In Massachusetts this is also used on humans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Rotenberg_Educational_Ce...
This is the sort of wiki page that guarantees I'll blow my brains out far before I admit myself to an institution.
A smart collar for cows
31–40 of 78 posts
Re: A smart collar for cows
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Cattle have individual personalities. Some like to stay centered within the herd, and some prefer to be hundreds of yards away. When left to find their own way in a large enclosure, my cattle typically form much smaller groups, like 15-20. This might not matter, if a particular pasture can be protected by controlling the herd's general behavior. If we had this system the first thing to do would be to stop all this sh…
> If we had this system the first thing to do would be to stop all this shitting on the road! To not inconvenience drivers and other road users, or to get that precious manure back fertilizing your grass?
Definitely the former, although I suppose the latter would also be an improvement...
Re: A smart collar for cows
#33> Virtual fences keep the cows in designated areas, While the idea of vibrating collars to steer cattle makes me uneasy (what comes next?), I am somewhat hopeful this can address the issue of barbed wire fences. Interestingly, the idea of remotely controlling cattle was discussed several years ago in an article outlining the the issues with fences: https://prairieecologist.com/2015/03/17/hubbard-fellowship-b...
there is no way a vibrating collar will stop a cow in doing what they want to do. Cows are herd animal meaning they fight to establish rank. There is no way 2 cows close to a fence can be stopped from breaching the fence, no matter if it's barbed wire or if the fence carries 20K Volts. They will walk right through it - or better push each other right through it during a fight. Not even an electric shock would stop th…
I can confirm, numerous times I've seen cows grazing or even running with barbed wire and fence posts dragging behind them. When they've decided they want to do something, it's pretty hard to stop them.
Re: A smart collar for cows
#34Suspiciously absent is info on the battery life of these collars. How does one go about changing them? Do you line up 100+ cows every few days and just sit there for a couple of hours changing batteries every time?
Re: A smart collar for cows
#35Suspiciously absent is info on the battery life of these collars. How does one go about changing them? Do you line up 100+ cows every few days and just sit there for a couple of hours changing batteries every time?
They are solar-powered, according to the article and company website.
Re: A smart collar for cows
#36https://smartbjella.no/ and https://elektronikknett.no/Artikkelarkiv/2017/Juni/Storpilot... are a couple of similar examples of using smart collars on live stock.
Re: A smart collar for cows
#37in switzerland we call that a bell. coupled with extremely sensitive sensors we call ears, farmers can find a lost cow far away in the mountain. bonus point: tourists love those so much you can buy smaller models at the airport.
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Re: A smart collar for cows
#38In Massachusetts this is also used on humans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Rotenberg_Educational_Ce...
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Re: A smart collar for cows
#39Suspiciously absent is info on the battery life of these collars. How does one go about changing them? Do you line up 100+ cows every few days and just sit there for a couple of hours changing batteries every time?
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Re: A smart collar for cows
#40in switzerland we call that a bell. coupled with extremely sensitive sensors we call ears, farmers can find a lost cow far away in the mountain. bonus point: tourists love those so much you can buy smaller models at the airport.
What is 'far away' in Switzerland? I'm in Australia and have a small beef farm and there no way a bell could let you know where cows always are. They get into a gully on the other side of your property etc sound wont travel. I only have a small property I run as a side business vs many family farmers on thousands or 10's of thousands of acres. The really big properties get I to millions.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_largest_stations...
Also a bell doesn't stop them getting through a fence and into your neighbours property or heading bush.
A big part of this tech is pasture management. Ideally you want to keep a herd moving so they only eat the top third of pasture and move on. This can help automate that task.
Not least what they mention about real time feedback about cattle health.
I don't doubt bells are useful, but this tech is at another level of helpfulness. It's a smart phone vs yelling difference.
The big question is cost and measurable benifit. Having to mesh wifi a large property won't be cheap (maybe just water points for daily updates?), the cost per collar and how long they last and how this plays into grazing and health benifits will decide how viable this tech is.