This episode featured as part of the Agritech segment in partnership with Sensehub by MSD.

The homegrown mastitis-detection system Bovonic is now running on 350 New Zealand farms, measuring 7,800 clusters a day. Founder Liam Kampshof has moved to the UK as a beachhead, with 300 units recently sold into Ireland and Australia next on the list.

General manager Chris Morgan says the QuadSense technology uses sensors cut into the milk liners.

“When cows have mastitis, those salt levels go up,” he says.

“By measuring those differences and using some smart algorithms, Liam developed a methodology for quick testing for mastitis.”

The company announced a collaboration with MSD at Fieldays, pairing QuadSense with the ProTrack drafting system. Once a cow is indicated, farmers can draft her automatically through the app.

“We’re seeing a huge reduction in antibiotic use, I think a 74% reduction in bulk somatic cell counts.”

He’s putting the payback on the unit at about six months.

A rotary-shed unit is in development.

This episode featured as part of the Agritech segment in partnership with Sensehub by MSD. To learn more, visit www.sensehub.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.