Merck Animal Health’s Game-Changing Tech: Transforming Dairy Calf and Livestock Management with Smart Monitoring and Advanced RFID Readers
Merck Animal Health is reshaping the future of livestock management with two new technologies aimed at enhancing efficiency, animal welfare, and data accuracy on the farm. With the recent launch of SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock, the first monitoring system tailored for calves from birth through their first year, and the wide availability of ALLFLEX APR handheld RFID readers, Merck is giving producers powerful tools to improve operations, ensure animal health, and streamline information management.
SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock: Revolutionizing Calf Monitoring
SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock introduces a new way for dairy producers to monitor calves in real-time, from birth up to 12 months old. Using proprietary, science-based algorithms, this innovative ear tag system continuously tracks calf behaviors to help identify potential health issues early. If a calf’s behavior deviates from its individual norm, the ear tag, equipped with a blinking LED light, alerts farm workers to the calf’s specific location for immediate intervention.
According to Merck Animal Health, this technology aims to improve calf health management by enabling timely responses to early health concerns, thereby increasing the survival and growth rates of youngstock. The system is compatible with various management setups, from individual hutches to group pens, making it adaptable across operations. This continuous monitoring not only prioritizes vulnerable animals but also supports the development of healthier herd replacements, reducing long-term operational risks for dairy producers.
ALLFLEX APR RFID Readers: Bringing Precision and Efficiency to Data Collection
Complementing the SenseHub® monitoring system, Merck Animal Health has introduced the ALLFLEX APR series of handheld RFID readers, offering a range of models designed to boost productivity and streamline record-keeping. The APR650, the premium model in this lineup, scans electronic ID tags and barcodes, allowing livestock producers to link each animal’s data to specific records – from breeding and health histories to production potentials – and make it accessible remotely.
“Scanning barcodes provides a seamless flow of information about a specific animal, offering livestock producers private, accurate, and reliable data instantly,” said Brandt Kreuscher, Merck Animal Health’s business development manager. This capability enables producers to create barcodes for a variety of information: genetic records, health protocols, location-specific tasks, and more, which can be scanned directly into the reader’s system, making data accessible on the go or in the office.
The APR650 stores up to one million records and features a user-friendly keypad, while the compact APR250 offers similar capabilities for smaller-scale operations, with storage for up to 100,000 ID numbers. Both models are equipped with ergonomic designs, rugged casings, and visual and sensory read confirmations. Additionally, the Allflex CONNECT smartphone app streamlines data transfer from the APR devices directly to the producer’s office, enhancing remote connectivity and simplifying information management.
A New Era of Integrated Livestock Management
With these innovative tools, Merck Animal Health provides livestock producers with unprecedented control over animal welfare and operational efficiency. The SenseHub® Dairy Youngstock monitoring system and ALLFLEX APR readers bring real-time health insights and detailed data tracking to livestock management, making it easier for producers to care for their herds and improve productivity. As these technologies continue to be adopted, Merck is helping pave the way for a future where smart, efficient, and connected livestock management is the industry standard.
