M.R., Chang, Y.M., Tsai, I.C., Wadsworth, B.A. and Bewley, J.M., 2016. A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors. Journal of dairy science, 99(9), pp.7458-7466. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10843 3. Nielsen, P.P., Fontana, I., Sloth, K.H., Guarino, M. and Blokhuis, H., 2018. Validation and comparison of 2 commercially available activity loggers. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(6), pp.5449-5453. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13784 |
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Lely Qwes | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Borchers, M.R., Gavigan, S., Harbers, A. and Bewley, J., 2021. An evaluation of a novel device for measuring eating, rumination, and inactive behaviors in lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Animal, 15(1), p.100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100008 2. Elischer, M.F., Arceo, M.E., Karcher, E.L. and Siegford, J.M., 2013. Validating the accuracy of activity and rumination monitor data from dairy cows housed in a pasture-based automatic milking system. Journal of dairy science, 96(10), pp.6412-6422. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6790 |
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Moocall Calving Sensor | Calving Detection | Tail Sensor | Cows | 1. Sedó, S.U., Renaud, D.L., Morrison, J., Pearl, D.L., Mee, J.F. and Winder, C.B., 2024. Using an automated tail movement sensor device to predict calving time in dairy cows. JDS communications, 5(4), pp.317-321. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2023-0445 2. Górriz-Martín, L., Koenig, A., Jung, K., Bergforth, W., von Soosten, D., Hoedemaker, M. and Bajcsy, Á.C., 2022. Comparison between a calving predictive system and a routine prepartal examination in german holstein heifers and cows. Veterinary sciences, 9(4), p.192. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9040192 |
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Nofence | Virtual Fencing | Collar | Cows | 1. Hamidi, D., Grinnell, N.A., Komainda, M., Riesch, F., Horn, J., Ammer, S., Traulsen, I., Palme, R., Hamidi, M. and Isselstein, J., 2022. Heifers don't care: no evidence of negative impact on animal welfare of growing heifers when using virtual fences compared to physical fences for grazing. animal, 16(9), p.100614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2022.100614 2. Is Virtual Fencing an Effective Way of Enclosing Cattle? Personality, Herd Behaviour and Welfare https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070842 |
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| Ovalert | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Borchers, M.R., Gavigan, S., Harbers, A. and Bewley, J., 2021. An evaluation of a novel device for measuring eating, rumination, and inactive behaviors in lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Animal, 15(1), p.100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100008 |
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SenseHub Collar | Health and Behavior Monitoring | Collar | Cows | 1. Simultaneous analysis of activity and rumination time, based on collar-mounted sensor technology, of dairy cows over the peri-estrus period https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.10.013 2. Iqbal, M.W., Draganova, I., Morel, P.C. and Morris, S.T., 2021. Validation of an accelerometer sensor-based collar for monitoring grazing and rumination behaviours in grazing dairy cows. Animals, 11(9), p.2724. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10843 |
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| Vence | Virtual Fencing | Collar | Cows | 1. Boyd, C.S., O'Connor, R., Ranches, J., Bohnert, D.W., Bates, J.D., Johnson, D.D., Davies, K.W., Parker, T. and Doherty, K.E., 2022. Virtual fencing effectively excludes cattle from burned sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 81, pp.55-62.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.01.001 2. Goliński, P., Sobolewska, P., Stefańska, B. and Golińska, B., 2022. Virtual fencing technology for cattle management in the pasture feeding system—a review. Agriculture, 13(1), p.91. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010091 |
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| Sensor name | Function | Sensor Type | Animal Category |

















