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Livestock farming is experiencing a true technological revolution, and this has a lot to do with the use of applications that improve livestock management.
Innovation in the field is no longer limited to machines and tractors, but is also in the hands of producers—literally!
A recent example of this is the use of Applications that allow you to weigh cattle with your cell phoneYes, you read that right.
Nowadays, with just a photo, it is possible to estimate the weight of animals without the need for physical scales.
The Importance of Weighing Animals
Weighing cattle has always been an essential task in livestock farming.
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Knowing an animal's correct weight helps you make important decisions, such as timing the sale, adjusting feed, and even monitoring herd health.
However, this task can be complicated and stressful, both for the producer and the animals.
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Traditional Challenges of Weighing
Those who work in livestock farming know that weighing cattle often requires time, physical effort, and expensive resources.
In addition, transporting animals to mechanical scales can cause stress, which directly affects productivity.
These challenges lead many producers to not weigh their animals as frequently as they should, compromising farm efficiency.
The Technological Solution: Weighing Applications
Now imagine being able to Weigh your herd simply with a cell phone, without the need for a scale or expensive equipment.
This is possible thanks to innovative applications that use advanced technology such as photogrammetry and artificial intelligence.
These applications have been developed to simplify the daily life of livestock farmers, providing a practical and low-cost solution for monitoring livestock weight.
How Does Technology Work?
Photogrammetry: Weighing Animals with a Photo
The basic principle behind these applications is the photogrammetry, a technique that allows you to measure dimensions from photos.
Using the cell phone's camera, the producer takes a photo of the animal, and based on sophisticated algorithms, the app estimates the animal's weight by analyzing the proportions and angles captured in the image.
It's not magic, it's applied science at your fingertips!
Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms for Estimating Weight
In addition to photogrammetry, many applications feature artificial intelligence (AI).
AI helps refine weight estimates by learning from vast amounts of data, making the process increasingly accurate.
With each new photo and measurement, the algorithms become “smarter,” providing the producer with increasingly reliable estimates.
Integration with Sensors and Scales
Some apps also offer integration with sensors which can be placed on animals, further increasing the accuracy of measurements.
These sensors collect data such as body temperature and movement patterns, which can also influence weight calculations.
There are also apps that connect directly to electronic scales, ensuring accurate measurements without any manual work.
Benefits for the Producer
Increased Productivity
With the ease of weighing animals effortlessly, the producer can do so more frequently, improving herd monitoring.
By increasing the frequency of weight monitoring, farm productivity It also grows, as faster and more accurate decisions are made.
Improved Herd Management
In addition to facilitating weighing, these applications allow the producer to keep a record of each animal, such as weight over time, health events, among other data.
This results in a more organized and efficient management.
Cost Reduction
As the process becomes more agile and does not require transportation or physical structures, the operating cost is drastically reduced.
Additionally, by being able to monitor weight more accurately, producers avoid waste and optimize animal feeding, another factor that contributes to cost reduction.
More Precise Decision Making
With detailed and accurate information on the weight of the cattle, the producer has tools to make better-informed decisions.
From feeding to the best time to market livestock, everything is easier with data at hand.
Individualized Tracking
The applications also allow the individualized tracking of animals, something essential for modern livestock farming.
This way, the producer can monitor each animal's performance, identify health problems, and even optimize reproduction based on weight and other characteristics.
Essential Features of a Good App
Accuracy and Reliability
The precision is undoubtedly the most important factor when choosing a weighing application.
The best applications feature AI and advanced algorithms capable of providing measurements very close to those obtained with traditional methods.
Ease of Use
Another crucial aspect is the ease of useThe application should be intuitive, with an interface that any producer can navigate, regardless of their familiarity with the technology.
Species Diversity
The applications that support several species They are an excellent option, since many producers work with different types of livestock.
Some applications are adjustable for horses, pigs and even birds.
Integration with Other Systems
The integration with other systems Livestock management is an additional advantage. This allows all herd information to be centralized, facilitating data analysis.
Data Security
Finally, the information security must be guaranteed. After all, herd data is strategic and must be stored and transmitted securely.
Practical Applications
Growth Control
Monitoring weight over time allows the producer to make a more precise growth control, which helps identify animals that are not developing as expected.
Health Monitoring
Regular weighings also help to detect health problemsAn unexpected weight loss, for example, can be an indication of illness.
Feed Optimization
Knowing the exact weight of the animals allows the diet to be adjusted according to specific needs, resulting in a power optimization.
Genetic Evaluation
This data can be used for evaluate genetics of the herd and make more informed decisions about reproduction.
Marketing
With the updated weight, the producer has a more accurate evaluation for marketing, which can result in better negotiations.
What do users say?
Users have reported positive experiences with weighing applications, highlighting the ease of use, accuracy, and positive impact on herd management.
Examples of Evaluations:
- “AgroApp changed the way I care for my livestock. It's very easy to use, and the estimates are pretty accurate.”
- “I've been using Animal Weight for six months, and the app has helped me save a lot of time when weighing. Highly recommended!”
- “Smart Farm integrates well with my other management systems. Excellent for those who want everything centralized.”
Conclusion: Technology at the Service of Livestock
The modernization of livestock farming continues to advance, and the weighing applications are proof of this.
They make life easier for producers, providing a practical and efficient solution to one of the oldest challenges in the sector.
With technology at their fingertips, producers can increase productivity, reduce costs, and optimize herd management in a simple and efficient way.
If you haven't tried these solutions yet, it's worth doing so!
Download the apps here:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does photogrammetry weighing technology work?
Photogrammetry is a technique that allows an animal's weight to be estimated from a photograph. Using a cell phone camera, the producer takes a photo of the cattle, and the app analyzes the animal's body proportions to accurately calculate its weight.
2. Is it necessary to have a physical scale to use the app?
No, the advantage of these apps is that you don't need a physical scale. Using just your phone's camera and photogrammetry technology, you can get accurate estimates of your livestock's weight.
3. Does the app work for different animal species?
Yes, many weighing apps allow you to adjust the algorithms for different types of livestock, such as cows, pigs, horses, and even poultry.
4. How accurate are the measurements?
Measurements may vary slightly, but most apps use artificial intelligence to improve accuracy with each use. Overall, estimates are fairly close to traditional weighing methods.
5. Is the information stored in the application secure?
Yes, the apps have security measures in place to protect user and livestock data, ensuring that information is well-protected.