Know where every animal is, how it’s moving, and whether it’s healthy — all from your phone. Our cattle ear tags combine GPS positioning, RFID identification, and real-time health monitoring in a single 14g device. Each tag continuously measures activity, body temperature (±0.1°C), and location, transmitting data every 20 minutes via a BLE smart gateway to a cloud platform you can access anywhere. The system auto-completes a full herd headcount in seconds, flags animals with fever or lameness before visible symptoms appear, and detects estrus activity spikes for precisely timed AI breeding. With a 3-year battery and IP67 waterproof construction, these tags work reliably across extensive pastures, dairy barns, and feedlot environments.
Why Choose These GPS & RFID Ear Tags
Short Benefits
- Auto headcount in seconds — complete inventory across all paddocks without manual counting
- Real-time health alerts — detect fever, lameness, or intake drops 24–48 hours before visible signs
- Heat detection — activity spikes trigger estrus alerts for optimal AI timing
- 3-year battery life with IP67 waterproof construction for all-weather reliability
- Custom gateway network design — we map your property and recommend optimal gateway placement
Suitable For
Dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, and extensive grazing operations.
Get a Tailored Livestock Equipment Solution
Tell us your farm size, layout, and requirements — we’ll recommend the most efficient setup for your operation.
What Are GPS & RFID Cattle Ear Tags?
GPS and RFID cattle ear tags are precision livestock monitoring devices that replace visual observation with continuous digital data. The system has three parts: a lightweight ear tag worn by each animal, a network of BLE smart gateways installed around the property, and a cloud platform accessible from any device. Each tag records activity levels via a 3D accelerometer, core body temperature via a precision thermistor, and zone location via gateway proximity — transmitting readings every 20 minutes. The platform processes this data to automate daily tasks: counting the herd in seconds, flagging a cow with a fever spike, or alerting you when an animal’s activity pattern indicates estrus. This technology helps dairy, beef, and sheep operations reduce labor, detect illness earlier, and make data-driven breeding decisions.
How It Works
Remote Access: Open the app or web dashboard to see all tagged animals on a map, run an automatic headcount, check individual health status, and review 7-day trends — from anywhere with internet.
Tag Application: The 14g ear tag is applied using a standard applicator, just like a visual ID tag. Each tag has a unique ID linked to that animal’s records.
Continuous Monitoring: Internal sensors measure activity (movement/steps), body temperature, and proximity to gateways every 20 minutes. The tag transmits via Bluetooth Low Energy to the nearest gateway.
Gateway Data Relay: Gateways positioned around the property receive signals from all tags within a 200-meter radius. Each gateway handles up to 1,000 tags and uploads aggregated data to the cloud via 4G.
Cloud Processing & Alerts: The platform analyzes incoming data against each animal’s individual baseline. When a cow spikes a fever, drops activity, or shows the characteristic movement surge of estrus, an instant alert is sent to your phone.
Application Scenarios
- Dairy Herds: Detect estrus automatically and time AI without visual observation. Monitor fresh cows for early signs of metritis or ketosis.
- Beef Cow-Calf Operations: Locate cows and calves across extensive brushy or hilly pastures. Receive alerts when a cow isolates herself — a key sign of calving.
- Sheep Flocks: Count sheep remotely across large paddocks. Detect predation events or fence breaches when animals suddenly scatter.
- Research & Breeding Programs: Track individual activity and temperature trends for nutritional, genetic, or welfare studies with continuous data.
Technical Specifications
| Component | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Ear Tag | Communication | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| Sensors | 3D Accelerometer, Precision Thermistor | |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.1°C | |
| Reporting Interval | Every 20 Minutes | |
| Battery Life | 3 Years | |
| Weight | 14 g | |
| Ingress Protection | IP67 (Dust-tight & Water Immersion) | |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to +60°C | |
| BLE Smart Gateway | Upstream Communication | 4G Cellular |
| Tag Capacity | Up to 1,000 Tags | |
| Range | 200m Radius (Open Area) | |
| Power | Mains + Battery Backup (Dual Mode) | |
| Ingress Protection | IP65 | |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +70°C | |
| Cloud Platform | Access | Web Browser + Mobile App (iOS/Android) |
| Core Features | Real-Time Location Map, Auto Headcount, Health Alerts, Heat Detection, Historical Data |
GPS Ear Tags vs Traditional Herd Management
| Feature | Traditional Visual Monitoring | These GPS & RFID Cattle Ear Tags |
|---|---|---|
| Herd Headcount | Hours of manual counting, prone to error | Automatic in seconds, 100% accurate |
| Sick Animal Detection | Visual — often 1–2 days after onset | Temperature and activity alerts 24–48 hours before visible signs |
| Heat Detection | Visual observation or expensive sync protocols | Automatic activity spike alerts for precise AI timing |
| Animal Location | Must physically search paddocks | Real-time zone map on phone or computer |
| Data Storage | Memory or paper records, easily lost | Cloud-based, accessible anywhere, never lost |
| Labor Requirement | High — hours daily for counts and observation | Low — system monitors continuously, alerts only when action needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the system detect when a cow is in heat?
Cows in estrus show a characteristic spike in daily activity — often 2–3 times their normal movement. The system tracks each animal’s individual 7-day rolling average and sends a high-activity alert when a cow’s movement exceeds her own baseline significantly. This enables precisely timed AI breeding without relying on visual observation or expensive synchronization protocols.
What is the battery life of the ear tags, and can they be recharged?
Each tag has a 3-year battery life under normal operating conditions. The tags are sealed units and are not rechargeable. When the battery is depleted, the tag is simply replaced with a new one using a standard ear tag applicator — no special tools required.
How many gateways do I need for my property?
A single gateway covers approximately a 200-meter radius in open terrain. Buildings, hills, and dense tree lines reduce effective range, so larger or more varied properties may need additional gateways for complete coverage. We provide a free network design consultation — share your property dimensions or a satellite map, and we’ll recommend the optimal number of gateways and their best placement.
Can these ear tags be used for sheep and goats?
Yes. At just 14g, the tag is lightweight enough for sheep and goats. The gateway network and cloud platform work identically across species. The system is suitable for all ages and breeds of cattle, sheep, and goats.
What happens if the 4G signal is weak on my property?
The gateway requires a 4G signal to upload data. If signal is weak at the proposed gateway location, we can explore using an external high-gain antenna or moving the gateway to a higher elevation such as a barn roof or hilltop. We recommend checking signal strength at planned gateway sites during the planning phase.
How accurate is the location tracking?
The system uses gateway proximity rather than power-hungry GPS chips on each tag. The platform shows which gateway the animal is nearest to, providing accurate zone-level location — for example, Cow #4587 is in the North Pasture near the water trough. This approach extends tag battery life to 3 years compared to satellite GPS tags that require frequent recharging.
Related Livestock Equipment
- For complete breeding management: When a GPS ear tag triggers a heat alert, confirm pregnancy status immediately with a portable cattle ultrasound scanner. See Portable Ultrasound Scanners →
- For individual feed efficiency data: Pair ear tag health and activity logs with an automatic FCR monitoring system to identify which bloodlines stay healthy and gain weight fastest. Browse FCR Monitoring Systems →
- For a complete dairy setup: A custom parallel milking parlor can sort cows flagged by ear tag health alerts for inline checkups during the milking shift. Explore Milking Parlor Configurations →
- For consistent herd hydration: A heated livestock water trough ensures water intake that complements the health data collected by ear tags — particularly during winter months. View Heated Water Trough Options →
- For hands-free health checks: When an ear tag alert requires attention, self-locking cattle headlocks let you secure and treat the specific animal at the bunk without disturbing the rest of the herd. View Custom Headlock Options →
Related Case Studies
- On a 3,000-head mixed ranch in Argentina, GPS ear tags combined with a portable ultrasound scanner enabled the manager to locate cattle across thousands of hectares from a tablet while tightening calving and foaling windows. Read the full case study →
- A 60-horse boarding facility in Finland deployed GPS ear tags on valuable broodmares, allowing the owner to monitor turnout activity and hydration remotely during the dark Nordic winter. Read the full case study →
- A 3,000-head beef operation in Queensland, Australia, combined GPS ear tags with self-locking headlocks and an FCR monitoring system — identifying top-performing bloodlines through integrated data. Read the full case study →
About Us
- Experience: 10 years of livestock equipment manufacturing since 2016, with a 5,000m² production facility and 8 dedicated production lines.
- Quality Standards: Our electronic components are tested for reliability in farm conditions — from -30°C winters to +60°C summers. IP67 waterproofing ensures tags survive complete submersion.
- Customization: We tailor gateway quantity, placement, and tag count to your specific property size, herd size, and species mix — with a free network design included.
- Support: Every order includes network design drawings, installation guides, and pre-shipment verification media. Remote setup guidance, platform training, and spare tag and gateway sourcing included.