Sorting gates are gaining traction on dairies and continue to grow in popularity. Sorting gate success and return on investment depends on a well-designed system that matches the specific needs of the operation.

Sort gates require proper installation, regular maintenance and care to perform optimally and meet expected sort percentages. Even small adjustments – like fine-tuning the antenna read range or resolving data integration issues – can significantly improve performance and cow management.

Technology continues to push the envelope when it comes to reproductive efficiency. Automated monitoring systems and sort gates have proven to be productive investments for dairy farms across the country.

A new back-of-the-barn innovation sorts cows more quietly and reliably in all dairy environments. The Sort my Cow Sort Gate from CowManager runs on electromagnets and springs instead of compressors and pneumatics, making less noise during operation and working consistently, even during extreme weather.

Sort gates provide one more opportunity to move from a group management philosophy to an individual management perspective. Instead of managing by exception, you are now managing the individual cow or individual challenge.

Cattle may have been domesticated for centuries now, but they remain prey animals and work to keep their secrets. Those masking skills were beneficial thousands of years ago, but they can create herd management challenges today.

Reproduction management plays a critical role in any dairy. The ability to monitor, detect and act quickly when heat is detected significantly impacts herd performance.