Letting cows be cows: How Nedap technology transformed life at Ohlde Family Farms

At Ohlde Family Farms, dairy is in their DNA. With 4,000 cows across three dairies—including two conventional operations and one robotic facility—they’re no strangers to the complexity and demands of modern-day farming. They also raise all their heifers, both for their own needs and for customers. Managing multiple sites, animals, and staff means every improvement in efficiency counts—and that’s exactly where Alta COW WATCH, powered by Nedap, has stepped in to change the game.

Smarter reproduction: 7-8 point increase in preg success rate

“Reproduction is one of the most critical factors for a dairy’s success, and COW WATCH has helped us take it to the next level”, says Michael Rottinghaus, Cattle Manager at Carter Creek, one of three farms of Ohlde Family Farms. “Since implementing the system, our pregnancy success rate has increased by 7-8 points in just two years.”

At Carter Creek Cattle, where they manage 3,000 heifers, the numbers speak for themselves: “Before COW WATCH, we used to have 90% of our heifers pregnant at preg check, now it’s 99% consistently —hardly ever an open heifer at preg check”, states Michael proudly.

COW WATCH’s accurate heat detection helps Ohlde Farms to breed heifers at the right time, every time. Michael estimates: “That efficiency alone means we could pay for the system in just two to three years—pure ROI.”

Better health monitoring = smoother transitions

Before COW WATCH, health issues in dry cow pens often flew under the radar. But now, the system flags rumination changes, giving them early warning signs.

Kyler Ohlde, Managing Partner at Ohlde Family Farms, is very satisfied with all the insights the system provides: “Those cows get checked daily, and if there’s an issue, we handle it right away. That’s really helped smooth out our transition periods.”

Better health management has led to stronger body condition, fewer transition problems, and ultimately, improved reproduction long-term, in Kyler’s experience.

More efficient days, less manual work

From a labor standpoint, COW WATCH has brought a noticeable shift: “We don’t tail paint every day anymore. When our team goes out to check cows, they know exactly where to focus”, Kyler knows. They’ve seen a consistent 80% palpation rate (pregnancy checks), with highs hitting 90%. Even during challenging periods, they rarely drop below the 60s.

Group insights that drive smarter decisions

COW WATCH isn’t just for individual cows—it also helps to see group trends. When dairy managers make a feed change, the system quickly shows whether it’s having a positive effect. “It’s a great management tool that keeps us consistent across all our farms”, Kyler says.

Preparing for the future, one insight at a time

Kyler is also thinking about the future: “We believe technology like COW WATCH is helping us prepare for the next generation. It simplifies our day-to-day, saves time, and supports growth. Everything works together. We don’t need as many people to get through the day. And because we have multiple farms, one system helps us manage them more consistently.”

In a world where efficiency, data, and adaptability are more important than ever, COW WATCH, powered by Nedap, lets farmers focus on what matters most: letting cows be cows.

Let our technology support your farm

Want to discover how Nedap technology can support the future of your farm? Ohlde Family Farms proves it works. Find your local distributor here to introduce this technology to your farm!

Learn more about Nedap CowControl Get in touch with Alta Genetics