Emma Holden

Together with her mother, Emma Holden runs a dairy farm near Larne in Northern Ireland. Their operation combines a free-range laying unit with a dairy farm, where they milk 100 cows, calving between September and March. In June 2023, after evaluating various systems on the market, Emma decided that smaXtec was the perfect fit for her needs. Now, nearly 18 months later, the system has become an essential part of their daily farming routine. “smaXtec has exceeded all expectations we could have had,” says Emma Holden.

Crucial parameters: Inner body temperature & rumination

Thanks to smaXtec’s preventive health management Emma Holden is able to detect health issues early, leading to better management of her cows’ health. As Emma explains, “The constant monitoring of inner body temperature and rumination has enabled me to decrease antibiotic usage throughout the herd significantly and save cows before they’re too far gone. It’s not only improved cow welfare, but it has also resulted in significant financial savings.”

Latest features: Digital Assistant & TruAdvice^®

Emma Holden is particularly pleased with the latest features added to the smaXtec system. She shares, “Mastitis detection has always been accurate, picking up cows long before we notice any clinical signs. The recent development of the Digital Assistant and TruAdvice^® technology regarding ketosis and milk fever has been a great addition to the system.”

The new Digital Assistant now provides automated management lists, streamlining daily tasks and making life on the dairy farm significantly easier. Combined with the TruAdvice^® disease indication notifications, the system allows Emma Holden to manage her herd preventively, addressing potential health issues before they become critical.

Heat detection & better reproduction

Another big advantage Emma Holden noticed was in reproduction: “smaXtec is very accurate at detecting heats, giving us a precise insemination window. I have also seen a significant improvement in identifying fertility issues, which has increased conception rates by catching the problem earlier.”

Moreover, the system has streamlined the entire AI process. Emma Holden reports, “Thanks to smaXtec, I no longer need to walk the herd and chalk cows. All AI work can now be done in-house.” This saves time and reduces labour, while still ensuring high success rates.

Precise calving alerts

Since the installation the calving management has also improved. Emma Holden explains, “The calving alerts of smaXtec have allowed me to manage my dry cows much more efficiently. I could not find another system on the market that offers a service like this. Overall, the whole calving pattern across the herd has just tightened up fantastically.”

“It’s like having a 24/7 stock person living with the cows.“

In conclusion, Emma Holden emphasises the significant value smaXtec has brought to her farm. “After 18 months, the cost of the system is minimal compared to the savings and benefits it has brought to my business. It’s like having a 24/7 stock person living with the cows.” She also highlights the customer support, particularly during the initial setup period, and the ongoing help from a dedicated team of experts. “There’s always someone at the other end of the phone, ready to help and support you,” she says.