Measure Individual Animal Feed Intake
SmartFeed Pro uses RFID-enabled feed stations to automatically monitor and regulate individual animal feed intake, capturing detailed daily consumption data. This intake data provides the foundation for calculating feed efficiency metrics, making it easy to identify which animals are converting feed most effectively across the herd. An integrated exclusion head gate enables control over individual feed allocation, supporting consistent and repeatable feeding management protocols.
Identify Top Performers
Track individual feed intake and performance, allowing you to pinpoint top performers and make smarter genetic selection decisions that improve feed efficiency, productivity, and overall herd profitability.
Daily DMI Tracking
Gain complete visibility into daily dry matter intake. SmartFeed records individual feed consumption, helping producers fine-tune rations, monitor performance, and uncover valuable insights into individual animal feed efficiency.
Individual Animal Feed Intake
Track feed intake for every animal in your herd. SmartFeed reveals when and how much each animal consumes, giving producers valuable insights into feeding behavior and individual performance.
Simple Feed Delivery
Feeding made simple. Load your desired ration into the SmartFeed bin, and the system automatically tracks feed delivery and individual animal consumption using integrated load cell technology.
Exclusion Head Gate
The exclusion head gate is an automated system that gently redirects animals away from the feed source once their individual target intake level has been reached, ensuring precise consumption control across every animal in the herd.
The Problem
Feed represents 70–75% of total cattle production costs, yet improving feed efficiency requires accurately measuring what each individual animal consumes. Traditional feeding systems only capture herd-level intake, making it difficult to detect variation between animals.
SmartFeed Pro allows precise control of individual consumption — a critical aspect when conducting nutrition trials, diet comparisons, or ration testing. Without the ability to monitor and manage intake at the individual level, valuable data goes uncaptured and feeding programs lack the precision needed to drive meaningful results.
The Solution
SmartFeed Pro delivers automated, individual-level feed intake monitoring for group-fed cattle, giving researchers and producers the data and control they need to make informed feeding decisions. Using RFID identification and high-precision load cells, the system records every feeder visit and logs exact consumption amounts, automatically compiling daily intake records for each animal.
The integrated exclusion head gate adds another layer of precision by redirecting animals away from the feed source once their target intake level is reached, allowing users to enforce individualized feed allocations across the entire herd. Whether evaluating feed efficiency, testing new rations, or running controlled nutrition trials, SmartFeed Pro makes it possible to manage and measure individual intake under real-world feeding conditions.
How SmartFeed Pro Works
- User loads feed into SmartFeed Pro bunk
- Animal approaches and RFID tag is identified
- The animal begins eating and data recording starts
- Animal stops eating, data recording is stopped
- Feeding data is transmitted to C-Lock
- Data is reviewed and processed by C-Lock Data Team
- Intake data is delivered to C-Lock customer
Data Delivered
SmartFeed Pro records every feeding interaction and converts these measurements into structured datasets delivered to users. Final data gives simple, clear insights into the following individual animal statistics
- Daily feed intake per animal
- Feeder visit frequency
- Feeding duration
- Intake amount
- Feeding behavior patterns
- Summarized intake statistics
From on-farm production decisions to controlled research trials, this data powers feed efficiency analysis, nutritional studies, ration exploration, and genetic evaluation. SmartFeed Pro gives both producers and researchers the individual intake records they need. Whether you're optimizing a finishing program, validating a new additive, or building an efficiency EPD.
Applications
Feed Efficiency Research
Measure individual intake required to calculate feed efficiency traits such as residual feed intake.
Supplement Intake Monitoring
Track supplement consumption in grazing cattle and evaluate supplementation strategies.
Genetic Evaluation
Identify animals that convert feed more efficiently to support breeding programs.
Precision Nutrition Studies
Evaluate diet formulation, feeding behavior, and intake variation between animals.
Increase Profitability with SmartFeed Pro
Economic Value
Feed efficiency is the most important driver of profitability in cattle production. Research shows that efficient animals can consume up to 20% less feed while delivering the same gain performance, a difference that adds up fast when feed costs are your largest expense.
Identifying your most efficient animals gives you the power to make smarter culling, selection, and management decisions that pay off season after season. SmartFeed Pro provides the individual intake data you need to find those differences across your herd.
Wondering what that could mean for your bottom line? Use our SmartFeed Pro Savings Calculator to plug in your own numbers and see the potential savings for your operation. The data pays for itself.
Savings Calculator
Input the figures that best represent your operation size and costs to calculate your potential feed efficiency savings with SmartFeed Pro
Features
Plug & Play Design
SmartFeed Pro is portable and wirelessly networked, with an exceptionally easy setup—just plug in the power source and it’s ready to use.
Exclusion Head Gate
Automatic head gate system that moves the animals’ heads from the feed source when desired intake level is reached.
Minimal Infrastructure Changes
SmartFeed Pro bunks can be used almost anywhere cattle are fed and install easily into existing fence lines with no extra computers, wiring, or facilities required.
Kick Plate
A protective kick plate shields SmartFeed Pro load cells and weight systems from mud, manure, and debris in cattle pens to maintain accurate operation.
Data Management / Connectivity
All raw and processed data is accessible in a secure archive with a simple online interface. Data is transmitted wirelessly with Wi-Fi or cellular network.
Cutting-Edge RFID Reader
SmartFeed Pro operates reliably in noisy RFID environments and can be configured with left, right, or dual ear tag scanners.
Product Options
Solar Power
For remote applications, a solar power kit can be added to each unit. The kit includes one solar panel, frame, batteries, and a battery control box.
Stainless Steel Bin
Optional stainless steel feeder bin replaces poly bin and offers increased durability and includes a door for removal of excess feed and easy cleaning.
Ear Tags
All of our units read HDX - Half Duplex and FDX - Full Duplex tags. If your animals are not tagged appropriately, you may purchase tags at any time from C-Lock Inc.
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