Technology has brought surprising advances in various fields, and one of the most notable is the ability to weigh animals using only a photograph.
This innovation, which is already a reality and has recently arrived in Brazil, is becoming an increasingly essential tool in agricultural technology. Agrotech companies, focused on integrating agriculture with technology, have been tirelessly seeking innovations that can facilitate the daily lives of farmers and ranchers.
The Importance of Weighing Cattle:
Weighing livestock is a crucial activity for rural producers. This practice helps in controlling nutrition, treatment, and the 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:
The Hungarian startup Agroninja has developed an app 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 at a specific angle. The recommended distance for the photograph 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, common in Brazil, expanding the possibilities for using this technology in the country.
Applications and Platforms for Weighing and Livestock Management:
TouchScale
O TouchScale.co This is an innovative example of how technology can be used in creative ways. This website, accessible via iPhones with 3D Touch technology, allows users to weigh small, light objects by placing them directly on the phone's screen.
Utilizing the screen's ability to detect different levels of pressure, TouchScale.co estimates the weight of an object based on the force applied to the screen. This method, while not replacing traditional scales in accuracy and capacity, offers a quick and practical solution for estimating the weight of lightweight items in situations where a scale is not available. With a minimalist and user-friendly 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 using your mobile phone, with just a photo.
The process is simple: the user downloads the app, creates an account, calibrates the optical sensor, and takes a picture 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 It is an advanced platform for the efficient management of livestock farms. With intuitive features for herd tracking and health records, the CattleMax It simplifies livestock management, from birth to sale, providing a complete overview 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 It 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 advancement in livestock and agricultural management. With the integration of technology in the field, farmers and ranchers have access to resources 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.