NOVUS Launches C.O.W.S. Dairy Assessment Program in Europe
Dairy operators in Europe will gain access to new science-based herd management tools to track cow health and welfare.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People
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NOVUS is launching its C.O.W.S. dairy assessment program in Europe, naming Moyna Bierma to lead the expansion as Program and Dairy Sales Manager. The rollout targets the Benelux region, the United Kingdom, and Ireland to improve herd management and production outcomes.
Why it matters
The introduction of this science-based assessment framework provides dairy operators with a new structured tool for bench-marking animal welfare and productivity. It reflects a growing industry focus on leveraging data-driven management strategies to enhance long-term sustainability and reproductive performance.
The program brings a methodology developed over more than a decade of use in the U.S. to the European dairy sector. It remains unclear how local regulatory or operational variations will impact the initial implementation across the Benelux, U.K., and Irish markets.
The players
NOVUS
An international animal health and nutrition company that provides science-based solutions for livestock production.
Moyna Bierma
The newly appointed C.O.W.S. Program and Dairy Sales Manager for the Benelux region, the U.K., and Ireland.
The details
The C.O.W.S. Program utilizes a structured, science-based approach to collect data on cow behavior, housing, and management practices. By auditing these factors, the program aims to help operators refine their management strategies, ultimately supporting improvements in both reproductive health and overall production performance.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: NOVUS announced the program expansion and the appointment of Moyna Bierma.
Past decade: The program has been operational in the United States.
Market Landscape
The expansion of the C.O.W.S. dairy farm assessment program represents a move to standardize animal welfare audits across international borders. It follows a broader industry trend of implementing long-standing U.S. health and productivity frameworks in the European agricultural sector.
Dairy operators in the target regions should evaluate how this audit-based model compares to their existing herd management workflows. Keep a close watch on how the implementation of these metrics influences production cost structures and herd performance data in the coming months.
The takeaway
The arrival of established U.S.-based audit programs in Europe highlights a shift toward standardized, data-heavy livestock management. Operators should track the program's initial pilot performance metrics to determine if integrating these assessments offers a measurable return on herd health.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership and structural changes, explore our coverage in People.
More information
Review the full methodology and service offerings on the C.O.W.S. Program information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cattle Site.
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