As the agricultural industry continues to grow, farmers are always looking for new ways to improve their efficiency whilst keeping costs lower. Herd management is one of the most critical aspects of running a successful cattle farm, and with the rising costs of feed, veterinary expenses and general labour costs of a farm, making smart decisions are incredibly important.
2025 brings us all new technologies which should enable better farming techniques, and strategic planning- saving both money and time, whilst not compromising animal welfare or productivity.
Here are some suggestions on how you can improve and optimise herd management for a more cost-effective and efficient agricultural operation.
Invest in Smart Technology for Herd Management
Huge strides in technology over the last year have seen a welcome interest in AI-based tech which allows for a precise and early detection tool. Companies such as Genus ABS have created a groundbreaking tracking tool.
- Automated Health Monitoring – Wearable sensors and AI-driven cameras can detect early signs of illness, lameness, or changes in behaviour, allowing for faster intervention and reducing costly veterinary treatments.
- Electronic Identification (EID) Tags – These tags help track individual cattle, monitor feeding patterns, and streamline record-keeping, reducing paperwork and saving valuable time.
- Automated Weighing and Feeding Systems – Smart feeding systems ensure cattle receive the right amount of nutrition without wastage, cutting down on unnecessary feed costs.
Many of these methods are saving farmers from time-consuming manual tasks.
Improving Feed Efficiency and Reducing Waste
Feed is one the biggest costs in livestock farming, so optimising feeding strategies is crucial and trending right now. Here are some of the methods we’ve discovered:
- Analyse Feed Quality- Regular testing of feed ensures cattle are getting the necessary nutrition without the risk of overfeeding. Poor-quality feed can lead to slower growth and wasted resources. Paying that little bit more for food may set you at a positive long-term.
- Precision Feeding– Who can honestly admit that they ration food correctly amongst the whole herd? This is time-consuming, however, with correct rationing amongst the herd, it ensures every animal receives the correct feed without any excess costs. To save time there are precision feeders on the market, which produce the exact amount of food for each cow.
- Reduce Waste: Storing food correctly in dry, pest-free environments can prevent less spoilage. Silage covers and sealed bins can help extend shelf lives.
- Consider Alternative Feeds: Considered taking on by-products of the food industry for your herd? Brews grains, vegetable waste and other sources can be a great cost-effective method instead of a diet of traditional feed.
Optimising feeding strategies is a hot topic right now, and these points and suggestions are ones we’ve found trickling into farms across the country.
Reducing Labour Costs with Efficient Handling and Flooring
Reducing time spent manually handling your cattle cuts labour costs and minimises the stress on both animals and workers.
- Invest in well-designed and customised handling facilities for your farm’s needs– Non-slip flooring is a fantastic way to minimise injuries and handling time due to a safer and simpler environment for your cattle.
- Using Mobile Handling Equipment– the last few years have seen a rise in farms using grazing systems, mobile crushes and weighing units. If this is something you have or considering, it significantly reduces time and effort. Freeing you to attend to different tasks.
- Install High-Quality Concrete Flooring– Investing in durable, well-textured concrete flooring is a long-term money saver. Proper flooring can:
- Reduces Injury Rates– Non-slip flooring prevents the risk of slips and falls, therefor reducing veterinary bills
- Improves Hygiene- Well-laid concrete with efficient drainage makes waste management much easier, whilst also cutting down on cleaning time and reducing the risk of disease.
- Lower Maintenance Costs– Compared to dirt or poorly maintained surfaces which take a lot of upkeep, high-quality concrete flooring lasts longer, requires very little attention and fewer repairs, therefore reducing ongoing maintenance expenses.
With better flooring and handling processes in place, you will save time and money whilst also improving the overall health and welfare of your herd.
Prioritise Preventative Health Care
Vet bills are a major expense, but preventative health measures can significantly reduce long-term costs:
- Vaccination maintenance and disease prevention: Keeping your herd updated with their vaccination schedule can significantly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. A disease outbreak can be costly to treat and sometimes fatal, so simple maintenance allows for control of your assets.
- Regular Hoof Care: Lameness is one of the biggest health issues in cattle, leading to a loss of productivity and increased treatment costs. Routine hoof trimming and proper flooring can prevent problems before they even start. Contact us to assist with your herd hoof care.
- Parasite Control: Effective worming and fly control strategies prevent illness and maintain growth rates, ensuring that your cattle stay in top condition.
Upfront costs will be required for all of these preventative cares, but significant amounts of money will be saved in veterinary bills and loss of productivity over time.
Herd management in 2025 is all about working smarter, not harder. There are some fantastic technologies out there to enable you as a business to operate at an all-time high, both financially and in animal health and welfare. Taking advantage of these methods will save you much time, that we all know you need to attend to other areas of importance.
Investing in high-quality concrete flooring is one of the smartest long-term decisions you will make as a farm. Not only does it reduce the risk of injury, and improve hygiene, but it also saves your staff time cleaning and maintaining previously unstable grounds. Ultimately this will lower operational costs significantly.
Would you like to speak to one of our team to discuss which concrete flooring would be most suitable for your business? Get in touch today to discuss solutions tailored to your needs. To speak with us immediately, contact us on: 07713 592795 | [email protected]
We look forward to helping you manage your cattle and lower your operational costs.