Technology has brought surprising advances in many fields, and one of the most notable is the ability to weigh animals simply by using a photo.
This innovation, which is already a reality and recently arrived in Brazil, is increasingly becoming an essential tool in agricultural technology. Agrotechs, companies focused on integrating agriculture with technology, have been tirelessly searching for innovations that can make the daily lives of farmers and ranchers easier.
The Importance of Cattle Weighing:
Weighing cattle is a crucial activity for rural producers. This practice helps control nutrition, treatment, and sale of animals. Traditionally, cattle are weighed 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 has developed an app that exemplifies this new era in 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 a partnership with Santos Lab, a company focused on agronomic services and innovations for agriculture and livestock. The system was adapted for Nelore cattle, a common breed in Brazil, expanding the possibilities for using this technology in the country.
Livestock Weighing and Management Applications and Platforms:
TouchScale
O TouchScale.co is an innovative example of how technology can be used in creative ways. This website, accessible on 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 an object's weight based on the force applied to the screen. This method, while not replacing traditional scales in terms of accuracy and capacity, offers a quick and practical solution for estimating the weight of lightweight items in situations where a scale is unavailable. With a minimalist and easy-to-use design, TouchScale.co demonstrates a unique and innovative application of smartphone technology.
Beefie:
This revolutionary app offers a fast, accurate, and cost-effective way to weigh cattle on your 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 the phone screen and stored in the cloud for later access.
CattleMax:
In addition to weighing, the CattleMax is an advanced platform for efficient livestock farm management. With intuitive features for herd tracking and health records, CattleMax simplifies livestock management, from birth to sale, providing a complete overview of the herd.
FarmRaise:
This innovative platform connects farmers with 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 geographic data analysis 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 into the field, farmers and ranchers have access to resources that increase the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their activities. Photo-based weighing technology, in particular, is a clear example of how innovation can transform traditional practices, making them more efficient and less impactful to animals.