A happy cow is a cow more likely to reproduce young and being able to spot the happy, healthy ones is the goal of Fermoy-based Reprodoc Ltd. Founder Dr Daniel Ryan won an Innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland which he used with researchers from Dublin City University to enhance the company’s ultrasound-based services.
The service provided by the company involves using ultrasound imaging to assess the condition of a cow’s reproductive system. Ryan explained that, if the animal is in a comfortable environment, images of the reproductive tract will indicate that she is happy. The tract will look different if the animal is in bad housing or improperly fed.
The grant allowed the company to link up with Dublin City University and its Centre for Image Processing and Analysis. This development of an imaging system means that a technician can conduct the scan and then the results can be transmitted back for automated analysis. “By being able to automate the technology we can provide services worldwide,” Ryan says.