Anne Marie Ryan

“Our days are more organised as a result with less stress and a more productive herd.”

Anne Marie Ryan is managing a herd of 141 cows on her farm in Tipperary and installed the smaXtec system in August 2023. After one year of using the unique bolus-technology, Anne Marie Ryan couldn’t be more pleased with the results. smaXtec has proven to be an invaluable asset in her day-to-day operations on the pasture, she primarily relies on it for its “early and accurate health notifications.”

“Two steps ahead in herd health”

smaXtec’s accuracy in detecting health issues has made a significant impact on the well-being of Anne Marie Ryan’s herd. By identifying diseases before they are even visible, the system enables her to minimise expensive treatments and antibiotic use. “We are two steps ahead regarding the health of our cows. Mastitis can be treated without antibiotics before it becomes a problem,” she states, reflecting one particular incident, where the timely alerts have been crucial: “An in-calf heifer got mastitis when housed over the winter period. smaXtec alerted us to the issue and due to the early detection we saved the quarter.”

Heat detection: Key to breeding success

A key benefit of the smaXtec system for Anne Marie Ryan is its heat detection: “Before milking and heading out to the field, smaXtec already informs you about which cows need to be served and the optimal timing for serving them.” Anne Marie Ryan particularly appreciates smaXtec’s ability to detect silent heats and maintain a detailed heat history for each cow, which can be reviewed prior to the breeding season. This feature allows her “to identify non-cycling cows and act quickly before breeding begins.” To proactively address any issues, she notes, “these cows are then scanned and placed on a PRID program.”

Precise calving alerts

The smaXtec system not only enhances heat detection on Anne Marie Ryan’s farm but also provides timely calving alerts: “smaXtec alerted us to cows we thought would not calve for another day or two.” This early intervention allows Anne Marie Ryan to take decisive actions. Due to the alerts “cows were moved early enough to the calving pen. This removed the danger of calves being born in the cubicle shed and get hurt by the electric scraper.” Moreover, smaXtec supports Anne Marie Ryan in managing her cows around calving more effectively: “The calving notifications take pressure off the main calving unit during the busy times. smaXtec also gives you a list of cows that are due to calve in the coming days so plans can be put in place.”

Change in daily work

For Anne Marie Ryan, smaXtec has changed her daily farm routine: “You know before you leave the house in the morning what is going on with the herd”, she explains. “Our days are more organised as a result with less stress and a more productive herd.” Anne Marie Ryan also notes a huge improvement in her quality of life: “We have peace of mind knowing that smaXtec is working away in the background and that the system will pick up on unwell animals that may have been missed during milking or over the housed period.”

Benefits that pay off

“I would recommend smaXtec due to the quality of the health alerts and also the backup. The support service from the smaXtec team is exceptional.” According to Anne Marie Ryan, investing in cutting-edge technology has paid off in both profitability and improved herd health.