News in brief: Northern Ireland’s farmers can now benefit from the Optihouse 3D app which helps farmers improve calf health and housing by allowing them to explore different designs and essential features, making it a valuable and user-friendly tool for calf rearing.
Northern Ireland’s farmers are set to benefit from a new 3D app designed to help them improve calf health and growth. The app, called Optihouse, allows farmers to step inside a virtual calf house and see the features that are essential for the healthy rearing of calves.
A local news report says that the app was developed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Belfast-based tech company Sentireal, with funding from the Department of the Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Optihouse allows farmers to experiment with different calf housing designs and layouts to find the best fit for their needs. The app also provides information on the key features of a healthy calf house, such as ventilation, lighting, and hygiene.
AFBI senior research scientist Gillian Scoley, who managed the project, said that Optihouse is a ‘valuable tool for farmers who want to improve the health and welfare of their calves.’
He added that it is easy to use and provides farmers with a clear understanding of the key factors that affect calf health and growth. Optihouse is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play in Ireland.
