6 cattle technology trends that continue to push boundaries

The cattle industry has seen a sharp rise in technology in recent years. While new high-tech tools are promising, they also have to be practical, user-friendly and offer a solid return on investment before cattle producers invest.

The surge of new technology brings both optimism and skepticism. We talked to cattle producers and related experts about seven tools they’re excited or concerned about, think have value or are considering for their operations.

Electronic identification (EID) tags

Individual animal identification is top-of-mind for many producers.

Missouri rancher Matt Poindexter hopes for complete birth to butcher traceability. “We should be able to keep records from the day a calf is born to the day it’s hanging on the rail and have the information move back and forth across the supply chain,” he says.

If cow/calf producers used more EID technology and passed data to backgrounders, finishers and packing plants, it would improve management practices, protocols and production strategies, Poindexter says.

“I’d know what shots were given and when, solving comingling issues by pairing groups with the same vaccines,” he says. “I could even isolate bloodlines more susceptible to sickness to improve my herd.”

South Dakota rancher Chris Howard’s interest in individual identification lies in pasture management. He would use the added data to confirm correlations between movements and rotational grazing timing.

“My theory is at a certain threshold, cows move more to attain the same level of forage intake. If I identify this threshold, my rotational grazing will be more efficient,” he says.

On a simpler note, he’d also welcome ‘The cows are out!’ alerts.

For producers considering or already using EID tags, here are a few ideas to make sure you’re getting the most out of your tag investment.