Glacier FarmMedia – Imagine as a livestock producer, whether of beef, dairy or hogs, and being able to get a daily read on animal weights just by checking your cellphone or tablet.
You could track whether animals are maintaining their body condition, the average daily gain of a pen of steers or how many pigs have reached market weight.
Well, that’s not just wishful thinking. ClicRtechnologies, a Florida-based precision ag company, is now offering this reality in the U.S. and plans to expand into Canada. As creators of 3D-imaging technology supported by advanced vision software, they aim to replace traditional livestock weigh scales with artificial intelligence and machine learning.
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Why it matters: 3D-imaging technology offers livestock producers the ability to prioritize data and make changes in their management systems.
The idea blossomed in the mind of Joseph Spicola Sr., a former rancher, inventor and now CEO of ClicRtechnologies, when he became frustrated with the process of weighing cattle on his ranch.
“Getting cattle to the scales bothered me,” Spicola says. “Things would break down, need to be fixed, and often there was a shortage of cowboys to do the job. I knew there must be a better way, but I couldn’t find a solution. Then, I had a bit of a vision and thought maybe I could use pictures instead.”
Spicola and his team devised three weight solutions comprised of 3D-image cameras, RFID readers, computer software and an algorithm created with artificial intelligence and machine learning. Real-time weights are delivered through a cloud-based web server to a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Scaleless weighing solutions are available for cattle and hogs. Bovine and swine options feature a 3D-image camera and computer installed at a water source. Early in their life, each animal is outfitted with an RFID ear tag. Each time they drink, an RFID reader identifies individuals from ear tags while the camera unobtrusively captures between 100 and 200 images of each animal. With up to 500 pictures taken during a 24-hour cycle, an algorithm calculates a weight and uploads it to the cloud where it can be accessed along with an inventory, average daily gains (ADGs) and other performance markers.
“Weights, average daily gains and photos are all in the palm of your hand, 24/7, 365 days a year. Plus, with continuous improvement, our technology has been trained to not only weigh an animal but to recognize distinct breeds by interpreting a detailed user-generated profile,” says global sales manager Sergio Monge.
The technology counts the times they drink, tracks gain and recognizes a pre-programmed ‘sweet spot’ for finishing. When the desired target is reached, the system activates equipment that marks the animal with paint. It can even be manipulated to deliver exact amounts of topically applied parasitic treatment based on individual weights.”
The company says the hardware is tested and protected against condensation and cold temperatures, as the internal components create their own heat, keeping them operating seamlessly in all climates. The algorithm coding is also tuned to understand behaviour in response to the environment, helping to maintain its accuracy.
Monge says producers too often today need to make management decisions on limited information. But, with ClicR, they have real-time data. Feed rations can be altered, livestock not performing well can be removed from a pen, or finished animals can be easily identified and sorted for market.
“With real-time key performance indicators of cattle or swine, savings are realized in reduced feed waste, by preventing marketing of over- or undersized carcasses, and by recognizing sickness in those not drinking as they should,” Monge says.
ClicRtechnologies is expanding its sales and service into Canada and hopes to soon begin placing the technology in Canadian operations. It has begun a working association with a prominent Canadian swine genetics company to improve breeding management practices and add depth and robustness to the algorithm.
More measurements are coming. Soon, the company will add a body conditioning score application for dairy and cow-calf operators, along with lameness prediction abilities for cattle and hogs.
