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Neveklov Dairy Farm, known from the Czech film Vesničko má středisková, is one of the largest farms in the region, home to several hundred cows. Until recently, the movement of dairy cows between barns, holding areas, and the milking station was managed manually—employees had to open and close gates according to a strict schedule. With such a large herd, this was a constant, time-consuming task that could also become stressful for the animals.
The goal of the project was to implement a fully automated system that would streamline cow movement, reduce manual labor, and enable better monitoring of the herd through an integrated camera system.
We developed an automated system that guides dairy cows smoothly and without unnecessary—and often stressful—human intervention. The movement between different areas of the farm is now controlled by a system of gates and chain-driven guides that open and close at exactly the right moment based on predefined logic. Thanks to the use of gentle chain drives and the absence of direct physical herding by staff, cow transfers are calmer and more fluid.
At the heart of the solution is the Tecomat Foxtrot, a modular PLC controller that enables both automated operation and remote management via a web interface. Manual control remains possible when needed.
Monitoring system
To ensure maximum oversight, we integrated a real-time camera monitoring system. It provides both local and remote access to live footage of cow movement—especially during transfers between barns, waiting areas, and the milking station—allowing farm staff to quickly identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
Automation significantly reduced the time needed to move cows between sectors and eased the workload of staff, who no longer have to manually direct the herd.
With smoother guidance and visual gate indicators, the overall organization of cow transfers improved, while the risk of stressful situations for the animals decreased.
Thanks to the integrated camera system, operators now have constant insight into the farm’s operations and can respond to any irregularities in real time. The web-based interface provides convenient remote control and diagnostics.
By eliminating the need for manual herding, the system has improved animal welfare and ensured a more comfortable experience for the cows throughout the entire process.
During the project, we gained valuable experience with the implementation of automated systems in a livestock production environment, where it is necessary to work not only with technology, but also with the natural behaviour of animals.
By optimizing the control logic and testing different approaches, we ensured that the cows quickly adapted to the new system. As a result, their movements became smooth and free from unnecessary stress.
