While many are still reeling from the invasive privacy measures used by the NSA in its PRISM programme, the UK has launched a similar tracking initiative — but this time aimed at cows.
The aptly named Cow Tracking Project connects individual cattle to the internet in an Internet-of-Things style by fitting GPS devices to each animal and installing sensors around their sheds to monitor movement, rest patterns, and behaviour.
The project’s primary goal is to detect behavioural changes that could indicate disease, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (commonly known as mad cow disease), which research suggests may sometimes spread via airborne transmission.
When infections develop fully, they can cost a farmer around £300 per case; early detection could significantly reduce or even eliminate these losses by enabling earlier intervention.
On the technical side, the Cow Tracking Project plans to provide real-time updates, sending relevant alerts to farmers through text messages and emails relayed over 3G networks.
Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, commented, “Economic success and technological advancement are both essential to addressing major global challenges.”
He added, “This innovative project can contribute to both and builds on Strathclyde’s strong track record of translating ground-breaking research into high-value, high-quality products.”
Beyond disease detection, the system can issue immediate notifications if a cow goes into labour or experiences other forms of distress, giving farmers peace of mind when they are away from the herd.
The initiative brings together seven partners: the University of Strathclyde, Morrisons, the Scottish Agricultural College, Harbro, Well Cow, National Milk Records (NMR), and Embedded Technology Solutions. Funding comes from the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, amounting to more than $2 million.
David Alvis, director of the Technology Strategy Board’s sustainable agriculture and food projects, said, “Addressing animal health and welfare challenges and improving animal performance monitoring are vital pieces of the food security jigsaw.”
He added, “The technologies developed through this project have the potential to benefit farming communities across the UK and internationally, and we wish the partners every success.”
Although the Cow Tracking Project is a straightforward application of the Internet of Things, its simplicity highlights how basic connected technologies can deliver meaningful, practical benefits for agriculture, animal welfare, and farm management.
What do you think about the Cow Tracking Project and the Internet of Things?