How Calf Health Monitoring Technology Is Transforming Youngstock Management

Early disease detection, improved calf survival, and lifetime herd performance are now possible through advanced calf monitoring technology. In a recent episode of The Select Sires Podcast, Lori Nagel, DVM, performance specialist for CowManager, shared how modern monitoring systems are changing the way dairy producers manage calf health from the first weeks of life through adulthood.

This summary breaks down the key insights from that conversation and explains how calf health monitoring works, what it detects, and why it matters for today’s dairy operations.

Why Calf Health Monitoring Matters More Than Ever:

Calves represent the future genetic and economic potential of a dairy herd. With shrinking domestic heifer inventories, increased use of sexed semen and beef-on-dairy strategies and rising value of replacement animals, every calf that fails to reach the milking herd represents a significant loss.

Traditional calf monitoring relies heavily on visual observation, which becomes more difficult during winter conditions, labor shortages, or large herd sizes. Technology now fills that gap by providing 24/7 behavioral monitoring to aid the workforce.

What Is CowManager Calf Health Monitoring?

CowManager is a lifetime animal monitoring system that uses an ear-mounted sensor to track behavior. The Youngstock Monitoring Module extends this technology to calves from 1 week of age up to 6 months.

What Makes CowManager Different?

• Uses a single ear sensor for lifetime monitoring
  

• Builds farm-specific and calf-specific algorithms
  

• Monitors behavior continuously, day and night
  

• Detects illness before visible clinical signs appear
  
  

Rather than relying on fixed thresholds, CowManager learns what “normal” looks like for your farm and each individual calf, improving accuracy and reducing false alerts.

What Calf Health Issues Can Be Detected?

Field trials and on-farm use show strong success detecting the most common calfhood diseases, including:

• Pneumonia 

• Scours

• Navel infections

• Other early-stage health disruptions
  
  

In many cases, alerts occur before calves show obvious clinical symptoms, allowing for earlier treatment and better outcomes.

When Should Calves Be Tagged?

Recommended age:

• Typically 1–2 weeks of age
  

Earlier placement possible:

• Some farms successfully tag calves as early as 2–3 days old, depending on breed, ear size, and tagging protocols
  
  

How Soon Is the Data Useful?

• Data collection begins immediately
  

• Usable health alerts typically begin within 2–3 days
  

• Early tagging allows the system to establish a baseline before the high-risk illness window (7–14 days of age)
  

Does Housing or Feeding System Matter?

No. CowManager works effectively across:

• Individual hutches
  

• Group housing
  

• Bottle feeding
  

• Bucket feeding
  

• Automatic feeders
  
  

The system adapts to the farm’s routine and detects changes from normal behavior, regardless of housing style.

How Are Alerts Delivered to Producers?

CowManager presents information through a web dashboard and mobile app, designed for quick decision-making.

Alert Features Include:

• Calf ID and age
  

• Duration of abnormal behavior
  

• Severity classification:
  

• Suspicious

• Sick

• Very Sick

• Prioritized lists for time management
  

“Find My Calf” Feature

Producers can activate a light on the ear sensor, making it easier to locate flagged calves in hutches or group pens, saving time and reducing stress.

Beyond Health: Improving Labor Efficiency and Protocol Compliance

In addition to disease detection, the system provides insights into:

• Feeding times and consistency
  

• Grain and milk consumption patterns
  

• Routine disruptions
  

• Response to stressors such as vaccinations or weaning
  
  

This allows managers to:

• Verify protocols are being followed
  

• Improve consistency across employees
  

• Identify management-related stressors early
  

Battery Life and Lifetime Monitoring

CowManager’s latest sensors offer an expected battery life of up to 8 years, supporting true lifetime monitoring:

1. Calf health (0-6 months)
   

2. Growth and post-weaning transitions
   

3. Fertility and breeding management
   

4. Transition cow monitoring
   

5. Lactation health and productivity
   
   

This ensures that investments in genetics and young stock management continue delivering value throughout the animal’s life.

Proven Results From the Field

Producers using calf health monitoring have reported:

• Earlier disease detection
  

• Improved average daily gain
  

• Higher percentage of heifers entering the milking herd
  

• Better protection of genetic investment
  
  

The system is also being used successfully on beef-on-dairy calves, which now carry significant market value.

Can CowManager Be Used as a Standalone Calf System?

Yes. Producers who already use other cow monitoring platforms can implement CowManager specifically for calf and young stock monitoring.

CowManager specialists work with farms to:

• Configure the system for their management style
  

• Share insights from similar operations
  

• Support implementation and training
  

How to Learn More About CowManager Calf Health Monitoring

Producers interested in seeing the system and dashboards firsthand can:

• Contact their local Select Sires representative, who works closely with CowManager
  

• Visit cowmanager.com to:
  

• View producer success stories
  

• Request a quote
  

• Connect directly with the CowManager team
  

Final Takeaway

Calf health monitoring is no longer just about reacting to sickness, it’s about preventing loss, protecting genetics, and improving long-term herd performance. By combining real-time behavioral data with farm-specific intelligence, CowManager gives producers the tools they need to help calves thrive from the first weeks of life onward.