“Great farming is the foundation – we’re here to help it reach the next level.“
After a year of working on dairy farms in New Zealand, Aisling Downey, smaXtec Sales Representative for Northern Ireland, has returned to the UK with fresh energy, valuable insights – and a clear message for farmers back home: technology like smaXtec isn’t just useful, it’s essential.
A Farming Culture Built on Simplicity and Efficiency
“Coming from a dairy farm myself, heading to New Zealand was more than just a professional opportunity,” Aisling explains. “It was a chance to see how another leading dairy nation approaches the same challenges we face here in the UK and Ireland. There’s a real emphasis on animal welfare, pasture management, and using technology where it adds real, measurable value.”
Aisling Downey, smaXtec Sales RepresentativeTechnology can actually save labour – not add to it. Early detection tools like smaXtec give farmers time back – and peace of mind. That’s something I think we need to talk about more, especially as labour pressures continue to rise.
“Kiwi farmers have a strong 'make it work' mindset, and their approach to farm operations is often low-input but high-efficiency.” That’s where the proactive health management approach from smaXtec fits right in. A change in body temperature is the first sign of the many common diseases in dairy cows and is therefore considered the gold standard for reliable early detection. Continuous temperature monitoring with the highest accuracy (± 0.01 °C) thanks to smaXtec allows farmers to detect diseases before rumination decreases or external signs are visible. This aligns perfectly with the practical, results-driven approach Aisling saw abroad.
“Technology Can Actually Save Labour”
One key takeaway from New Zealand is that the use of technology is often more integrated into day-to-day routines, rather than being a standalone system. Their use of tech isn’t a separate task – it’s part of the daily routine.
Back in the UK, Aisling sees huge potential for applying these ideas – especially when it comes to staff training, collaborative data-based decision-making, and farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing.
Her advice for all farmers thinking about adopting smaXtec:
Aisling Downey, smaXtec Sales RepresentativeDon’t wait until you ‘need it’ or for the ‘right time.’ In New Zealand, the most successful farms were the ones that planned ahead and built technology into their everyday routine – not just as a crisis tool, but as a foundation for good management, and this is where we see results. Overall, my time in New Zealand reaffirmed that technology, when used well, isn’t about replacing good farming – it’s about enhancing it. And that’s a message I’m passionate about bringing back home.
We’re excited to see how Aisling will put her international experience into action and support farmers across the UK and Ireland in making smaXtec a key part of smarter, more efficient herd and health management. The future of dairy farming is already here – and we can’t wait to shape it together.
Would you also like to take a preventive approach to heard health management? We are happy to advise you in a non-binding initial consultation!
