About
Nedap SmartSight is an advanced AI-driven lameness detection solution designed specifically for dairy farming operations. Lameness is one of the most underestimated and costly health challenges in dairy herds — while farmers typically perceive only 5–10% of their cows as lame, the reality is that 20–25% are actually affected. It ranks among the top 3 reasons for involuntary culling globally and impacts nearly every vital function of the cow, including walking, eating, lying behavior, fertility, and milk production. SmartSight addresses this challenge head-on by using computer vision and machine learning to automatically assess each cow's locomotion score at every milking visit. The system captures movement data multiple times daily, enabling farmers to catch lameness cases at the earliest stages — well before clinical signs are visible — and act quickly with targeted treatment. Key outcomes include shortening lameness cases by an average of 40 days, delivering an estimated saving of $45 per cow per year, preserving milk yield (cows can lose 10–30% output when lame), and reducing labor and treatment costs. The system integrates directly with Nedap's broader cow monitoring platform (CowControl, FarmControl, MilkingControl), making it a natural extension for farms already using Nedap infrastructure. SmartSight is well-suited for medium-to-large dairy operations seeking to improve herd health outcomes, reduce veterinary costs, and enhance animal welfare scores — all through automated, data-driven monitoring rather than relying solely on manual observation.
Key Features
- Automated Locomotion Scoring: Uses AI-powered vision to assess each cow's gait and assign reliable lameness scores at every milking, eliminating the need for manual observation.
- Early Lameness Detection: Identifies lameness before it becomes clinically visible, enabling early intervention that shortens lameness cases by an average of 40 days.
- Continuous Multi-Daily Monitoring: Monitors each cow's locomotion multiple times per day, providing a consistent and objective data stream rather than periodic manual checks.
- Treatment & Recovery Guidance: Delivers actionable lameness scores and trend data to guide veterinarians and farmers in prioritizing treatment and tracking recovery progress.
- Nedap Platform Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Nedap's broader livestock management ecosystem (CowControl, FarmControl, MilkingControl) for unified herd management.
Use Cases
- Dairy farm managers using SmartSight to automatically monitor an entire herd's locomotion scores daily and prioritize which cows need veterinary attention.
- Large-scale dairy operations reducing involuntary culling rates by catching lameness at subclinical stages before it impacts fertility, milk production, or requires emergency intervention.
- Veterinarians and herd health advisors using objective lameness score data from SmartSight to design and evaluate targeted treatment and recovery protocols.
- Farm owners tracking herd welfare KPIs and lameness trends over time to benchmark improvements and meet animal welfare certification requirements.
- Automated milking system (AMS) farms integrating SmartSight with their existing Nedap platform to gain a comprehensive, unified view of each cow's health and performance.
Pros
- Proven Cost Savings: Early detection shortens lameness duration by ~40 days on average, translating to an estimated $45 saving per cow per year through preserved milk yield and reduced treatment costs.
- Objective & Consistent Scoring: AI-driven assessment removes human subjectivity and fatigue from lameness scoring, delivering consistent results across all cows and all milking sessions.
- Easy Farm Integration: Designed to fit almost any farm setup and backed by years of on-farm validation, making adoption straightforward for existing dairy operations.
- Improved Animal Welfare: Earlier intervention reduces the severity and duration of lameness episodes, directly improving cow welfare scores and reducing involuntary culling.
Cons
- Hardware Investment Required: As a physical vision-based system, SmartSight requires upfront hardware installation, which may represent a significant capital cost for smaller farms.
- Best Suited for Milking-Based Routines: Monitoring is tied to milking visits, so herds with irregular or infrequent milking schedules may see reduced detection frequency compared to automated milking systems.
- Limited Public Pricing Transparency: Pricing is not publicly listed and requires contacting a distributor, making it harder for farmers to evaluate cost-benefit without engaging the sales process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nedap SmartSight detect lameness?
SmartSight uses AI-powered computer vision cameras positioned at milking points to analyze each cow's locomotion and gait at every milking. Machine learning models assess movement patterns and generate a lameness score, flagging cows that show early signs of lameness before they are visibly lame.
How much money can SmartSight save per cow?
On average, SmartSight shortens lameness cases by 40 days through earlier detection and intervention, resulting in an estimated saving of $45 per cow per year. Savings come from preserved milk production, reduced treatment costs, and lower labor requirements.
Is SmartSight compatible with my existing farm setup?
SmartSight is designed to integrate with almost any farm setup and works within Nedap's broader livestock management platform. It is compatible with farms using Nedap CowControl, FarmControl, and MilkingControl systems.
How prevalent is lameness in dairy herds?
Around 90% of dairy cows experience lameness at least once in their lifetime. Studies show that while farmers typically perceive 5–10% of their herd as lame at any time, the actual figure is closer to 20–25%. It is among the top 3 causes of involuntary culling worldwide.
How do I get SmartSight for my farm?
SmartSight is available through Nedap's global distributor network. You can find a distributor via the Nedap Livestock Management website or submit an inquiry form to be contacted by the team directly.
