Facilities & Equipment

The last 10 years have not been so kind to the beef industry. It is facing a triple threat: the trend toward leaner white meats such as chicken and fish, consumer movements like “Meatless Mondays” and even lab-grown meats.

Cold temperatures and frozen ground create challenges for fencing. Cold weather is hard on machinery (hard to start the tractor, skid steer or excavator the post pounder is mounted on), and frozen ground makes it difficult to set posts.

Technology and equipment from companies such as GrowSafe Systems and SmartFeed are changing animal selection and herd management for seedstock and commercial producers alike.

Cattle producers, are you looking for ways to use your time more effectively? The solution may be already in your hand, shirt pocket or belt holster. The rise of smartphone technology in the last 10 years has been revolutionary.

Imagine being able to scan a barcode on a package of steaks at the grocery store and access indisputable data for the entire life cycle of the animal – from conception to change in ownership, vaccines and processing.

The use of game cameras in a cattle operation is not a new idea. Many producers have implemented some type of camera system to monitor their herd, check for predators or to cut down on time spent driving around checking fence. Most would agree a camera system is a useful tool, but pictures are just the beginning.