What is the Smart Cattle System?
A complete IoT-based smart farming solution for dairy farms that utilizes intelligent devices to collect and analyze data, providing farm managers with actionable insights for efficient herd management.
What are the Components of Smart Cattle System?
- Smart Cattle Tags (Ear/Neck-mounted)
- Temperature & Humidity Sensors
- Smart Cattle Software Platform
- On-Farm Communication Network
- Peripheral Smart Devices
- Walk-Through Weighing System
- Automated Body Condition & Mobility Scoring
- Smart Cattle Milk Meter
- RFID-Based Livestock Identification
- Respiratory Gas Analysis Kiosk
How Does the Smart Cattle System Work?
- A dedicated communication network is established on the farm using specialized receivers.
- This network collects data from:
- Smart Cattle Tags (attached to animals)
- Peripheral smart devices (installed across the farm)
- The Smart Cattle software automatically analyzes this data, generating real-time reports and alerts for farm managers, veterinarians, and staff.
What Data Does the Smart Cattle Software Track?
✔ Animal Profile: Birth date, lactation number, last calving date, etc.
✔ Environmental Conditions: Temperature, humidity, and THI (Temperature-Humidity Index) to monitor heat stress. (Requires Smart Cattle sensors)
✔ Activity Budget: Time spent standing/sitting, walking, eating, ruminating, or resting. (Used for estrus detection—e.g., restless cows walk more and eat less during heat.)
✔ Milk Production:
- Yield per milking session/day/custom period
- Milking speed (indicates udder health) (Requires Smart Cattle Milk Meter)
✔ Body Condition Scoring
✔ Weight
✔ Locomotion Score (lameness detection)
(Can be manually entered or automated via Smart Cattle’s walk-through weighing system.)
✔ Real-Time Location Tracking:
- Pinpoint animal locations
✔ Group movement analysis for pen management
✔ Respiratory Gas Analysis: Acetone, ammonia, CO₂, and methane levels for digestive health monitoring.
✔ Events Log: Treatments, calvings, inseminations, etc.
✔ Scoring System: Cleanliness, lameness, rumen health, etc.
Where Is the System Developed?
- Designed, developed, and field-tested in Iran by Servin Technology, a knowledge-based company.
- Electronic components sourced from global industry leaders.
Can Small Farms Use Smart Cattle?
Yes – Scalable for small to mega-sized dairy operations.
Can I Monitor Livestock via Mobile/Tablet?
Yes – Cloud-based platform accessible anywhere with internet.
Is the Software Available in Persian?
Yes – Full Persian support for user convenience.
Is Technical Support Included?
Yes – Comprehensive post-sale support provided.
Why Choose Smart Cattle?
🔹 End-to-End Herd Management
🔹 Precision Health & Welfare Monitoring
🔹 Seamless IoT Integration
🔹 Localized Support
For inquiries, contact Us today!
1. What components does the Smart Cattle milk measurement system include?
The system consists of five main components:
- Milk meter device
- RFID-based animal identification system
- DGN (Data Gathering Node) infrastructure
- Industrial tablet with the Smart Cattle Milk Meter app
- Smart Cattle web-based software
2. How does the system work?
- The RFID reader identifies cows at the entry point and assigns them to milking stalls.
- The milk meter, installed after the claw, records:
- Milking start time
- Milk yield
- Milking speed
- Data is simultaneously sent to:
- The Android tablet app in the milking parlor
- DGN nodes for centralized storage
3. Can components be purchased separately?
Yes.
4. How is milk meter data accessed?
- Via the Smart Cattle Milk Meter app on the milking parlor tablet.
- Displayed on milking parlor screens (if installed).
- Synced to Smart Cattle’s central software through DGN nodes for analysis.
5. How many DGN nodes are needed per milking parlor?
The number depends on parlor layout (each DGN covers 10m radius). The Smart Cattle technical team calculates this during installation.
6. What is the measurement accuracy?
The milk meter complies with ICAR standards.
7. Is the milk meter compatible with all milking systems?
Yes, due to its simple design, but compatibility should be verified per farm.
8. How is the milk meter cleaned?
It is cleaned automatically during standard milking line wash cycles—no additional steps required.
9. Can the system control jetters/pulsators?
Under development.
10. What are the installation requirements?
- Must be installed vertically.
- No location restrictions, but excessive tubing length may reduce vacuum pressure.
11. Are data lost during power/internet outages?
- Power outage: Measurement stops.
- Internet outage: Data is temporarily stored in DGN nodes and synced once connectivity resumes.
12. Can it integrate with other ID systems?
Case-by-case basis (depends on the third-party system).
13. How long does installation take?
15–40 days, depending on farm size.
14. How often is calibration needed?
- Initial calibration during setup.
- Recalibration only if abnormal data is detected.
15. What is the failure rate?
Very low—the device is fully digital.
16. Can the system work without animal ID?
Yes, but cow numbers must be manually entered in the Smart Cattle app/software.
17. Can Smart Cattle GPS tags replace RFID for identification?
No. While GPS tags provide location data, they lack the precision needed for milking parlor sequencing. RFID remains essential.
18. Which devices support the Smart Cattle app?
- Provided with a dedicated industrial tablet.
- Compatible with Android phones/tablets meeting minimum specs.
19. Can one milk meter measure total yield per session?
Not currently—requires a separate product (under evaluation).
20. What after-sales support is provided?
Smart Cattle offers:
- Technical support
- Software updates
What is the RFID Livestock Identification System?
The Smart Cattle livestock identification system is based on the international RFID ISO 11784/5 standard for animal tagging. It consists of RFID tags and RFID readers, which are available in handheld or fixed (gate-mounted) models.
How Does the RFID Livestock Identification System Work?
The RFID system identifies animals by sending electromagnetic waves from an antenna (fixed or handheld) to the tag, which then responds with its unique 15-digit serial number. During installation, each RFID tag is assigned to a specific animal.
Example:
If tag 139384045593211 is assigned to Cow #7129, whenever the RFID reader detects this serial number, the system automatically recognizes that Cow #7129 has passed through the gate (or been scanned).
What is the Difference Between Fixed and Handheld RFID Readers?
- Fixed (Gate) Readers:
Installed at strategic locations (alleys, gates, milking parlors), they automatically scan RFID tags as animals pass through.
- Ensures accurate tracking of animal movement.
- Useful for milking, weighing, or controlled access points.
- Handheld Readers:
Portable scanners that allow on-the-spot tag reading anywhere on the farm.
- Paired with a dedicated mobile app for real-time data access.
- Ideal for manual checks, health inspections, or inventory management.
What is the Difference Between RFID Tags and Smart Cattle Tags?
| Feature |
RFID Tags |
Smart Cattle Tags |
| Power |
Passive (no battery) |
Active (battery-powered) |
| Function |
Only identification (e.g., milking, weighing) |
+ Activity monitoring (rumination, feeding, estrus, health alerts) |
| Data Transmission |
Requires reader scan |
Automatically sends data |
What is the Applications of RFID in Smart Cattle?
- Milking Systems:
- RFID identifies cows at milking stations, linking milk yield data to each animal.
- Body Condition Scoring:
- Ensures correct animal identification during evaluations.
- Gating & Pen Management:
- Antennas at pen entrances track entry/exit times, preventing:
- Unauthorized movement between pens.
- Loss of animals.
What information do Smart Cattle tags provide about livestock?
These tags, attached to the ear or neck of the animal, collect precise data on estrus status, activity levels, rumination, feeding, and resting. They also analyze the animal’s sitting and standing time. Smart Cattle’s software automatically processes this data and generates reports and alerts, providing valuable insights into estrus, animal welfare, and health for farm managers, veterinarians, and technical teams.
Additionally, Smart Cattle is equipped with a GPS tracking system, making it highly effective in locating animals and preventing unintended movement between different pens.
What benefits do Smart Cattle tags offer to livestock farmers?
Smart Cattle enables efficient management and improved farm productivity by accurately detecting estrus, early identification of disease symptoms, and analyzing animal comfort levels. A detailed cost-benefit analysis is available in the related documentation.
In what format is the livestock activity data provided and used?
After analysis, activity data is presented in the form of an animal time budget, which shows the proportion of time an animal spends standing or sitting, along with four key activities: walking, resting, feeding, and rumination over a given period (typically 24 hours).
Since this is a standard veterinary metric, its analysis provides valuable insights into animal health and welfare. For example:
- A cow with limited feeding time (not approaching the feeder) may have digestive issues and should be examined.
- A cow with little sitting or resting time may indicate poor bedding quality or discomfort.
How does knowing the animal’s location benefit the farmer?
Real-time location tracking is highly useful for:
- Detecting unintended movement between pens (e.g., a high-yield cow mistakenly entering a low-yield group).
- Quickly locating a specific cow when needed.
- Conducting instant livestock inventory checks.
- Analyzing animal comfort in pens (uneven distribution may indicate uneven pen conditions).
Does using the collected data require specialized analysis?
Smart Cattle’s intelligent software automatically analyzes data and issues alerts (e.g., for estrus, disease symptoms, or pen exits). Further analysis is also possible using built-in charts and reports.
Can farm experts define custom alerts?
Yes.
How long does it take to install the system on my farm?
Implementation time depends on farm size and the number of sensors required. Typically, the process takes at least three months.
Are Smart Cattle tags suitable for free-stall or pen-based systems?
Smart Cattle tags are not limited to either free-stall or pen-based systems and can be implemented in both.
Do Smart Cattle tags only come in ear tag form?
Smart Cattle tags are available in two models: ear tags and neck collars, selected based on the farmer’s needs.
Is there a risk of tags falling off or getting lost?
While there is always a possibility of tags detaching due to various farm conditions, Smart Cattle can detect such events and send alerts to farmers or staff for prompt reattachment.
Does order quantity affect the final price?
Yes.
What is the return on investment (ROI) period for Smart Cattle tags?
An economic analysis is provided in the related documentation. For more details, contact sales representatives.
What is the warranty and technical support period for Smart Cattle tags?
The tags come with a 1-year warranty and 5-year technical support.
Are Smart Cattle tag batteries replaceable? How long do they last?
Yes, the batteries are replaceable. Standard battery-powered tags last approximately two years.
Do I need to remove the tag to replace the battery?
Yes, the sensor must be detached from the animal to replace the battery.
Do Smart Cattle tags self-charge?
Solar-powered tags recharge when exposed to light (direct sunlight is not required but speeds up charging). Standard battery-powered tags do not self-charge and require replacement when depleted.
Is an internet connection required to use Smart Cattle tags? What speed is needed?
An internet connection is necessary for accessing the software and data remotely. Since data volume is low, average-speed internet is sufficient—no high-speed connection is required.
How is data transmitted?
Data is transmitted via the farm’s communication network and the internet.
Which is better: neck collars or ear tags? Is there a difference?
Both perform similarly; the choice depends on farm requirements.
Can I attach the cow’s ID number to the smart tag?
- Neck collars: ID numbers can be printed on the collar.
- Ear tags: Not recommended due to small size and potential transfer between animals.
If a cow is removed from the herd, can its tag be reused?
Yes, the tag can be reassigned to another animal.
Do I need to tag all animals in the herd?
No, partial tagging is possible. However, full coverage ensures optimal herd movement tracking.
Can Smart Cattle tags be used for heifers?
Yes, there are no restrictions on using tags for heifers.
What’s the difference between solar and battery-powered tags? Do solar tags need constant sunlight?
- Solar tags have rechargeable batteries that charge under ambient light (direct sunlight is not required but improves charging speed).
- Battery-powered tags require manual replacement.