When Portlaoise dairy farmer Bruce Thompson talks about milking 300 cows, he’s quick to point out that keeping on top of milk temperature and volume used to be more of a guessing game than a science.
“Before Levno, I didn’t really know how much milk was in the tank until the lorry came,” he says. “We weren’t sure of the temperature, and if production dipped because of weather or feed, it could take a few days to notice.”
That uncertainty changed when Bruce fitted Levno’s Milk Monitoring System - a 24/7 monitoring solution that tracks milk volume, temperature, and cooling performance in real time. The data feeds straight to his phone, allowing him and his team to spot changes immediately.
“I can tell how much milk the cows have given by the end of milking and if anything looks off, I can react straight away,” he explains. “Even if I’m not in the yard, I can see that everything’s working correctly.”
That peace of mind proved its worth during a recent heatwave.
“I woke up in the night and heard the coolers running. I feared the worst - that the milk hadn’t cooled properly,” Bruce recalls. “I checked the Levno app and saw the temperature had only risen slightly and the coolers had kicked in and done their job. I could go back to sleep.”
That moment, he says, summed up what the system is all about: reassurance through real-time information.
“It’s not just about avoiding spoilage - it’s about confidence. Knowing the system is doing what it should means we can focus on everything else that needs doing.”
Beyond peace of mind, Bruce says Levno has given him new insights into how efficiently his milking and cooling systems run.
“It’s shown me how parts of my milking machine and cooling system are performing,” he explains. “I can see the water flow rates to pre-cool the milk and how efficient the tank is. It helps me make small adjustments that add up over time.”
He also values the wash temperature monitoring - something he never had before.
“Previously, we were checking water temperature by touch. Now, I can see it in real time. I know my plant and tank washes are hitting the right temperatures, which gives me confidence that everything is properly cleaned. That keeps our bacteria levels where we want them and protects milk quality.”
That data is shared across his team too. “My farm manager can access the same information, so the responsibility is shared. Everyone can see what’s happening, even when they’re not in the yard.”
Levno’s Field Technician, Gerry Egan, says stories like Bruce’s are becoming more common as Irish farmers look for practical ways to monitor and manage their operations.
“Levno is like another set of eyes on your tank,” he says. “We’re watching your system 24/7. If the power goes out or something breaks down, the farmer gets an alert right away. That’s real peace of mind.”
Levno has been operating in Ireland for just over two years, with systems now installed on farms from Cork to Northern Ireland. While milk monitoring remains the flagship product, the company is also rolling out their water and fuel monitoring systems, giving farmers visibility over more on-farm resources.
“We’re adding water monitoring here now,” Bruce says. “It’ll help us track usage and reduce any waste. We’re also looking at grain bin monitoring down the line.”
He says the installation was quick, the app is easy to use, and the value speaks for itself.
“The information we’re getting is invaluable,” Bruce says. “It’s simple, reliable, and it’s already changed how we run the farm.”
For him, the benefits go beyond data. They’re about confidence and control - knowing his milk, systems, and people are all working together.
“It’s peace of mind,” he says. “Knowing everything’s working as it should.”