Niels Buijs

In the Dutch province of Drenthe, Niels Buijs runs a dairy farm with nearly 750 cows. Since December 2022, the farmer has been using the smaXtec system, which has provided noticeable relief – for his cows, his employees, and himself.

Faster response, better control

“With smaXtec, we monitor the health of our animals 24/7 at both locations of our farm. The system alerts us early if something is wrong with an animal, allowing us to react faster and have much better control,“ explains the farmer. In the summer of 2023, for example, he was able to detect pneumonia early in several cows and intervene in time. He adds, “My employees also benefit from smaXtec, as they can work more efficiently thanks to the system’s early alerts.“

Efficient resource management with smaXtec

Satisfied and productive employees are crucial to Niels Buijs success. With smaXtec, the farmer has found a system that not only improves herd health but also makes collaboration with his team more efficient. “smaXtec gives me insights into the condition of my cows around the clock. At the same time, as an employer, I can instantly see where and how my employees are needed and deploy them accordingly.“

The optimal use of resources is particularly important for Niels Buijs, as he has a lot of external milking staff on the farm. Health checks are mainly carried out by the herd managers. “Thanks to smaXtec, I can establish clear responsibilities and define roles, which helps everyone focus on their specific tasks,“ says the farmer.

Better reproductive results

The smaXtec system has proven highly effective in improving reproduction management on Niels Buijs’ farm. The farmer particularly benefits from the system’s precision during calving: “With limited space for our calving pens, smaXtec ensures we always place the right cow in the right pen at the right time. Previously, we often kept animals in straw pens longer than necessary, but that is now a thing of the past.“

Another significant advantage is the system’s precise heat detection. “Since installing smaXtec, we haven’t missed a single heat – whether in cows or heifers. This has led to noticeably better results. The average calving age of our heifers has dropped to 23 months, and it continues to improve.“

Streamlined efficiency for everyday farming

“smaXtec provides more transparency in animal health and allows us to react faster and plan better,“ the farmer concludes. The smaXtec system gives him and his employees more control and provides a noticeable relief in everyday operations. “It enables us to run the farm more efficiently and ensures that our animals are optimally cared for – anytime and anywhere.“