Grain farmers and HerdTrack: bringing the point home, not the combine to the kraal

HerdTrack is a livestock management system that makes counting and monitoring your animals fast and simple. We were recently at the VKB Bieliemielie Festival in Reitz and received many questions from grain farmers trying to connect the dots—or perhaps rather, trying to connect the ear tag to the maize!

The confusion is understandable, but not unexplainable. This article summarises a few frequently asked questions and our answers to them.

What does HerdTrack have to do with a grain farmer?

We understand that time is a farmer’s scarcest resource. Grain farmers must focus on their crops, which makes livestock management an additional task and challenge. However, HerdTrack makes livestock management less labour-intensive by keeping a digital eye over the herd while the farmer is busy in the fields. The system works with three core components to simplify your daily work on the farm:

• The RFID ear tag: Each animal receives a unique tag that broadcasts an identification number. You register the animal’s details (such as gender, lineage, birth date, and weight) on your smart device. This data forms the basis for complete herd management.
• Scanners: These solar-powered units are placed at strategic locations, such as a water trough or gate. They monitor animals within a 10-metre radius and automatically send data via mobile networks to your private profile. Equipped with lithium batteries, they remain operational even in the most remote camps.
• The software platform: Via the cloud-based platform, you have access to records of movement, behaviour, and health at any time. The iOS and Android applications make it easy to manage everything from your phone. You have all the information at hand to make quick decisions without having to drive from camp to camp every day.

What are the benefits for a farmer who primarily plants crops but has a few cattle on the side?

For a crop farmer, it is often difficult to physically get to the animals during planting and harvesting seasons. HerdTrack functions as a 24-hour eye that monitors the herd on your behalf.

Even while you are busy on the tractor, you can check numbers, plan medication, or see which cows are close to calving.

Because the data is easy to enter and accessible from anywhere, it equips you with accurate records for better decision-making. You can immediately see if animals are missing and eliminate human counting errors. It also helps to oversee the work done by foremen, such as keeping track of weight development and treatments. Changes in behaviour due to illness or thirst are quickly detected so that you can intervene early.

Through this automation, a farmer can consider increasing his herd size without hiring more staff. A larger herd also means more livestock on the fields, leading to better manure distribution and hoof action, which promotes soil health for the next planting season and can ultimately increase profits.

Can I move the system around if my livestock graze on crop residues in different fields?

Absolutely. It is not necessary to purchase a scanner for every field. The hardware is specifically designed to be easily moved. You can easily relocate the solar-powered field scanner as the livestock move between different lands, while the software conveniently goes with you on your smart device wherever you are.

What information can be stored by HerdTrack?

Just as yield data is crucial for your crops, HerdTrack offers similar depth for your livestock component. The most valuable function is the automatic count at set times, which indicates exactly which animals are present or missing.

In addition to basic data like birth dates, parentage, and herd classification, you can also document the following:

• Pregnancy status and expected calving dates.
• Weight gain to monitor growth and condition.
• Medication administration, including specific dosage formulas.

Can HerdTrack give me practical notifications?

HerdTrack offers customisable notifications so that you are always up to date with changes in your herd. You can set it to alert you if a certain animal has not been counted. Additionally, you can receive reminders for medication and follow-up doses, as well as notifications for the last five days of pregnancy. Even water management is included. By connecting a water level sensor, the system can warn you when the level in a trough drops too low.

Summary

We understand that you cannot easily drive your combine to the kraal to keep an eye on your herd. This is why HerdTrack wants to assist not only our country’s resilient livestock farmers but also make our meticulous grain farmers part of the HerdTrack herd.

~ Compiled by René van der Vyver