With 236 cows in his barn, Jaap Pastoor decided to integrate smaXtec into his farm in Groningen a year and a half ago. This decision has transformed his daily routine in many ways: “I enjoy my work much more now because I’m always one step ahead instead of two steps behind. That means less stress and effort – especially because I can detect diseases at an early stage, preventing many treatments from being necessary in the first place.”
Inner body temperature and rumination
Jaap Pastoor explains what sets smaXtec apart from other systems: “It’s the unmatched accuracy with which it measures body temperature directly from within. Once the bolus is inside the cow, I never have to worry about it getting lost – and more importantly, the measurements are far more precise!”
Rumination is another key factor for Jaap Pastoor: “The rumination data reliably shows me whether my cows are chewing the cud sufficiently. This allows me to detect a displaced abomasum much earlier. Monitoring rumination is especially crucial in the first few days out on pasture when cows consume young, sugar-rich grass. Thanks to smaXtec and its rumination data, we were able to identify and treat several cows for rumen acidosis early – animals that we probably wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.”
“smaXtec monitors around the clock”
“smaXtec monitors my cows around the clock – giving me constant insight and more control over their health. If any abnormalities occur, I receive an immediate alert via the app,” explains Jaap Pastoor.
This also has a significant impact on antibiotic use on his farm: “The daily dose of antibiotics has dropped because we can now start treatment much earlier – whether with natural remedies or painkillers. For animals we are concerned about, we call the vet as soon as possible to prevent more serious issues.”
Increased pregnancy rate by around 30 %
“Since we started using smaXtec, the fertility of our herd has significantly improved,” reports Jaap Pastoor. The system shows the ideal insemination time, eliminating the need for manual heat detection and preventing incorrect inseminations. “The calving interval has shortened considerably, and we need far fewer hormones to achieve pregnancy,” adds Pastoor. “Within just one year, we increased our pregnancy rate by around 30 %. As a result, we now have significantly fewer open cows and a much more efficient reproductive management system overall.”
smaXtec is also invaluable during calving: “Our cows are typically moved to the calving pen two weeks before calving. But thanks to smaXtec’s 24/7 monitoring, I now have an even better overview of the exact calving time – giving us more security and allowing us to provide optimal care for the animals.”
Disease indication notifications thanks to TruAdvice®
“The TruAdvice® technology alerts me in case of a suspected disease and to the onset of mastitis long before any cinical symptoms appear,” says Jaap Pastoor. “This allows me to intervene early and treat the udder with natural remedies or painkillers.” TruAdvice® uses artificial intelligence to notify the farmer immediately of suspected cases of mastitis, ketosis, and milk fever – enabling faster responses, reduced medication use, and healthier cows.
More control, less stress
Thanks to smaXtec, Jaap Pastoor has “a much better understanding of what my cows are doing – or are about to do. It is far more comprehensive than other systems and allows me to work preventively which is a huge advantage. I have complete control at all times, making herd management more efficient, structured, and enjoyable.”
