Growing Beef Newsletter
November 2025, Volume 16, Issue 5
Six things to think about before investing in a new precision beef technology
Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU extension beef specialist
The goal of precision technology use in the agricultural industry is to improve efficiency and optimize output. Before you invest in a new technology as a year-end tax write-off, it’s important to think about the true value the product adds to your operation.
- Does it save time? Time is money, and time constraints are the number one reason why things don’t get done as planned. So, how does the new technology make the most out of your limited time? Calving cameras can give you the opportunity to check cows from virtually anywhere and more freedom to leave the farm. Individual animal health monitoring tags are allowing sick calves to be identified and treated 2-3 days earlier than when the animal starts to show clinical signs in the feedyard. On the cow-calf side, these monitoring tags are gaining popularity due to monitoring estrus expression resulting in improved timing for artificial insemination and ultimately better pregnancy rates. In some cases, these tags can even send you an alert when cows are out or help you locate them if one has gone missing. Keep in mind that a new technology likely comes with a learning curve, installation expenses, continued maintenance, and maybe even subscription fees, so don’t forget to factor these expenses into the return on investment considerations.
- Does it help streamline the data analysis process or better utilize existing resources? Again, labor constraints are often the primary reason why producers consider implementing a new technology, so ask yourself, will this investment help me collect and utilize the data better or improve efficiency on current resources? A good feedlot management software system can provide daily feeding reports, ration changes, and can generate a closeout and an invoice within minutes. Advances in temporary and virtual fencing technologies allow for improved facilitation of rotational grazing systems and targeted grazing areas, ultimately improving forage utilization efficiency.
- Does it help minimize mistakes? Ever get a phone call in the middle of mixing a batch of feed and forget what ingredients you’ve added already? Regardless of how careful we are, human error is bound to happen. Tools like a feed management software can keep you on track with batch mixes. Implementing EIDs placed at birth and a record keeping app can reduce the handwritten notes. EID readers can also interact with a scale head to record weights at weaning or processing. Combined, these efforts can help streamline recording keeping efforts and help with individual animal traceability and lifetime productivity records.
- Will it still be applicable in 3-5 years? For better or for worse, we live in a fast-paced world which means that even the top end of technologies purchased today may be considered average quality in 3-5 years. Will you have to update your iPhone every few years to continue using the platform? If you get a new computer, will the software be transferable? Ask questions and find out how the company you’re considering working with will handle software updates and warranties as well as how they will combat challenges as technology improves.
- What’s needed to implement the technology? Lot of rural areas are lacking in cell phone reception or sufficient broadband, yet many technologies require these to send data to and from the base station. Some systems offer alternatives to cell power tower use such as satellite options. However, these may require cattle to be within a certain area to send and receive data, so data might lag behind real time. Be sure you know what a technology needs or uses to share data before investing.
- Can you add to it later? Often, beef producers opt to start small when trying something new, especially with the high initial investment cost of many precision technologies. As you learn to utilize your new feedlot management system or virtual fencing collars, can you add additional animals to the same system in the future, and if so, at what cost? Consider whether tags can be transferred from one group to the next, or if additional base stations will be needed to support additional animals.
Precision technology has the potential to be a game changer in the beef industry by reducing labor inputs, improving data-based decisions, streamlining the reporting process, and enhancing enterprise efficiency. However, successful adoption requires thoughtful planning and dedication to data entry and management of the system. Before making the investment, take the time to evaluate your needs, resources, and management capacity to make sure you’re truly adding value to your operation.
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