Farmers, vets and industry experts gathered at a Lancashire farm recently to see first-hand how a rumen bolus-based health management system is delivering significant improvements in herd health, fertility and overall productivity.
The smaXtec system was installed at Blackmoss Farm, near Preston, at the end of 2024 for use across its 250 predominantly Holstein cows.
The technology uses an ingestible bolus that remains securely in the cow’s reticulum, providing early alerts on health, reproduction, and feeding based on direct internal measurements.
This is achieved through the bolus delivering continuous and precise data on internal body temperature and other key health parameters from within the cow.
Farm Manager Ed Swindlehurst told the event that in the first four months after installing the boluses, injectable antibiotic use had dropped by 52%, while the use of antibiotic tubes dropped by 62%.
“The boluses were installed to replace an existing collar system and give us a deeper level of insight into cow health,” he explained.
“The system aligns perfectly with our preventative approach to herd health; the fact the boluses provide accurate data on inner body temperature, water intake and drinking cycles, rumination, and activity made the decision to get them a no-brainer,” he added.
Notable improvements in herd performance
In addition to reductions in antibiotic usage since installing the boluses, Mr Swindlehurst told delegates that the use of AHV boluses and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had also reduced by 50%.
He also reported notable improvements in herd performance and said: “Cow numbers have increased from 278 to 288, average milk yield has risen from 10,700 to 10,988 litres, and our rolling heat detection rate has improved notably from 69.75% to 74.5% already.”
Herd Manager Jamie Waller agreed and said the boluses had made his life easier and allowed him to take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to herd health.
He said: “The system has had a massive impact in such a short period of time. It sees things we can’t see from the outside, and because it updates so often, I’m able to keep a close eye on how cows are performing and take any action, if necessary.” He said the system removed guesswork and provided vital information for vets and nutritionists, which in turn, aids their advice.
Empowering farmers
Robert Kirk, UK Country Sales Manager at smaXtec, told delegates that the results at Blackmoss Farm demonstrated the value of direct internal monitoring.
He highlighted how smaXtec enables the earliest possible detection of health issues and diseases long before visible symptoms occur, while delivering highly accurate heat detection, and timely calving alerts.
Mr Kirk said: “By continuously collecting data from within the cow, the system empowers farmers to act faster, treat more precisely, and significantly improve overall herd health and performance.
“The results the Blackmoss team has seen in just four months speak for themselves, and we’re excited to see how the system continues to support their business in the months ahead.
“Not only is the farm supporting good antimicrobial stewardship, but it’s also achieving improvements in fertility and productivity.”
Meanwhile, Robert Morrison, Head of Farms at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, told delegates about the use of technology – including the smaXtec system – at the centre’s South West Dairy Development Centre in Somerset. He said: “To produce more with less, we need data to properly manage businesses. Data doesn’t need to be difficult or scary; you just need to have the right method – or system – for interpreting it.”