Quantified Ag Looks Out
for Animal Health
farm406
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o one wants their animals to be sick. Effective
caretakers watch for symptoms of illness so that affected
animals can be treated as quickly as possible, saving
money, time and animal life.
Now, two computer experts and one well-educated
cattleman are on the leading edge of major innovations
for identifying sick animals early, but also more precise
and judicious use of drugs and antimicrobials, and likely a
whole lot more.
As a newcomer to the cattle industry, Vishal Singh's
perspective on identifying illness was different from
the norm. Singh, a technology expert at the University
of Nebraska, Lincoln, initially aimed to use drones for
detecting sick animals. Drawbacks included knowing on
the ground which animals were identified from the air,
and the reality that drones scare animals.
Singh shifted attention to ear tags; with cattle and
handlers already accustomed to them, he imagined piggy-
backing technology on the existing system.
by Meryl Rygg McKenna
N
Vishal Singh is founder
and chief executive
officer of the startup.
Quantified Ag.
Using a receiver about the size of a sheet of paper, as many as
62,000 cattle spread across 2 miles can be electronically tracked
and analyzed for even the most subdued signs of illness. What
happens if an animal is sick? The green LED light on the tag
switches on.
