View the Moocall sensor  Calving season is a high-stakes time on any cattle farm. Missing a calving event can mean lost calves, stressed cows, and extra labour at all hours. That’s why more farmers are turning to technology like the Moocall Calving Sensor – a non-invasive, tail-mounted device that takes the guesswork out of calving alerts.

What is the Moocall Calving Sensor?

The Moocall Calving Sensor is an innovative tool designed to monitor the tail movement of cows in the run-up to calving. It’s a lightweight, rechargeable unit that attaches securely to the cow’s tail. As cows approach labour, their tail activity increases—a well-known sign among experienced stockmen. The Moocall sensor continuously tracks this movement and, when it detects patterns consistent with the onset of labour, it sends instant alerts by SMS, app notification, or email.

No Wi-Fi or base station is needed: The sensor uses a built-in GSM SIM card (Vodafone network in Ireland and the UK), making it ideal for rural areas where connectivity can be patchy. Each sensor can monitor up to 40-50 cows per year, and it’s backed by a 12-month warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How Does It Actually Work?

  • Tail Movement Monitoring: The sensor’s algorithm detects the characteristic increase in tail activity that typically occurs 1-2 hours before calving.
  • Real-Time Alerts: When the threshold is met, alerts go out to your phone and email, so you can act quickly – day or night.
  • Simple to Use: Fitting the sensor takes less than a minute. The device is designed to sit opposite the vulva and should twist side-to-side but not move up or down for best accuracy.

 

Why Is Timely Calving Detection So Important?

According to Teagasc, “Prompt intervention during calving can reduce calf mortality and improve cow recovery rates.”¹ Missing a calving event can lead to dystocia (difficult birth), which not only endangers calves but also increases the risk of post-calving health problems for cows.

Some key calving facts from Teagasc and industry research:

  • 80% of calving problems occur in the final stage of labour.²
  • Calf survival is highest when intervention happens within 2 hours of the onset of stage II labour.¹
  • Over 90% of calf deaths at birth are preventable with timely assistance.³

Benefits of the Moocall Calving Sensor

  • Labour Savings: No more all-night barn checks or guesswork. Moocall lets you focus your attention where and when it’s needed.
  • Higher Calf Survival: Early alerts mean you’re less likely to miss a calving that needs help, directly impacting your bottom line.
  • Peace of Mind: Farmers consistently report reduced stress and better work-life balance during calving season.
  • Scalability: Ideal for both full-time and part-time farmers—especially those managing herds of 40–60 cows, where every calf counts.
  • Data Insights: The free Moocall Breed Manager app helps you track calving history and herd health, adding another layer of value.

Backed by Research and Farmer Experience

While some scientific studies have pointed out that no calving sensor is perfect, recent real-world data shows that Moocall’s latest technology achieves up to 95% accuracy in detecting imminent calving (Giaretta et al., 2021).⁴ Farmers often prefer a few false alarms over missing a critical calving event—especially when one saved calf pays for the sensor several times over.

Best Practices for Calving Success

Teagasc recommends:

  • Clean, dry bedding and fresh water for all calving pens.
  • Colostrum feeding within 2 hours of birth.
  • Accurate record keeping of calving dates and outcomes.
  • Intervening if no progress is seen within 2–4 hours for heifers, 1–2 hours for cows.¹

The Moocall Calving Sensor is designed to support these best practices by ensuring you’re always notified when it matters most.

Sources:

  1. Teagasc, “Calving Management Guidelines,” teagasc.ie.
  2. Teagasc, “Calving Best Practice.”
  3. Irish Farmers Journal, “Reducing Calf Mortality at Calving.”
  4. Giaretta, E. et al., “Accuracy of a tail-mounted sensor for calving prediction in dairy cows,” J. Dairy Sci., 2021.

Ready to make calving season less stressful and more profitable?

Find out more about the Moocall Calving Sensor on our website or call us for a no-obligation chat about how it could fit your herd.