We have smartwatches to track our health and activity, but what about our cows? A new innovation called "CowBit" is bringing that same technology to the farm, promising to revolutionize cattle management and improve the lives of dairy cows in Odisha and beyond. This is not for tracking steps but monitoring everything from a cow's heart rate to its reproductive cycle, all with a simple device worn around the neck.
From Concept to Cow
The CowBit smart watch is the brainchild of a company inspired by Prime Minister Modi's vision of a National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM). This is a great example. The aim is to use technology to make farming more efficient and profitable, while also improving animal welfare. The device uses the Internet of Things (IoT) – basically, connecting everyday objects to the internet – to collect and transmit vital data about each cow. The watch is presently undergoing, testing and trial run, in association with OUAT and state government.
What Can This Smartwatch Do?
Imagine being able to monitor when a cow is in heat, ready for breeding, without having to constantly observe her. Or getting an alert on your phone if a cow's temperature spikes, signaling a potential illness. That's the power of CowBit.
Here's a breakdown of what it can do:
Health Monitoring: Tracks heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels, providing early warnings of potential health problems.
Reproductive Cycle Tracking: Precisely identifies the optimal time for breeding, improving conception rates and reducing wasted efforts.
Location Tracking: Uses GPS to pinpoint the exact location of each cow, preventing loss and theft.
Disease Detection: Detects early signs of diseases, including mastitis (udder infection), allowing for prompt treatment.
Benefits for Farmers, Benefits for Cows
This technology isn't just about fancy gadgets; it has real-world benefits. For farmers, it means:
Increased Productivity: More efficient breeding and earlier disease detection lead to higher milk yields and healthier cows.
Reduced Costs: Early intervention prevents costly treatments and losses due to illness or missed breeding cycles.
Better Management: Access to real-time data allows for informed decision-making and improved herd management.
Easy access: The farmer sitting anywhere can have the details, on the app, which will be linked to the smart watch.
For the cows
Better Health: Early disease detection and prompt treatment improve overall well-being.
Reduced Stress: Less handling and more efficient management practices contribute to a calmer environment.
The Future of Dairy Farming
Professor Sushen Kumar Panda of OUAT's College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry highlighted that this technology can significantly reduce production costs and provide accurate data that humans simply can't collect on their own. The testing of the device is done.
The CowBit team is even exploring a partnership with ISRO to use their GPS system for even more accurate location tracking. The cost of production is estimated to between Rs 2500 to Rs 4000, which can be reduced; if there will be government subsidy. CowBit's co-founder, Anand Mishra, believes this technology can prevent significant financial losses for Indian dairy farmers, potentially saving up to ₹5500 million annually.
