GEA Group (CattleEye) CattleEye Lameness Detection System

Overview

CattleEye is an AI-powered lameness detection and body condition scoring system that uses computer vision to automatically monitor dairy cattle as they exit the milking parlor. Acquired by GEA Group in March 2024, CattleEye has become a leading solution for automated mobility assessment, monitoring over 200,000 cows worldwide across North America, Europe, and Australasia.

The system uses a single overhead camera mounted above the parlor exit to capture video of each cow as she walks past. Advanced AI algorithms analyze gait patterns, tracking 16 data points per cow including back posture, stride changes, walking speed, head bobbing, and movement asymmetry. The system identifies individual cows by their unique body patterns and coat markings without requiring RFID or wearable devices.

CattleEye's breakthrough capability is detecting lameness up to 23 days before symptoms become visible to human observers, enabling early intervention that reduces treatment costs, maintains milk production, and improves animal welfare outcomes.

Snapshot

Product Name: CattleEye Lameness Detection System

Company: CattleEye (acquired by GEA Group, March 2024)

Category: AI Camera Systems for Dairy Farms

Description: Cloud-based computer vision system that automatically monitors cow mobility and body condition using a single camera mounted over the parlor exit.

Who It's For: Dairy farms seeking to reduce lameness prevalence, improve animal welfare, and optimize herd management through automated mobility monitoring.

What It Does Best: Detects lameness 23 days earlier than human observation, providing daily mobility scores and prioritized treatment lists.

Why It Matters: Lameness costs $325-420 per affected cow annually through reduced milk production, treatment costs, and impaired fertility. Early detection enables lower-cost interventions and prevents progression to severe cases.

Ideal Users

Farm Types: Dairy operations of all types, particularly those with high lameness prevalence (above 20%) or welfare compliance requirements

Herd Size: Most cost-effective for herds of 500+ cows, though smaller operations can benefit from targeted lameness reduction

Roles: Herd managers, hoof trimmers, veterinarians, dairy advisors, animal welfare officers

Main Features

AI-Powered Gait Analysis

Tracks 16 data points per cow including back posture, stride length, walking speed, head bob, and weight distribution asymmetry

Individual Cow Identification

Recognizes cows by unique body patterns and coat markings without requiring RFID tags, collars, or wearables

Daily Mobility Scores

Provides 0-100 mobility scores for each cow, aligned with UK AHDB 0-3 scoring system for easy interpretation

Prioritized Treatment Lists

Generates daily sorted lists of 20-30 cows by lameness severity, enabling targeted trimming and treatment

Real-Time Alerts

Sends notifications to smartphone, tablet, or parlor PC when lameness is detected

Cloud-Based Dashboard

Web interface for viewing individual cow histories, herd trends, and weekly/fortnightly analysis

Advanced Features

Body Condition Scoring (BCS)

Optional module provides automated BCS tracking (1-5 scale) every time a cow passes the camera, with accuracy comparable to expert veterinarians

Trend Analysis

Weekly and fortnightly reports highlight changes in herd mobility and identify patterns

Data Export

CSV export capability for custom analysis, trim list creation, and integration with herd management systems

Herd Management Integration

Connects with major dairy software platforms for seamless data synchronization

Data and Integrations

Integrates With: Major herd management software platforms, RFID parlor systems, farm data dashboards

Data Flows: Mobility scores and BCS data flow to herd management systems for treatment scheduling, breeding decisions, and culling analysis

Competitive Advantages

Early Detection: Identifies lameness 23 days before visual symptoms appear

No Wearables Required: Uses existing coat patterns for identification, eliminating device costs and maintenance

Proven Results: University of Liverpool study showed 4x reduction in severe lameness cases

Low Hardware Cost: Single camera setup at $300-400 versus $200+ per cow for wearable sensors

Actionable Lists: Daily prioritized treatment lists enable targeted intervention

Strong ROI: Estimated $420 savings per cow annually, 10x+ return on investment

Implementation

Timeline: Installation in 1-2 days; 7-14 day AI learning period to recognize individual cows; optimization ongoing

Infrastructure Requirements:

Standard security camera mounted approximately 4 meters above parlor exit

Ethernet switch and SD card

Internet connectivity for cloud processing

Clear view of cows walking naturally (not rushed)

Installation: Camera positioned to capture each cow's full body profile as she exits the parlor at normal walking pace

Implementation Tips

Position camera where cows walk naturally, not where they are rushed or crowded

Ensure adequate lighting for quality video capture

Allow full learning period before expecting accurate individual identification

Train staff on interpreting mobility scores and responding to alerts

Establish trimming protocols based on AI recommendations

Review weekly trends to identify systemic issues

Training and Support

Training: System training, best practices for using mobility data, protocol development for lameness response

Support: GEA provides ongoing technical support, remote diagnostics, and software updates

Pricing

Hardware Cost: $300-400 USD (approximately £150 GBP) for camera and installation

Subscription: Approximately $1.45 USD per cow per month

Modules Available:

Lameness detection (core)

Body condition scoring (optional add-on)

ROI Estimate: $420 USD (£320-350 GBP) savings per cow annually from lameness detection alone; £175 GBP per cow annually when using both lameness and BCS modules; company claims 10x+ ROI

Pros and Limitations

Strengths

Detects lameness 23 days before visible symptoms

No wearable devices to manage or replace

Low hardware cost with per-cow subscription model

Proven clinical results in peer-reviewed research

Works with existing parlor infrastructure

Daily actionable treatment lists

Monitors 24/7 without labor requirements

Limitations

Requires cows to exit through monitored point (parlor exit)

7-14 day learning period for new installations

Accuracy depends on consistent lighting and cow walking behavior

Does not monitor cows in barn or pasture environments

Cloud-dependent (requires internet connectivity)

Best For

Large dairy operations (500+ cows) with lameness prevalence above 20%

Farms seeking to improve animal welfare metrics

Operations with compliance or sustainability reporting requirements

Dairies using data-driven management approaches

Not Ideal For

Very small herds where per-cow cost is less justifiable

Farms without reliable internet connectivity

Operations where cows do not pass a consistent monitoring point

Real-World Results

University of Liverpool Study (2025)

Randomized control trial at large UK dairy farm demonstrated:

4x lower severe lameness in CattleEye-monitored group versus human observation

2.5x fewer moderate and chronic lameness cases

Prevention of progression from moderate to severe lesions

Triple G Dairy (Arizona)

5,000-6,000 cow operation reported after 2 years:

Dramatic lameness reduction

Independent audit found 0 lame cows in sample of 100

Improved labor efficiency with targeted trimming

Better culling decisions using mobility data

Highfields Farm (UK)

1,050 Holstein cows producing 12,500 liters per cow:

8% reduction in lameness over 18 months

Faster recovery times when lameness detected

Better long-term mobility outcomes

Evaluation Questions

Before selecting CattleEye, consider:

What is our current lameness prevalence and cost of lameness?

Do all cows exit through a consistent monitoring point?

Do we have reliable internet connectivity at the parlor?

Who will review alerts and manage the treatment response?

How will we integrate mobility data with our herd management workflow?

What is our current lameness detection and trimming protocol?

Do we need body condition scoring in addition to lameness detection?

What ROI do we expect based on our herd size and lameness costs?

Company Background

CattleEye was founded in Northern Ireland and developed AI-powered livestock monitoring technology using computer vision. The company raised funding through AgFunder and attracted clients including Tesco, Danone, Arla, and A-ware Food Group. In March 2024, CattleEye was acquired by GEA Group, a German food technology supplier, providing global distribution and integration with GEA's dairy equipment ecosystem.

Website: cattleeye.com

Parent Company: GEA Group (since March 2024)

Global Reach: Over 200,000 cows monitored worldwide