CowScout S. Activity monitoring system. GEA Farm Technologies. Frequently Asked Questions. GEA Milking & Cooling WestfaliaSurge

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1 GEA Farm Technologies CowScout S Activity monitoring system Frequently Asked Questions Introducing the new generation of heat detection from GEA Farm Technologies; CowScout S delivers technology of the future to benefit you today. Heat detection and animal monitoring are easier and more accurate than ever before with CowScout. These frequently asked questions will help guide you through your decision making process and explain how CowScout can be easily installed on virtually any dairy operation, regardless of size, type of housing or brand of milking equipment. GEA Milking & Cooling WestfaliaSurge

2 CowScout S Activity monitoring system Frequently Asked Questions 1. How does CowScout work? Individual cow activity data is collected and stored in the CowScout leg or neck* tag. This information is continuously transmitted via wireless signals to a long-range antenna, which in turn feeds the data to the nearby receiver. This assures you always have the most up-to-date information. The receiver transmits the activity data to the CowScout herd database for processing. If the activity level is significantly more or less than normal activity readings for a particular cow, the CowScout database sends an alert message to your computer, your mobile device or both depending on your pre-set preferences. 2. What makes CowScout different from any other activity system on the market? CowScout does not rely on infrared technology that can be blocked by dirt, manure or internal building components. It uses leg or neck* bands for accurate activity readings. The read range of the CowScout antenna provides one of the greatest read ranges in the industry. It is backed by GEA Farm Technologies dealerships, offering industryleading equipment expertise and customer service to support your purchase. In addition, GEA Farm Technologies has more experience than any other activity monitor provider with more than one million activity tags already in service. 3. How far will the tags transmit? (neck collars and leg bands) For either neck collars or leg bands, ultra high frequency (UHF) technology provides a read range up to 300+ feet or the approximate length of a football field. Signals are sent to the receiver using a long range antenna. This is one of the greatest read ranges of any system in the industry. 4. How does the ultra high frequency (UHF) technology compare to infrared technology? By using UHF technology, wireless signals are not obstructed by dirt, manure or internal building components in a typical freestall barn, which can be common with other systems using infrared devices. 5. Do I have to worry about the tags interfering with anything on my farm or will anything on my farm interfere with the transmission of data from the tags? No. CowScout uses ultra high frequency (UHF) wireless signals which operate above the level of two-way radios, cell phones, pagers, fans and other devices on farm. Therefore, CowScout should not be affected by any other frequencies on your dairy. In addition, CowScout will not interfere with any other cow ID system currently used on farm, such as RFID. 2 *Neck version coming soon.

3 6. What happens to the data if there is a power outage? With the CowScout tag, data will continue to be collected and stored within the tag for up to 24 hours. When the power resumes, complete data is transmitted to the CowScout herd database for processing. 7. Will the neck* collars be damaged or knocked off by cows putting their heads in and out of headlocks? The tag is positioned under the cow s neck and not on the side, greatly reducing the risk for damage, and preventing interference with headlocks. 8. How many CowScout tags will I need? The number of neck collars or leg bands needed per herd varies. Putting a tag on each animal reduces the labor required to move tags from cow to cow, and provides the benefit of year round high and low activity monitoring. For herds where the intent is to move tags after an animal is confirmed pregnant, a good rule of thumb is to factor that approximately 40-50% of the total herd will require a tag for proper activity monitoring. CowScout can manage up to 10,000 tags on a single controller so for most farms there is virtually no limit to how many tags you can have on a system. 9. What kind of battery does the CowScout activity tag use and will I have to replace the battery? The tag is a completely sealed unit and contains the same long-life battery that GEA Farm Technologies has been using for 20 years. There is no need to replace the battery. Plus, the tags are backed by a prorated 5-year warranty. 10. Can I use my current farm computer with CowScout? Yes. CowScout is accessible through any farm computer. It is also available for mobile devices and smartphones, but it is not necessary to upgrade to this technology to access or use the data. 11. Will CowScout interfere with my current herd management software? CowScout is a standalone system and does not interfere or require any integration with your existing herd management software program. 12. I am not very computer savvy, is CowScout software easy-to-use? Yes. CowScout is very easy and intuitive to use. The software is preloaded in the processing unit and data is presented in an easy-to-use format. CowScout analyzes and displays an animal s activity in 2-hour periods. Individual cow activity in one period is compared to the activity in the same period over the preceding days to develop a baseline. An attention notification is sent if the animal s present activity increases or drops significantly. 3 *Neck version coming soon.

4 13. Once CowScout is installed, how long does it take for individual cow data to be stored and alerts and attentions to be sent? It takes 10 days to establish an accurate baseline of individual cow activity in the database, and in turn determine high or low deviations from normal activity, which generate the alerts. However, the longer the tag is on the cow, the more valid the information becomes. 14. How will CowScout affect my current sync program? The impact CowScout will have on your current reproduction program will vary farm to farm. Dairy producers who use a sync program to breed the majority of their cows often see the greatest reduction in drug and labor costs with the CowScout system, as they detect a larger percentage of natural heats. However, CowScout will not totally eliminate the use of reproductive drugs on those farms that rely on a sync program. 15. How long does it take for the system to pay for itself? Payback time on the system is on a case by case basis. It is very easy to find payback as CowScout will reduce labor for heat detection, increase pregnancy rates, decrease days open and reduce the need for hormone therapies in many cows. 16. How can I access the data? Data is stored with cloud technology, making it accessible anytime, anywhere; you are not limited to the barn office. Plus, no special app or software is needed for your mobile device to access your data. You can also access data directly on your PC. 17. Do I have to be connected to the internet at all times? No. If internet is not available in your area, you can connect directly to your PC to check data. 18. Can you access high and low activity lists from a smartphone? Yes. CowScout includes a unique web portal just for smartphones with different notification features. 19. How accurate is the system? CowScout is 99+ percent accurate in its activity readings and uses the latest version of accelerometer technology, for the most accurate data. 20. Can I use the system if I don t have a GEA Farm Technologies parlor? Yes. The CowScout system works on any operation regardless of parlor type or brand of equipment. 4

5 21. Do the cows have to pass through a data portal for the information to be received? No. CowScout does not require a trip to the parlor or a walkthrough portal or panel reader, so there are no cow flow restrictions. Data can be measured continuously assuring you always have the latest information and you receive immediate alarms. 22. Is there a limit on the number of cows I can have in a system? CowScout can manage up to 10,000 tags on a single controller. So, for most farms, there is no limit to the number of cows that can be on a system. 23. Is there an ideal herd size? CowScout is adaptable for any size herd. 24. What is the tag read rate? The tag read rate is 99+ percent accurate in its activity readings. 25. Will CowScout detect cows with only high activity? No. CowScout will detect high and low activity cows. This is very beneficial, as reduced activity is often the first sign of health problems or lameness. 26. Can I use the data to detect sick cows? Yes. An attention notification is sent if the animal s present activity has dropped significantly over several consecutive 2-hour periods. Monitoring periods of low activity can identify animals at risk for disease or help to proactively monitor herd health. Often reduced activity is identified before visual signs of illness appear. 27. Will this system only work with a freestall set-up? No. CowScout is easily adaptable to both cow and heifer facilities regardless of whether you use freestall or pasture-based housing. 28. Does CowScout only work on milking cows? No. Activity monitoring is an ideal choice for heifer raisers as well as beef cattle operations. 29. Can the reports show up in any other language besides English? Data is available in multiple languages. 5