Activity monitoring has followed somewhat the same path as the digital television. More companies have entered the marketplace as technology has evolved, which has increased the competition for technology development but also significantly reduced the price. Datamars entered the activity monitoring marketplace last year with the launch of the Tru-Test Active Tag system.

Whether your parlor is five or 25 years old, there is always room to improve. Data can help unlock parlor potential and take performance from good to great. The key is understanding the data and reviewing it routinely.

The use of activity monitoring systems has grown quickly in the past decade as more producers realize the benefits of utilizing the technology. According to an industry marketing study, just over 26% of dairies in the U.S. now utilize activity monitoring technology.

With a sea of technology options available, there have never been more tools to improve the way your dairy operates. But sometimes deciding which technologies to invest in and implement on your dairy can seem overwhelming.

My own struggles with internet began during the pandemic. We live in a rural area in Idaho. Our county is the No. 20 dairy county in the U.S. and cows outnumber people 6 to 1 where I live.