Technology has brought surprising advances in several fields, and one of the most notable is the ability to weigh animals just by using a photo.
This innovation, which is already a reality and recently arrived in Brazil, is increasingly becoming an essential tool in field technology. Agrotechs, companies focused on integrating agriculture with technology, have tirelessly searched for innovations that can make the daily lives of farmers and ranchers easier.
The Importance of Weighing Cattle:
Weighing cattle is a crucial activity for rural producers. This practice helps control the nutrition, treatment and sale of animals. Traditionally, weighing livestock is done using scales, a process that can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful for the animals.
However, with the arrival of new technologies, this task has become more practical and efficient.
Photo Weighing Technology:
Hungarian startup Agroninja developed an application that exemplifies this new era of livestock farming. Its system uses an optical sensor and a special algorithm to calculate the animal's weight from a photo taken from a specific angle. The recommended distance for photography is 4 to 6 meters from the animal.
The app is capable of taking multiple photos to determine the most accurate weight, regardless of the animal's movement.
In 2023, this technology arrived in Brazil thanks to the partnership with Santos Lab, a company focused on agronomic services and innovations for agriculture and livestock. The system was adapted for Nelore cattle, common in Brazil, expanding the possibilities of using this technology in the country.
Weighing and Livestock Management Applications and Platforms:
TouchScale
O TouchScale.co is an innovative example of how technology can be used in creative ways. This site, accessible via iPhones with 3D Touch technology, allows users to weigh small, lightweight objects by placing them directly on the phone's screen.
Using the screen's ability to detect different levels of pressure, TouchScale.co estimates the weight of the object based on the force applied to the screen. This method, although it does not replace traditional scales in accuracy and capacity, offers a quick and practical solution for estimating the weight of light items in situations where a scale is not available. With a minimalist, easy-to-use design, TouchScale.co demonstrates a unique and innovative application of smartphone technology.
Beefie:
This revolutionary app offers a fast, accurate and economical way to weigh cattle on your cell phone, using just a photo.
The process is simple: the user downloads the app, creates an account, calibrates the optical sensor and takes a photo of the animal.
The app analyzes the image and automatically calculates the animal's weight, with the results available almost instantly on your cell phone screen and stored in the cloud for later access.
CattleMax:
In addition to weighing, the CattleMax is an advanced platform for the efficient management of livestock farms. With intuitive features for herd tracking and health records, the CattleMax simplifies cattle management, from birth to sale, providing a complete view of the herd.
FarmRaise:
This innovative platform connects farmers to sustainable financing, facilitating partnerships between producers and investors. FarmRaise is an essential tool for promoting responsible and sustainable agricultural practices.
EOS:
Leader in solutions geospatial, The EOS offers advanced analysis of geographic data, using technologies such as remote sensing and image analysis. These solutions are vital for sectors such as agriculture, mining and environmental monitoring.
These tools and platforms represent a major advance in livestock and agricultural management. With the integration of technology in the field, farmers and ranchers have resources at their disposal that increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their activities. Photo weighing technology, in particular, is a clear example of how innovation can transform traditional practices, making them more efficient and less impactful on animals.