Services
Cow Coach is an independent consultancy firm that makes technology & automation profitable for dairy farmers, suppliers and veterinarians.
Start-up support for robotic milking
Are you switching to robotic milking soon? f so, you may be facing some important choices that will determine the future direction of your farm. Cow Coach can help you prepare in terms of barn design, cow traffic, work organisation, animal health and robot performance. We formulate clear objectives and monitor the most important key performance indicators until the milking robots are up and running smoothly.
Benefits
You receive independent advice so you can make informed decisions
Problems and pitfalls are recognized and tackled ahead of time
Changes in management (e.G. nutrition, labour, …) are discussed in advance
Practical
You can choose from a limited, standard, or extended start-up package, ranging from 1 to multiple farm visits. Tailor-made solutions can be discussed.
For whom
Dairy farmers thinking of switching to automatic milking (new robot barns or retrofits)
Price
The price depends on the farm size (current number of cows/future number of milking robots) and the type of support package (limited/standard/extended)
Farm audit
Are things not going as planned? Is the number of milkings going down? Cow Coach can help you get back on track with a farm audit in which we take a closer look at the milking process, robot settings, animal health, general management and housing. We do a targeted problem analysis in consultation with trusted partners on the farm (feed advisor, veterinarian, ...). A dynamic milking test can be carried out to examine the performance of the milking machine.
Benefits
An independent, external perspective of your problem
Open dialogue with all involved parties
Problem-solving and analytical approach
Practical
A single farm visit, preferably with all involved parties (e.g. nutritionist, veterinarian, ….). A few days or weeks later, we discuss the results of the intervention in a virtual meeting (Whatsapp, Teams, …)
For whom
Dairy farms (with automatic or conventional milking systems) that encounter problems in terms of milk production, milk quality, udder health, …
Price
We charge a fixed price per farm visit (no hourly rate). Reduced rates can be applied for business wishing to enter a long-term partnership with Cow Coach.
Monitoring udder health
Mastitis is a costly problem: it leads to involuntary culling, increased use of antibiotics, milk losses and a lot of frustration. Prevention is better than cure. That is why Cow Coach routinely monitors udders health through available farm data: bulk milk somatic cell counts, dairy herd improvement records, robotic milking data, … In addition, we also offer milk culturing to obtain rapid bacteriological results for selective treatment of cows.
Benefits
Systematic prevention and control of udder problems
Selective treatment of mastitis cows and dry cows
Lower somatic cell count and fewer mastitis cases benefits the farmer & the cows!
Practical
The udder health is discussed on-site every 4 to 6 weeks. This can be preceded by a general farm audit in which we review the milking process, housing, nutrition, general cow health and possible sources of infection. A dynamic milking test can be carried out to examine the performance of the milking machine.
For whom
Dairy farmers striving for a lower somatic cell count, fewer mastitis cases, and fewer treatments
Price
We charge a fixed price per cow per visit for routine monitoring.
Work organisation coaching
Do you want to improve the efficiency of your farm, reduce the workload and strengthen your cooperation with staff and family members? In this coaching process, we analyse the farm’s current work organisation and protocols, and we create an action plan with all involved partners based on proven lean management techniques. To maximize the results, we will coach you and your employees for a period of 6-8 weeks.
Benefits
Prevent all kinds of waste (energy, time and costs)
Develop clear protocols and key performance indicators
Create a culture change among employees
Practical
You can request a free (virtual) introduction meeting (30 minutes) to discuss your specific needs and requirements in detail. Afterwards, you decide whether you want to start the coaching process, which lasts 6-8 weeks and included 3-4 farm visits.
For whom
Agricultural businesses looking to optimize their work processes, for example:
Growing farms dealing with external employees, high workload, …
Farms with diversification activities (e.g. agro-tourism, artisanal dairy products, …)
Family farms with multiple generations working together
Price
The introduction meeting is free of charge. A fixed price is applied for the coaching process price (no hourly rates).
Project & innovation management
We help agri-food companies develop their technology-driven innovation projects, from idea to marketing testing. Thanks to our experience in setting up and managing (inter)national projects, we have a wide network to bring your concept to life. Cow Coach can help in the search for appropriate grants and partners, writing out project ideas, managing projects, setting up field studies and conducting market research.
Benefits
We offer extensive expertise in (inter)national project management
You gain access to a broad network and specific sector knowledge
Outsourcing tasks gives you more time to focus on the actual subject matter
Practical
Project and innovation support is a custom-made process. That is why we always start with a free online introductory meeting in which we go over your wishes and needs.
For whom
SME’s based in Flanders looking to translate their ideas into an agricultural product
International consortia looking for partnerships
Companies looking to outsource specialized (project-related) tasks
Example
Cow Coach handled the project management for W. Govaerts & co within the imec.icon project named “Bolucap”. A digital rumen bolus was developed in 2,5 years to monitor the health and welfare of dairy goats.
