New handheld device helps dairy farmers monitor cow reproduction quickly and accurately
Reproductive success is one of the most important factors in dairy farming. Dairy cows must become pregnant regularly to maintain consistent milk production and ensure dairy operations remain profitable. However, determining whether a cow is pregnant often requires specialized equipment, trained technicians, or laboratory testing that can be costly and time-consuming.
Researchers at Cornell University, led by the laboratory of Dr. David Erickson, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and working through the Cornell Agricultural Systems Testbed and Demonstration Site (CAST), are developing an innovative technology called the ReproPhone.
The ReproPhone is designed to provide dairy farmers with rapid information about a cow’s reproductive status directly on the farm. By reducing reliance on expensive equipment and laboratory testing, the technology could make herd management easier and more accessible for producers.
The handheld system consists of a portable mini-computer and a cartridge holding a specialized test strip. Farmers place a small blood sample from a cow onto the strip, and the device analyzes the results within minutes.
The technology works by detecting Pregnancy Specific Protein B (PSPB), a biological marker associated with pregnancy. Unlike traditional test strips that require visual interpretation, the ReproPhone measures fluorescence signals to determine whether PSPB is present and at what concentration. This helps reduce human error and produce more objective results.
Researchers are also developing an advanced version of the system that can measure two reproductive indicators simultaneously. In addition to PSPB, the test can analyze progesterone levels, providing information about the cow’s ovarian activity.
“Dairy cattle reproductive efficiency is critical to ensure consistent milk production and maximize farm profitability,” said Thea Nikolaou, PhD’28 Biomedical Engineering, a member of the lab of David Erickson, professor of mechanical engineering. “This means farmers need to carefully manage the pregnancy status of their cattle.”
This added information offers significant benefits for herd managers. If a cow is not pregnant, knowing her ovarian status can help determine the best reproductive management strategy. Farmers can make informed decisions about breeding schedules and treatments that encourage ovulation, helping maintain reproductive efficiency throughout the herd.
Another important goal of the project is streamlining farm recordkeeping. The researchers envision a system that connects animal identification, blood sampling, testing, and herd management software into a single workflow. Such integration could reduce paperwork, improve data accuracy, and simplify reproductive monitoring.
“Instead of a human having to decide if the test shows one line or two in the test strip, as in an over-the-counter COVID test, the ReproPhone measures florescence to decide if PSPB is present and at what level. If it is above a certain level, then the cow is pregnant,” said Julio Giordano, professor of dairy cattle biology and reproduction, and director of CAST. “There’s no human subjectivity involved. A farmer could do this test on-farm, on their own, without expensive equipment.”
The development team is also working closely with industry partner BioTRACKING LLC, which provides antibody technology used in the pregnancy detection process. The collaboration combines academic research with commercial expertise to create a practical solution for dairy producers.
Field testing will soon take place at Cornell’s Dairy Research and Education Center, which manages hundreds of dairy cows and young animals. Testing under real farm conditions will help researchers evaluate how well the ReproPhone integrates into everyday dairy operations.
The project highlights the broader mission of CAST; a research initiative focused on bringing advanced agriculture technologies into real-world farming environments. CAST combines expertise in farming, engineering, data science, automation, and precision agriculture to develop solutions that improve productivity and sustainability.
As artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital technologies become increasingly important in agriculture, tools like the ReproPhone demonstrate how innovation can address practical farm challenges. By offering quick, reliable, and affordable reproductive testing, the technology could help dairy farmers make better decisions and improve herd performance.
If successful, the ReproPhone may become an important tool for dairy operations of all sizes, providing easier access to reproductive management information and helping ensure year-round milk production.
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