Ever.Ag Maternity Warden
By Ever.Ag
Last reviewed: January 2026
Ever.Ag Maternity Warden is an AI-powered calving detection system using computer vision to monitor pre-calving areas 24/7, sending real-time alerts when...
Overview
Ever.Ag Maternity Warden is an AI-powered calving detection system that uses computer vision to monitor pre-calving areas around the clock, detecting early signs of labor and sending real-time alerts to farm staff. Originally developed by Cainthus, a Dublin-based computer vision company founded in 2015, Maternity Warden became part of Ever.Ag's dairy technology suite following the acquisition in June 2022.
The system uses cameras mounted above calving pens to continuously observe cow behavior without disturbing the animals. AI algorithms trained on extensive calving behavior databases detect telltale signs of imminent labor, including tail raising, contractions, fetal visibility, restlessness, and isolation behavior. When these indicators are detected, the system sends time-stamped video clips and alerts to farm staff via smartphone or computer.
Maternity Warden addresses a critical challenge in dairy farming: approximately 7% of calves die within 48 hours of birth on U.S. dairies, with many losses preventable through timely intervention. By providing passive, non-disturbing surveillance with intelligent alerting, the system enables staff to intervene when needed while avoiding unnecessary disturbance of cows during normal calvings.
Snapshot
Product Name: Ever.Ag Maternity Warden
Company: Ever.Ag (formerly Cainthus, acquired June 2022)
Category: AI Camera Systems for Dairy Farms
Description: Computer vision-powered calving detection system that monitors pre-calving areas 24/7 and sends real-time alerts with video clips when labor begins or complications arise.
Who It's For: Dairy farms seeking to reduce calf mortality, improve calving outcomes, and enable timely intervention without constant human observation.
What It Does Best: Detects early signs of labor through behavioral analysis and sends real-time alerts with time-stamped video, allowing staff to monitor remotely and intervene when necessary.
Why It Matters: Stillbirths and difficult calvings represent significant economic losses and welfare concerns. Early detection of labor complications enables intervention that saves calves and protects cow health.
Ideal Users
Farm Types: Dairy operations with significant calving activity, particularly those with grouped calving seasons or year-round calving programs
Herd Size: All sizes, though larger operations benefit most from reduced labor requirements for calving surveillance
Roles: Herd managers, calving staff, veterinarians, farm owners
Main Features
AI-Powered Labor Detection
Neural networks trained on extensive calving behavior databases detect early signs of labor including tail raising, contractions, and fetal visibility
Real-Time Alerts
Sends immediate notifications to phones and computers when calving begins or complications are detected
Time-Stamped Video Clips
Each alert includes video footage of the detected behavior, allowing staff to assess the situation remotely
24/7 Passive Monitoring
Cameras observe continuously without disturbing cows, maintaining a calm calving environment
Night Coverage
Critical nighttime monitoring when many calvings occur and staff are not present
Complication Detection
Alerts when labor is prolonged or signs of dystocia are detected, enabling timely assistance
Advanced Features
Individual Cow Identification
Identifies cows by physical features without requiring RFID at the calving pen
Remote Viewing
Live feed access allows checking on cows from anywhere
Event Recording
Archives calving events for review, training, and veterinary consultation
Multi-Camera Networks
Expandable to cover multiple calving areas across the facility
Integration with Ever.Ag Platform
Connects with My Dairy Dashboard and other Ever.Ag dairy management tools
Data and Integrations
Integrates With: Ever.Ag My Dairy Dashboard, milk processor data systems, herd management software
Data Flows: Calving events integrate with herd records for comprehensive cow history and performance tracking
Competitive Advantages
Implementation
Timeline: Camera installation 1-2 days; system configuration and AI training period; optimization ongoing
Infrastructure Requirements:
Camera Placement: Positioned to capture clear views of the calving area while covering potential blind spots
Implementation Tips
Training and Support
Training: System orientation, alert interpretation, video review best practices, integration with farm protocols
Support: Ever.Ag technical support, remote diagnostics, software updates
Pricing
Model: Contact Ever.Ag for customized pricing based on facility size and configuration
Factors Affecting Cost:
Value Proposition: Reducing calf mortality from 7% to lower levels represents significant economic return through saved calves and improved cow welfare
Pros and Limitations
Strengths
Limitations
Best For
Not Ideal For
Company Background
Cainthus was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 2015 as a pioneer in applying computer vision and AI to livestock monitoring. The company received backing from Cargill and was tested on farms across New York, California, Canada, Italy, and Spain. In June 2022, Ever.Ag acquired Cainthus to expand its on-farm dairy technology capabilities, integrating Maternity Warden into the Ever.Ag platform alongside Feed King and other dairy management tools.
Website: ever.ag
Parent Company: Ever.Ag
Contact: +1 (214) 360-0061
Evaluation Questions
Before selecting Maternity Warden, consider:
Key Features
- 24/7 Calving Pen Monitoring: Overhead cameras continuously watch close-up cows around the clock, including critical nighttime hours when human observation is limited
- AI Behavioral Analysis: Advanced AI trained on 30,000+ calvings detects tail raising, visible fetal parts, side-lying positions, and contraction patterns indicating imminent calving
- Real-Time Video Alerts: Instant notifications with 30-second time-stamped video clips delivered to phones, tablets, or computers, enabling remote assessment before physical intervention
- Cow Location Tracking: Alerts include specific cow location within the calving pen for rapid identification and response
- 95%+ Detection Accuracy: System achieves over 95% accuracy with no false negatives reported during farm testing, ensuring no calving events are missed
- Calving Records Integration: Timestamps and calving data automatically feed into herd management records for reproduction and health tracking
Advanced Features
- Edge Computing Architecture: On-farm processing nodes analyze video in real-time without relying on cloud connectivity for time-sensitive alerts
- Multi-Camera Coverage: System scales with one camera per 40 feet of barn coverage, allowing comprehensive monitoring of large calving areas
- Training Data Expansion: Continuous AI model improvement through aggregated learning from deployed farm installations
- Group Calving Pen Adaptation: System being adapted for bedded pack and group calving environments beyond traditional freestall close-up pens
Ideal For
Farm Types: Indoor freestall dairies with dedicated close-up pens, Large commercial dairies with nighttime calving challenges, Operations with limited 24/7 staffing for maternity areas, Farms focusing on reducing calf mortality and cow complications
Competitive Advantages
What sets Ever.Ag Maternity Warden apart from alternatives:
- Built on proven Cainthus computer vision technology with 30,000+ training calvings
- 95%+ detection accuracy with no reported false negatives
- Time-stamped video documentation for training and record-keeping
- Non-invasive passive monitoring maintains calm calving environment
- Native integration with Ever.Ag dairy suite including Feed King
- Affordable $0.50/cow/month pricing accessible to mid-size operations
- 24/7 automated coverage replaces costly night shifts
- Potential 20x ROI through reduced stillbirths and emergency vet calls
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Ever.Ag Maternity Warden:
Affordable pricing structure with approximately $5,000 hardware installation cost plus $0.50 per cow per month subscription. ROI achieved through reduced stillbirths, avoided emergency vet calls, and labor savings from eliminated night checks.
Pricing Model: Hardware purchase plus monthly subscription
Ever.Ag. Contact for custom quotes based on barn configuration and herd size.
Pros & Considerations
- Proven 95%+ detection accuracy from 30,000+ training calvings
- Affordable per-cow pricing accessible to mid-size operations
- 24/7 automated monitoring eliminates need for constant human observation
- Time-stamped video clips provide documentation and training material
- Non-invasive approach maintains calm calving environment
- Potential 20x ROI through reduced mortality and emergency costs
- Currently optimized for indoor freestall setups with dedicated close-up pens
- Requires reliable network infrastructure in barn area
- Group calving pen and bedded pack adaptations still in development
- Camera coverage limited to 40 feet per unit requiring multiple cameras for large pens
ROI & Value Proposition
Understanding the return on investment for Ever.Ag Maternity Warden:
Maternity Warden delivers significant ROI through reduced calf mortality, avoided cow complications, and labor savings from eliminated night checks. The affordable $0.50/cow/month pricing means saving just a few calves or avoiding one emergency vet call can justify annual costs.
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Ever.Ag Maternity Warden on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Custom deployment timeline based on barn configuration and number of cameras required. Initial setup typically completed in 1-2 days per barn.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Ever.Ag Maternity Warden:
Support Channels:
- Ever.Ag customer support
- Ryne Braun (Director) and product team
- Implementation specialists for installation and configuration
Buying Considerations
Important factors to consider when evaluating Ever.Ag Maternity Warden:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Ever.Ag Maternity Warden:
- Is our close-up pen configuration suitable for overhead camera coverage?
- Do we have adequate network infrastructure in the maternity barn area?
- What is our current stillbirth rate and intervention timing?
- How many staff should receive calving alerts for 24/7 coverage?
- What is our current cost for night checks and emergency vet calls?
- Can we integrate calving timestamps with our herd management software?