Herd-i is investing in the future of New Zealand dairy through a new all-region sponsorship of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
The Kiwi agri-tech company will present the Dairy Manager of the Year – Health & Safety Merit Award across all 11 regions as part of the awards programme helping to celebrate innovation, achievement and the best of dairying in New Zealand.
The sponsorship comes as Herd-i enters its next phase of growth following a successful 18 months.
Sales of Herd-i have increased by 200 percent in that time, while the number of cows monitored daily by its technology has more than doubled from 70,000 to 145,000 in the past year. Herd-i is now used on approximately 130 New Zealand farms and has generated more than 60 million lameness scores.
Herd-i Chair Peter Mitchell says the sponsorship builds on years of working alongside New Zealand farmers and improving the technology in response to their needs.
“Kiwi farmers have played a huge part in shaping Herd-i. We’ve developed and proven the technology in real farming conditions, listened to their feedback and used that to guide improvements,” Peter says.
“We believe you have to earn the right to stand alongside and celebrate those farmers. Now that the technology is delivering meaningful results on farm, it feels like the right time to give something back.
“The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards recognise people who are working hard to grow their skills, strengthen their businesses and drive best practice across the industry.
“That focus is closely aligned with Herd-i’s mission to improve dairy herd health and productivity, making the sponsorship a natural fit for us.”
The Health & Safety Merit Award recognises dairy managers who demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to creating safe, productive and sustainable workplaces.
Peter says it aligns closely with Herd-i’s values because looking after people and animals goes hand in hand with running a successful dairy business.
“Herd-i’s mission is to improve dairy herd health and productivity. We’re proud to support an award that recognises managers who bring that same level of care and commitment to looking after their people.”
Commercialised in 2021, Herd-i helps farmers improve herd health and productivity by monitoring every cow, every day. Cameras capture cows as they exit the dairy shed, with artificial intelligence technology identifying early lameness and providing an automated Body Condition Score.
Herd-i’s models are trained using assessments from Healthy Hoof Certified Vets for lameness and Gold Standard BCS Assessors for body condition.
“Technology doesn’t replace good stockmanship. Herd-i gives farmers another set of eyes on their herd and helps them identify issues earlier,” Peter says.
“Through early detection, a cow can be assessed and treated sooner, before a minor issue becomes more serious. It’s better for the cow and can help return her to full health and productivity faster.”
Supporting Herd-i’s expansion is a 25-strong New Zealand-based team. Chief Technology Officer William Elliot leads specialists across machine learning and AI engineering, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, IoT and on-farm installation. The business is also building its sales and marketing capability across the country, with the team focused on helping farmers get more value from Herd-i’s technology.
Herd-i has also recently launched in the United States and has been training its machine learning models using footage from American herds. The company has appointed a US chief executive, Nicole Mozeliak, and a senior vice president of sales to grow the business and support farmers in the market.
Herd-i is recruiting a new chief executive for its New Zealand operation following former CEO Liz Muller’s departure after two years in the role. Peter is managing the transition and acknowledges Liz’s contribution, particularly her work to strengthen Herd-i’s technology team and build relationships across the dairy industry.
Herd-i plans to grow its presence in New Zealand as it builds its US business. It will continue to invest in its technology and support for farmers here, while extending that support through its NZDIA sponsorship.
“We see plenty of opportunity to grow in New Zealand as well as the US,” Peter says. “Our focus is on steady, sustainable growth that helps us keep improving the technology and looking after the farmers who use it.
“That means better tools on farm, healthier and more productive cows, and ultimately a stronger dairy industry.”