Quick Overview
- 1#1: DairyComp 305 - Comprehensive on-farm dairy herd management software for tracking reproduction, health, milking, and genetics.
- 2#2: Afimilk - Advanced dairy management system integrating parlor automation, herd monitoring, and analytics for optimal productivity.
- 3#3: DeLaval DelPro - Integrated farm management software combining milking, feeding, cooling, and herd health data for dairy operations.
- 4#4: GEA DairyPlan - All-in-one dairy herd management solution with real-time data on milking, feeding, and performance optimization.
- 5#5: Fullwood JOS - Dairy herd control system providing automation, data management, and insights for efficient farm operations.
- 6#6: Lely Horizon - Cloud-based farm management platform for robotic milking systems, cow monitoring, and data-driven decisions.
- 7#7: Herdwatch - Mobile app for dairy farmers to record events, track compliance, and manage herd health on the go.
- 8#8: PCDART - Dairy records analysis software for processing test-day data, genetics, and herd reports.
- 9#9: Datamars HerdMaster - Cloud livestock management platform tailored for dairy with identification, tracing, and performance tracking.
- 10#10: Sum-It Dairy - Integrated dairy management software for recording milk production, fertility, and health events.
These tools were ranked based on key factors including feature coverage (e.g., integration of milking, reproduction, and genetics data), ease of use, technical reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver actionable insights to optimize farm performance.
Comparison Table
This comparison table assesses top dairy farm management software tools, such as DairyComp 305, Afimilk, DeLaval DelPro, GEA DairyPlan, and Fullwood JOS, highlighting key features and utilities. It equips readers to understand how each solution addresses critical farm management needs, from milk production tracking to herd health, aiding in informed selection for their operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DairyComp 305 Comprehensive on-farm dairy herd management software for tracking reproduction, health, milking, and genetics. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Afimilk Advanced dairy management system integrating parlor automation, herd monitoring, and analytics for optimal productivity. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | DeLaval DelPro Integrated farm management software combining milking, feeding, cooling, and herd health data for dairy operations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | GEA DairyPlan All-in-one dairy herd management solution with real-time data on milking, feeding, and performance optimization. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Fullwood JOS Dairy herd control system providing automation, data management, and insights for efficient farm operations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Lely Horizon Cloud-based farm management platform for robotic milking systems, cow monitoring, and data-driven decisions. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Herdwatch Mobile app for dairy farmers to record events, track compliance, and manage herd health on the go. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | PCDART Dairy records analysis software for processing test-day data, genetics, and herd reports. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Datamars HerdMaster Cloud livestock management platform tailored for dairy with identification, tracing, and performance tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Sum-It Dairy Integrated dairy management software for recording milk production, fertility, and health events. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Comprehensive on-farm dairy herd management software for tracking reproduction, health, milking, and genetics.
Advanced dairy management system integrating parlor automation, herd monitoring, and analytics for optimal productivity.
Integrated farm management software combining milking, feeding, cooling, and herd health data for dairy operations.
All-in-one dairy herd management solution with real-time data on milking, feeding, and performance optimization.
Dairy herd control system providing automation, data management, and insights for efficient farm operations.
Cloud-based farm management platform for robotic milking systems, cow monitoring, and data-driven decisions.
Mobile app for dairy farmers to record events, track compliance, and manage herd health on the go.
Dairy records analysis software for processing test-day data, genetics, and herd reports.
Cloud livestock management platform tailored for dairy with identification, tracing, and performance tracking.
Integrated dairy management software for recording milk production, fertility, and health events.
DairyComp 305
enterpriseComprehensive on-farm dairy herd management software for tracking reproduction, health, milking, and genetics.
Integrated Dairy Plan™ module for advanced reproductive forecasting and heat detection using proprietary algorithms
DairyComp 305, developed by Valley Ag Software, is a comprehensive dairy herd management software used by thousands of farms worldwide for over 35 years. It excels in tracking milk production, reproduction cycles, health events, genetics, and feed rations, with seamless integration to milking systems, DHIA testing, and A.I. services. The platform provides customizable reports, forecasting tools, and mobile access to empower data-driven decisions for optimizing herd performance and profitability.
Pros
- Unparalleled depth in dairy-specific modules like reproduction, genetics, and DHIA integration
- Proven reliability with decades of refinement and strong industry support
- Highly customizable reports and forecasting for precise farm analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and keyboard-driven interface
- Dated graphical user interface compared to modern web apps
- Pricing scales with herd size, potentially expensive for very small farms
Best For
Medium to large dairy operations seeking a robust, industry-standard solution for end-to-end herd management.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on herd size; typically $0.25-$0.75 per cow/month plus base software fees and optional training/support.
Afimilk
enterpriseAdvanced dairy management system integrating parlor automation, herd monitoring, and analytics for optimal productivity.
AfiTag wearable sensors for individual cow identification and continuous monitoring of health, activity, and rumination
Afimilk is a comprehensive dairy farm management solution that integrates advanced hardware such as milk meters, cow identification tags, and automated parlor systems with sophisticated software for herd monitoring and optimization. It delivers real-time data on milk yield, animal health, reproduction, feeding, and overall farm performance, enabling data-driven decisions to boost productivity and welfare. Widely used in large-scale operations worldwide, Afimilk stands out for its precision agriculture approach tailored specifically to dairy farming.
Pros
- Unmatched integration of hardware (e.g., AfiTags, milk meters) with software for precise, real-time data collection
- Advanced analytics for milk production, health alerts, and reproductive management
- Proven scalability for large herds with global support and reliability
Cons
- High upfront costs for hardware installation and customization
- Steep learning curve and dependency on professional setup
- Less ideal for small-scale or budget-conscious farms
Best For
Large commercial dairy farms with automated milking parlors seeking integrated hardware-software systems for maximum efficiency and data precision.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on herd size and hardware needs, typically $100-200 per cow upfront plus annual software subscriptions starting at $10-20 per cow.
DeLaval DelPro
enterpriseIntegrated farm management software combining milking, feeding, cooling, and herd health data for dairy operations.
Seamless integration with DeLaval VMS robotic milkers for automated, precise heat detection and health monitoring
DeLaval DelPro is a comprehensive herd management software tailored for dairy farms, integrating seamlessly with DeLaval's milking equipment to monitor milk production, animal health, and reproduction in real-time. It provides advanced analytics, automated alerts, and reporting tools to optimize farm efficiency and profitability. The system supports data-driven decisions through features like heat detection, feeding optimization, and performance benchmarking.
Pros
- Deep integration with DeLaval milking hardware for real-time data accuracy
- Robust analytics for herd health, reproduction, and milk yield optimization
- Automated alerts and mobile access for proactive farm management
Cons
- Limited compatibility with non-DeLaval equipment
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- High upfront and ongoing costs tied to hardware ecosystem
Best For
Large dairy operations with DeLaval milking systems seeking end-to-end automation and data integration.
Pricing
Custom pricing via quote, typically $5,000–$20,000+ initial setup plus annual subscriptions scaling with farm size and hardware.
GEA DairyPlan
enterpriseAll-in-one dairy herd management solution with real-time data on milking, feeding, and performance optimization.
DairyPlan's XCall system for instant, customizable alerts on critical events like health issues or low production
GEA DairyPlan is a robust herd management software solution from GEA Group, tailored for dairy farms to optimize milking, animal health, reproduction, and feeding operations. It integrates seamlessly with GEA's automated milking systems and sensors, providing real-time data collection, analytics, and decision-support tools. The platform enables centralized management of multiple farms via DairyNet, helping producers boost productivity and efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless integration with GEA milking hardware and robots
- Real-time monitoring and predictive alerts for cow health and production
- Advanced analytics and reporting for data-driven farm decisions
Cons
- High initial cost and dependency on GEA equipment
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Limited flexibility for non-GEA hardware setups
Best For
Large dairy farms with GEA milking systems seeking integrated automation and comprehensive herd oversight.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on farm size, cow count, and modules; typically starts at €5,000+ annually plus hardware costs—contact GEA for quotes.
Fullwood JOS
enterpriseDairy herd control system providing automation, data management, and insights for efficient farm operations.
Direct integration with Apollo milking parlors for automated, accurate cow-level data capture without manual input
Fullwood JOS is a specialized dairy herd management software from Fullwood Packo, designed to integrate directly with their milking parlors and automation systems. It tracks individual cow performance including milk yields, health metrics via conductivity sensors, activity for heat detection, and reproduction data. The platform delivers customizable reports and alerts to optimize farm operations, feeding, and breeding decisions.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Fullwood milking hardware for real-time data
- Comprehensive analytics for production, health, and reproduction
- Reliable for large-scale dairy operations with proven global use
Cons
- Tied heavily to Fullwood equipment, limiting flexibility
- Desktop-focused interface with a learning curve for new users
- Pricing lacks transparency and requires custom quotes
Best For
Established dairy farms with Fullwood Packo milking systems looking for integrated hardware-software management.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on herd size and hardware; typically ranges from €5,000–€20,000+ initial setup plus annual maintenance.
Lely Horizon
enterpriseCloud-based farm management platform for robotic milking systems, cow monitoring, and data-driven decisions.
Seamless end-to-end integration with Lely Astronaut robots and Vector feeding system for automated, real-time farm control
Lely Horizon is a cloud-based dairy farm management software designed to integrate seamlessly with Lely's robotic milking systems, automated feeders, and sensors. It delivers real-time insights into milk production, cow health, feeding efficiency, reproduction, and overall herd performance through customizable dashboards and automated alerts. The platform enables data-driven decisions to optimize farm operations and improve profitability for modern dairy operations.
Pros
- Deep integration with Lely robotic milkers and feeders for automated data collection
- Real-time analytics and predictive alerts for herd health and performance
- Customizable dashboards supporting cow-level and herd-level management
Cons
- Primarily optimized for farms using Lely hardware, limiting flexibility for others
- Steep learning curve for non-Lely users during initial setup
- Pricing can be premium and tied to hardware ecosystem
Best For
Dairy farms already invested in Lely robotic systems looking for a fully integrated management solution.
Pricing
Subscription-based model, typically €5-10 per cow/month or customized contracts starting at €5,000+ annually depending on farm size and hardware integration.
Herdwatch
specializedMobile app for dairy farmers to record events, track compliance, and manage herd health on the go.
Fully automated animal passport applications and movement notifications integrated directly with government databases
Herdwatch is a mobile-first dairy and beef farm management software that allows farmers to record herd events like calving, health treatments, breeding, and vaccinations directly via smartphone app. It automates compliance reporting for regulations in Ireland and the UK, including TB testing and animal movements through integrations with national databases like BCMS and Animal Health Ireland. The platform provides dashboards for performance insights, inventory tracking, and task management to streamline daily farm operations.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for real-time on-farm recording
- Strong automation for regulatory compliance and reporting
- Affordable pricing with scalable plans
Cons
- Primarily tailored to Ireland/UK markets with limited global integrations
- Reporting and analytics lack depth compared to enterprise tools
- Occasional app glitches reported in offline mode
Best For
Small to medium dairy farmers in Ireland and the UK who need simple, mobile-based herd recording and compliance management.
Pricing
Free basic plan available; Pro plan at €49/year (up to 100 animals), Enterprise custom pricing for larger herds.
PCDART
specializedDairy records analysis software for processing test-day data, genetics, and herd reports.
Advanced integrated BLUP genetic merit predictions for sire and cow selection
PCDART from ptrn.com is a veteran Windows-based dairy herd management software that excels in tracking individual cow data including milk production, reproduction, health events, and genetics. It supports detailed record-keeping from milking parlors, breeding schedules, treatments, and inventory management, with robust reporting for herd analysis and DHI testing. Ideal for farms needing reliable, on-premise data handling without cloud dependencies.
Pros
- Comprehensive genetic and pedigree tracking with BLUP evaluations
- Powerful customizable reporting and herd analysis tools
- Reliable integration with parlor systems and DHI services
Cons
- Outdated graphical interface feels clunky by modern standards
- Limited mobile or web access options
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Established medium to large dairy operations prioritizing deep data analysis and on-site software over mobile/cloud convenience.
Pricing
One-time license starting at $1,495 for basic edition, up to $3,495 for Pro with modules; annual support ~$500+.
Datamars HerdMaster
specializedCloud livestock management platform tailored for dairy with identification, tracing, and performance tracking.
Seamless wireless integration with Datamars collars and meters for automated heat detection and health alerts
Datamars HerdMaster is a comprehensive dairy farm management software that centralizes herd data for tracking milk production, animal health, reproduction, and genetics. It integrates seamlessly with Datamars hardware like EID tags, milk meters, and monitoring collars to provide real-time insights and automated reporting. Designed for efficiency, it supports decision-making through customizable dashboards and mobile access for on-farm management.
Pros
- Strong integration with Datamars hardware for real-time data capture
- Robust dairy-specific tools for reproduction, health, and production tracking
- Advanced reporting and analytics for herd performance optimization
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to feature depth
- Pricing can be high for small farms
- Limited native integrations with non-Datamars third-party systems
Best For
Medium to large dairy operations already using Datamars identification and monitoring hardware seeking integrated herd management.
Pricing
Subscription-based model scaled by herd size; contact Datamars for custom quotes, typically $5-15 per cow/month depending on features.
Sum-It Dairy
specializedIntegrated dairy management software for recording milk production, fertility, and health events.
Advanced integration with DeLaval and Lely milking robots for automated, real-time herd data synchronization
Sum-It Dairy is a specialized herd management software developed for dairy farms, offering comprehensive tools for tracking milk production, animal health, reproduction, and feeding. It integrates with popular milking systems like DeLaval and Lely, providing real-time data on yields, somatic cell counts, and herd performance. The platform supports detailed reporting and decision-making aids tailored to European dairy operations, with a focus on on-premise desktop deployment.
Pros
- Deep dairy-specific features like milk component analysis and heat detection
- Reliable integration with hardware from major milking parlor brands
- Established track record with customizable reports for farm compliance
Cons
- Dated user interface lacking modern web or mobile responsiveness
- Limited cloud or remote access options
- Primarily optimized for Dutch farms with secondary English support
Best For
Small to medium-sized dairy farms in Europe seeking robust, hardware-integrated desktop software for daily herd management.
Pricing
Subscription model starting at €6-8 per lactating cow per year, with volume discounts and custom quotes for larger herds.
Conclusion
The reviewed dairy farm management software provides robust solutions to optimize operations, with DairyComp 305 leading as the top choice for its comprehensive tracking of reproduction, health, milking, and genetics. Afimilk and DeLaval DelPro follow closely, strong alternatives each with unique strengths—Afimilk's advanced integration and analytics, DeLaval's focus on integrated data across critical farm functions. Together, they highlight the diversity of tools available to suit various operational needs.
Don't miss out—explore DairyComp 305, the top-ranked tool, to unlock its full potential and take your dairy farm's efficiency to new heights.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison