CalvingCatcher AI
By combining the CalvingCatcher vision model with the AI detector, we create an automated warning system that monitors cows in real-time to detect the specific stages of calving.
24/7 Smart Herd Surveillance
Calving detectionThe Basics
- 24/7 Monitoring The program continuously monitors a live camera stream directed at the maternity pen.
- Artificial Intelligence It uses AI to automatically recognize calving signs. Trained on the Ultralytics Yolo framework for speed and accuracy.
- Instant Alerts Upon detection, an instant photo and video alert is sent directly to your phone via Telegram or Home Assistant.
- Non-intrusive Your cameras remain fully functional for live viewing; we simply use an additional stream.
- Local Processing Everything runs locally on your own computer in the barn, house, or office.
The "Smart" Part
Learned Behavior
Just as you recognize a calving cow, this model is trained by farmers using real-world barn data to spot the water bag, legs, and head.
Confidence Score
The system assigns a score to each detection to indicate how certain it is of the calving stage.
How it works in practice
- 1
Continuous Monitoring
The camera films the cows all day.
- 2
Smart Analysis
Every few seconds, the program analyzes the activity.
- 3
Detection
Upon a reliable detection of a calving stage, the system begins saving frames.
- 4
The Perfect Shot
Multiple seconds of footage are collected to capture the best possible moment.
- 5
Sending Notifications
You receive a "Calving Detected" notification with the clearest images on your phone.
Important considerations – You are in control
A tool, not a replacement
AI can sometimes trigger a false alarm. You make the final decision.
Animal Identification
The system does not read ear tags. You must identify the specific cow in the photo yourself.
Physical checks remain crucial
Always head to the barn to confirm the situation when every second counts.
An extra pair of eyes
See it as a digital assistant for the moments you aren't there. Your expertise is indispensable.
Practical Workflow
- 1 Receive Alert
- 2 View Photo
- 3 Identify Animal
- 4 Physical Check
- 5 Take Action
Why this system is valuable
- You don't have to constantly watch the cameras yourself.
- You won't miss a calving event, even in the middle of the night.
- Instant alerts allow you to act fast when every second counts.
- Track the exact progression of the birth from the first signs.
Data & Privacy
- Local Hosting Your data never leaves your farm. The program runs completely locally.
- Requirements The PC must be on and connected to the internet to send notifications.
- Platforms We use Telegram or Home Assistant for alerts.
- Storage Images are kept on your own PC. Only the best images are forwarded.
- Continuous Improvement You can help train the program further.
What you need
- A Computer Low cost consumer hardware, preferably with an NVIDIA graphics card (GTX 1000-series or newer).
- IP Camera Connect your existing IP/wifi cameras via RTSP.
- POE Switch To provide power and data to wired cameras.
- LAN Cable For a stable connection.
- Internet Connection.
What we provide
- The Trained AI Model The vision "engine" trained on real-world calving data.
- Privacy The model contains no imagery from other farms.
- Open Source Software A versatile AI detector downloaded automatically upon startup.
Disclaimer & Licenses
Provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. It is open-source software (AGPL-3.0). Please be fair and direct users to the official GitHub page.
Ready to try it in your own barn?
The software is free. You install it yourself, step by step, with our guide.