GEA bolsters dairy industry with acquisition of agri-software company CattleEye

Food processing and packaging technology manufacturer, GEA, has acquired CattleEye, a Northern Ireland-based agricultural software company known for its artificial intelligence (AI) system.

The acquisition underscores GEA’s dedication to advancing next-generation farming strategies, particularly in the dairy sector. While financial details remain undisclosed, the integration of CattleEye’s AI solution into GEA’s portfolio marks a milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance herd management practices.

CattleEye’s flagship product is an AI-driven system engineered to swiftly detect and forecast lameness in dairy cows, offering vital insights into the animals’ body condition scores. Lameness, alongside mastitis, poses a threat to dairy cow welfare and productivity, impacting fertility and milk yield. By leveraging CattleEye’s technology, farmers gain actionable intelligence to address issues affecting herd health and performance.

The CattleEye system uses a sophisticated combination of a 2D camera and specialised software to analyse cow movement and body score patterns. This integration provides farmers with unparalleled visibility into their herd’s well-being, enabling timely interventions irrespective of the milking system employed.