SmaXtec Bolus
By SmaXtec
Last reviewed: December 2025
Revolutionary bolus sensor technology for continuous internal monitoring of cow core body temperature, drinking behavior, and activity from inside the...
SmaXtec is the pioneer of bolus sensor technology for dairy cattle, with sensors placed in the reticulum (second stomach) for continuous internal monitoring. This placement provides access to core body temperature - the earliest indicator of health issues.
The bolus measures temperature, drinking events, and activity continuously, transmitting data wirelessly to base stations. Advanced algorithms detect fever, reduced water intake, and behavior changes that indicate illness, often 24-48 hours before visible symptoms appear.
SmaXtec is particularly renowned for calving prediction, using temperature changes to alert farmers 6-24 hours before birth - a game-changer for calving management and calf survival.
Key Features
- Core Temperature Monitoring: Continuous internal temperature measurement for earliest fever detection
- Calving Prediction: Alert 6-24 hours before calving based on temperature drop
- Drinking Behavior: Track water intake patterns as health and comfort indicator
- Activity Monitoring: Movement and rumination tracking for health and fertility
- Heat Detection: Temperature and activity patterns for estrus identification
Advanced Features
- Early Illness Detection: Identify fever 24-48 hours before visible symptoms
- Subacute Ruminal Acidosis Detection: Detect SARA through pH and temperature patterns
- Heat Stress Monitoring: Real-time body temperature during heat events
- Ketosis Risk Assessment: Identify metabolic challenges in fresh cows
- API Integration: Connect with herd management systems and farm data
Ideal For
Farm Types: Progressive dairies, Large commercial operations, Operations with health challenges, Farms with intensive calving management
Competitive Advantages
What sets SmaXtec Bolus apart from alternatives:
- Only system measuring core body temperature from inside the cow
- Earliest possible disease detection - before external symptoms
- Industry-leading calving prediction accuracy
- No external hardware to damage or lose
- 8+ year lifespan with no battery replacement needed
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for SmaXtec Bolus:
Capital investment for boluses and infrastructure. Boluses remain in cow for life.
Pricing Model: per-head
Bolus cost is one-time per cow for lifetime monitoring. Volume discounts available.
Pros & Considerations
- Rumen bolus provides internal monitoring
- Body temperature for early disease detection
- Activity and heat detection
- Drinking behavior monitoring unique feature
- Cannot be lost like external tags
- Bolus administration required
- Higher per-cow investment
- Bolus is permanent (not transferable)
- Data interpretation requires understanding
Implementation & Setup
How to implement SmaXtec Bolus on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Installation 1-2 weeks for infrastructure; bolus administration ongoing
Training & Support
Training and support options available for SmaXtec Bolus:
Support Channels:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating SmaXtec Bolus:
- Is early disease detection a priority for your herd health program?
- How do you currently manage calving monitoring?
- What health challenges do you face most frequently?
- Are you interested in monitoring body temperature during heat stress?
- How many cows would you want to monitor?
- What is your barn infrastructure and base station placement opportunity?
- Do you need integration with existing herd software?