Phil Smith
Partner at Breakneck Farm
Preston, United Kingdom
At Breakneck Farm in Preston, UK, Phil Smith and his team are dedicated to optimizing their dairy operations. Managing a herd of 200 cows with a five-block calving system, they aim for efficiency and excellence in milk production. The recent integration of Nedap technology has significantly enhanced their herd management, bringing reliability, improved fertility, and better health monitoring to the forefront of their operations.
When it came to selecting a new cow monitoring system, reliability was a top priority for Phil Smith. “We looked at a few various products and decided on Nedap after talking to neighbors and other farmers,” Phil explains. The installation process was straightforward, completed in just one day by Brian from Cogent. The support from Richard at Cogent post-installation has also been invaluable, ensuring smooth operation and immediate assistance when needed.
“We looked at a few various products and decided on Nedap after talking to neighbors and other farmers.”
One of the standout features of the Nedap system for Breakneck Farm has been its robust health monitoring capabilities. Phil recalls a specific incident involving a cow with mastitis. “The system alerted us with a low yield, our first warning. It helped us catch the subclinical case of mastitis 24 hours before we normally would,” Phil shares. This early detection not only saves time but also reduces the need for antibiotics, getting the milk back into the tank sooner and preserving the health of the cow.
“The system alerted us with a low yield, our first warning. It helped us catch the subclinical case of mastitis 24 hours before we normally would.”
At Breakneck Farm, data is at the heart of their management decisions. The Nedap system provides real-time data that Phil uses every morning to check the health and heat status of the cows. “When I get up and make a coffee, I’m on the app to see what heats there are and if they’re right to serve,” Phil says. This data-driven approach has streamlined their operations, making it easier to manage the herd efficiently and improve overall productivity.
Fertility is a critical aspect of dairy farming, especially with a block-calving system. The precise heat detection offered by Nedap technology has made a substantial difference at Breakneck Farm. “Having a heat detection system that helps is very beneficial. It improves conception rates and ensures cows stay within the five-month calving block, which is vital for financial and management reasons,” Phil explains. This improvement in fertility directly impacts the farm’s profitability by reducing calving intervals and increasing milk production.
“Having a heat detection system that helps is very beneficial. It improves conception rates and ensures cows stay within the five-month calving block, which is vital for financial and management reasons.”
The implementation of Nedap technology at Breakneck Farm has been a game-changer for Phil Smith and his team. From seamless installation and reliable support to enhanced health monitoring and data-driven decision-making, the benefits are clear. “I’m really happy with the system because it’s doing what it says it should do,” Phil concludes. With improved fertility, better cow welfare, and increased efficiency, Breakneck Farm is set on a path to greater productivity and profitability, all thanks to the innovative solutions provided by Nedap.
