The University of Florida’s Dairy Research Unit has started a new partnership with Afimilk, a global leader in dairy monitoring technologies. Our almost 500 head dairy herd is now wearing brand new activity-tracking collars. These lightweight collars are comparable to a step tracker Fitbit for humans! Coincidentally, these collars happen to be our favorite colors: orange and blue.

The new collars sync with AfiFarm, a herd management software that allows us to monitor both group metrics, such as heat stress and digestive disorders, and activity at the individual level, such as rumination and eating.

This data can offer important insight into the herd’s health. For example, if the collar detects that an animal has had a decrease in steps, that might indicate that there could be possibility of illness, while if it shows an increase in steps that might indicate that the animal is in estrus. Dairy Research Manager Roney Zimpel says having this type of technology “will help us with breeding cows that are in heat efficiently and early identification of diseases”. Zimpel is able to track this information through a computer program as well as an app on his phone. The ability to access the system both online and through a mobile app means he can check on the herd anytime from his office, from home, or even while working in the barns. That 24/7 visibility ensures that no shift in animal behavior goes unnoticed.

Our department prioritizes animal welfare, cutting-edge research, and hands-on student education, and we are excited about how this new program will help us advance our herd management. Students now have the opportunity to learn from real-world data generated by the animals they care for, gaining valuable experience with technology that is increasingly common across the dairy industry. Beyond day-to-day herd management, the Afimilk system is opening new doors for teaching, research, and Extension at the University of Florida.

To learn more about these collars and their vast capabilities, visit https://www.afimilk.com/.

Find more information about the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences on our website. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Read more on UF/IFAS ANS here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/.

1