A new real time animal tracking system is
attracting interest from livestock owners,
community pastures and research groups, says
Bradley Smith, livestock technology specialist with
Alberta Agriculture.
The project uses active radio frequency
identification, or RFID tags, to transmit a signal to
stationary receiving towers installed in the Pole
Haven community pasture.
The unique animal ID and location is then posted
on Google maps for access by the animal's owner
through a device such as a smartphone, tablet
computer, laptop or desktop computer.
Smith explains that the system allows a producer
to know where their animals are located in real
time without the need to spend extra time on
horseback or all-terrain vehicles checking the
herd.
Such physical checks are still important but the
tracking system allows almost continuous
monitoring and greater peace of mind, Smith
says.
Pole Haven is located just east of Waterton Lakes
National Park in rugged brush-covered country
where predators such as bears and wolves are
often a serious threat to livestock.
If an animal has stopped moving, it can be quickly
located to see if it requires medical attention or
has been the victim of a predator. Early detection
of predator losses increases the likelihood of
receiving government compensation, he notes.
The system also helps producers locate
stragglers during the fall roundup, reducing riding
time and potential losses from missed animals.
The project will continue in 2013 in the same
location. Although the system provided an
acceptable accuracy level for the 2012 grazing
season, Smith says one of the main objectives in
2013 is to improve that accuracy. He predicts
commercial applications could be available as
early as 2014.
The system is suited to areas such as community
pastures where owners can share the technology
costs, or to producers with big herds spread over
large areas of rugged grazing country typical of
the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
A mobile receiver is under development for use
on a saddle horse or ATV. The receiver will
complement the tower system or can be used on
its own at a lower cost.
Producers seeking more information can contact
Smith at bradley.smith@gov.ab.ca or 403-653-
5136.
attracting interest from livestock owners,
community pastures and research groups, says
Bradley Smith, livestock technology specialist with
Alberta Agriculture.
The project uses active radio frequency
identification, or RFID tags, to transmit a signal to
stationary receiving towers installed in the Pole
Haven community pasture.
The unique animal ID and location is then posted
on Google maps for access by the animal's owner
through a device such as a smartphone, tablet
computer, laptop or desktop computer.
Smith explains that the system allows a producer
to know where their animals are located in real
time without the need to spend extra time on
horseback or all-terrain vehicles checking the
herd.
Such physical checks are still important but the
tracking system allows almost continuous
monitoring and greater peace of mind, Smith
says.
Pole Haven is located just east of Waterton Lakes
National Park in rugged brush-covered country
where predators such as bears and wolves are
often a serious threat to livestock.
If an animal has stopped moving, it can be quickly
located to see if it requires medical attention or
has been the victim of a predator. Early detection
of predator losses increases the likelihood of
receiving government compensation, he notes.
The system also helps producers locate
stragglers during the fall roundup, reducing riding
time and potential losses from missed animals.
The project will continue in 2013 in the same
location. Although the system provided an
acceptable accuracy level for the 2012 grazing
season, Smith says one of the main objectives in
2013 is to improve that accuracy. He predicts
commercial applications could be available as
early as 2014.
The system is suited to areas such as community
pastures where owners can share the technology
costs, or to producers with big herds spread over
large areas of rugged grazing country typical of
the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
A mobile receiver is under development for use
on a saddle horse or ATV. The receiver will
complement the tower system or can be used on
its own at a lower cost.
Producers seeking more information can contact
Smith at bradley.smith@gov.ab.ca or 403-653-
5136.
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