MILTON KEYNES, U.K., 5th August 2024 – MSD Animal Health UK Limited (a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK)) has announced an update to its SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock application plan which makes it fully compatible with all nipple-fed calves from birth.
The SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock system uses an electronic ear tag to monitor the behavioural patterns of calves from birth to 12 months of age, to identify any signs of potential ill health or opportunities for long-term welfare improvements.
Previously, the Youngstock plan – which was officially launched in the UK in March 2024 – was only compatible for pre-weaning, nipple-fed calves housed in single occupancy hutches, or for weaned calves housed in group pens. The latest update extends the system’s remit to also include pre-weaning, nipple-fed calves housed in groups.
“Using a monitoring system to oversee the health and welfare indicators of pre- and post-weaned calves reduces the reliance on in-person assessments by experienced staff and ensures that each and every animal within the herd gets off to the best possible start in life,” explains Paul Mitcham, National Sales Manager (Monitoring), MSD Animal Health.
“With the Youngstock system now compatible with pre-weaning calves housed in groups, its value to UK dairy farms – where animal welfare guidelines prevent calves over the age of 8 weeks from being housed in single occupancy pens – has been given a significant boost and makes it the only system able to monitor grouped calves from birth.”
The data generated by the SenseHub Youngstock system enables herd managers and farm vets to ensure each and every animal under their care is being managed as efficiently as possible. Monitoring their animals from birth also allows livestock professionals to use proven data to make informed management decisions which will optimise the lifetime performance of each young animal entering the herd.
As soon as the SenseHub Youngstock system detects any irregular patterns that could be indicative of a developing health or welfare issue, the SenseHub smartphone or desktop app highlights the animal to enable earlier intervention to be taken. A programmable blinking LED on the SenseHub ear tag makes it easier and quicker to locate the relevant animal so that the necessary care or treatment can be administered as quickly as possible.
“SenseHub Youngstock can be used as a standalone system or in combination with other SenseHub plans which monitor the reproduction and rumination status of heifers and adult cows,” Mr Mitcham adds.
The Youngstock application plan can also be funded via a SenseHub GO subscription which spreads the cost of investment. “With zero upfront costs, a GO subscription gives farmers access to the full suite of SenseHub monitoring hardware and software for one affordable monthly payment,” Mr Mitcham coninues.
“With no hidden extras or additional costs, a GO subscription future-proofs the farm’s investment into herd monitoring and offers farmers complete peace of mind by giving them access to the very best herd monitoring and automation technologies with none of the financial risks or capital depreciation losses.”
Find out more
To find out how more about SenseHub Dairy Youngstock, please call the SenseHub team on 01207 265840 or email us at sensehubGB@msd.com.
Alternatively visit https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/farmers/livestock-monitoring.
SenseHub is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease in animals. For the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease in animals, you should consult your veterinarian. The accuracy of the data collected and presented through this product is not intended to match that of medical devices or scientific measurement devices.
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