New hardware for efficient livestock management

Do you sometimes feel like no one understands the unique challenges on your farm? What if you heard that HerdTrack is developing new hardware and technology to adapt to the diverse and unique conditions livestock farmers face?

The core of HerdTrack’s success lies in the powerful combination of long-range RFID ear tags, advanced scanners and innovative software. All scans are uploaded directly to the HerdTrack software platform, enabling farmers to maintain accurate record-keeping, complete traceability and better herd management. These core benefits remain the absolute focus and priority in all the new hardware being developed, ensuring technology makes the farmer’s daily tasks as easy and efficient as possible.

Benitta Erlank, sales representative at HerdTrack, shares more about the new hardware now available…

HerdTrack’s field scanner is already established on farms across South Africa. Where did the need arise to expand the range with new types of scanners?

The HerdTrack field scanner has already proven itself as a reliable tool for automated animal identification and record-keeping. Expanding our scanner range was therefore a natural next step to provide even more practical solutions for farmers.

Our focus is to develop technology that adapts to different farming systems and management needs. By constantly listening to feedback and suggestions from farmers, we were able to develop new scanners that address specific applications, such as large herds, fast-moving animals and various working environments.

What exactly does the new hardware entail?

There are currently four new products…

Multi-antenna cattle scanner

The HerdTrack multi-antenna cattle scanner is a high-performance, fixed RFID solution designed for busy management points where cattle need to be identified quickly and efficiently. The system uses four antennas strategically installed on a framework (or around an opening) to create a complete reading field through which animals move.

When an animal moves through the framework, opening, crush, weighing scale or other management point, the RFID ear tag is read automatically, and the information is immediately sent to the HerdTrack software. This eliminates manual livestock identification, ensuring that every movement or management action is digitally captured.

The multi-antenna cattle scanner is ideal for applications such as crushes, weighing scales, sorting systems, loading facilities and other fixed installations where large numbers of animals are handled regularly. This four-antenna system offers excellent coverage across the entire scanning opening, making it possible to identify animals continuously without interrupting the movement of the herd.

Multi-antenna sheep scanner

The HerdTrack multi-antenna sheep scanner was specially developed for sheep and small stock operations where large flocks of animals move quickly through a scanning point. The system uses three RFID antennas mounted in an A-frame, with dimensions optimally designed for the natural movement of sheep.

This unique design ensures that the antennas read the animals’ ear tags from different angles as they move through the frame. This makes the scanner particularly suitable for high-speed applications and handling large numbers of animals, especially during sorting, movement through crushes, dipping processes and other management actions.

Multi-antenna cattle scanner

Handheld scanner

The HerdTrack handheld scanner is a portable and user-friendly tool designed to support farmers quickly and efficiently with individual animal management. It offers the flexibility to scan RFID ear tags anywhere on the farm and capture data immediately.

The handheld scanner is ideal for:

• Individual identification of animals.
• Counting animals during herd visits or routine checks.
• Confirming which animals are present or not.
• Registering new animals on the system.
• Recording treatments, medication and dosages.
• Capturing vaccinations, including foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations.
• Moving animals between camps, herds or production groups.
• Identifying a specific animal and updating its record with new information.

Water tank level sensor

This system monitors the water level in a tank by means of sensors that continuously measure the current level. This information is sent to a control unit installed at the pressure pump.

The control unit automatically switches the pump on and off to maintain predetermined minimum and maximum water levels. The system also includes built-in safety controls to protect the pressure pump from damage, such as running dry or improper operation, thereby ensuring reliable and efficient water management on the farm.

What feedback or initial reactions have you already received from farmers regarding the new hardware?

The feedback from farmers has been extremely positive. They especially appreciate that the new hardware was developed with practical farm management in mind and that it addresses real challenges they experience daily.

Many farmers are impressed by the simplicity of the systems and how easily they can be integrated into existing workflows.

The ability to automatically collect large amounts of data and synchronise it directly with the HerdTrack software saves time, reduces administration and gives farmers greater confidence in their record-keeping.

Farmers have also indicated that they appreciate the wider variety of scanners, as it allows them to choose the solution that best fits their specific farming and management needs.

This feedback confirms our approach to developing technology that is practical, reliable and focused on the real needs of South African farmers.

What does the future hold for HerdTrack’s hardware; are there further developments that farmers can look forward to?

At HerdTrack, innovation is an ongoing process.

Our focus is twofold: to improve existing products and to develop new technology that helps farmers make their daily management simpler, smarter and more efficient.

We are constantly working on expanding our hardware range and integrating new automation solutions that can provide farmers with more useful information about their animals and infrastructure.

The long-term vision for HerdTrack is to build a fully integrated farm management platform where hardware and software work together to support farmers with reliable, real-time information and practical management tools. Farmers can therefore look forward to further innovation and solutions developed with their needs and feedback as our starting point.

~ Compiled by René van der Vyver