Cows are counting steps

Move over recreational joggers – there’s a new W\SH RI µ¿w ELW¶ DQG LQVWHDG RI PRQLWRULQJ SHR SOH LW PRQLWRUV OLYHVWRFN

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CSIRO and agtech group Ceres Tag have FUHDWHG WKH SURGXFW WR KHOS IDUPHUV NHHS WUDFN RI ZKHUH WKHLU OLYHVWRFN DUH DQG ZKDW WKH\ DUH doing.

The development represents the type of technology that might ultimately be in use at Longerenong College as part of its data-farm development and evolution.

7KH QHZ WHFKQRORJ\ ZKLFK WDNHV WKH IRUP RI a smart ear tag, produces similar data to that delivered by consumer smart watches.

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Researchers successfully trialled the smart ear tag on 100 cattle at CSIRO’S Lansdown Research Station near Townsville in Queensland earlier this month.

The aim is to save farmers time and monH\ FRPSDUHG ZLWK FRVWV RI PDQXDOO\ WUDFNLQJ ÀRFNV DQG KHUGV XVLQJ YHKLFOHV RU DLUFUDIW

Ceres Tag chief executive David Smith said the tag provided transparent grazing management, allowing farmers to locate and monitor WKHLU DQLPDOV WR UHGXFH ULVN DQG RSHUDWLQJ FRVWV LPSURYH HI¿FLHQF\ DQG KHOS ZLWK WUDFHDELOLW\