Farming with Fit Bits to Track Livestock

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and agtech startup Cerest Tag has created a new type of farming with ‘fit bit’ to track livestock activity and movement.

Co-funded by MLA Donor Company, the GPS-enabled device takes the form of a smart ear tag and tracks animal movement via Internet of Things (IoT) capability.

Using on board accelerometers, the tag sends out alerts for unusual activity patterns that are triggered if an animal has been stolen, escaped or even if an animal is sick or giving birth.

The world-first ear tags are designed for improved retention and to last throughout the animal’s lifetime.

The tag was successfully trialed last week on 100 cattle at CSIRO’s Lansdown Research Station near Townsville, QLD.

According to CEO of Ceres Tag David Smith, the tag will reduce risks and operating costs, improve efficiency and assist with traceability.

CSIRO aims to create a smaller, lighter tag, as well as added functionality such as a temperature sensor, which could alert farmers to illnesses at an earlier stage.