Assisting Knowledge Dissemination of Postpartum Beef Cows Management using Smartphone-Based Technology

Abstract

This study led to four key findings: 1) farmers’ demographics and farm characteristics, 2) mobile phone usage, 3) a postpartum cow management knowledge test, and 4) the development of a Postcow mobile app as a learning tool. A total of 40 smallholder beef cattle farmers were selected for the study from October to November 2019. The results revealed that the farmers were 72.50 % males, and over half of the farmers were more than 50 years of age, 57.50 %, with primary school level being their highest education level at 65 %. It was also found that 47.50 % of the respondents had never searched for new knowledge from any sources about postpartum cow management. The responses indicated that all of the respondents used mobile phones with Android operation systems with access to the internet-enabled. The main reason for their use of mobile phones was to make and receive calls (57.14 %), and the most visited platform was Line (52.50 %). With regards to the downloading of any livestock apps, about 90 % of the respondents had never downloaded any before. The results of the farmers’ knowledge test demonstrated that the overall average score was 31.25 % of questions being answered correctly. In terms of mobile app development, the main features included a farmer knowledge test, cow production cycle, after calving management practices, feeding practices, general health care practices, and cow individual records and notifications. Our findings highlighted the need for more emphasis on making farmers aware of new technology for increased farm productivity performances. HIGHLIGHTS Mobile app making farmers aware of new technology for increased farm productivity performances The Postcow app was designed to enable farmers to gain knowledge about postpartum cow management practices All of the farmers have access to the internet and ready to obtain the new technology GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT