Worth its weight

Problem-solving is the raison d’être for all tech companies and for StrongBó Agritech, there was one critical beef-farming problem that needed addressing. Micheál explains: “That was to enable beef farmers to understand the performance of their herds in real time. Before our technology became available, beef farmers needed to wait for months to get performance data because manual systems were not practical for regular use.”
This resulted in a lack of frequent, regular data, as manually weighing cattle – which requires handling animals in a crush – is a risky process, only done when absolutely necessary. StrongBó Agritech’s automatic system changed that. Micheál continues: “The automatic weighing system uses attractants like salt or molasses to get the animals to approach and stay on the weighing platform. The system takes thousands of weight readings and processes the data locally, ensuring highly accurate weight data.”
Measuring and collating accurate weight data provides essential information for farmers, underpinning present and future decisions. StrongBó Agritech, Micheál explains, homed in on five areas where this information would make an impact.

Knowing the weight of a group of beef cattle: Some farmers don’t even use manual systems and instead guess the weight of their livestock. Some farmers can be close with their weight estimates, but that is rare and often leads to inaccuracies.

Average daily gain (ADG): This metric, which indicates how much weight an animal gains per day, is crucial for farmers to know if they are making a profit. With the best data available to farmers, this information can take weeks and even months to determine accurately. By then, significant gains have been lost.

Weighing is time consuming and dangerous: Manually weighing cattle is a burdensome and risky task, requiring significant time and posing dangers to both farmers and animals.

Selling stock at the correct time: When animals reach a certain weight or start to drop in performance (ADG), StrongBó Agritech’s system can detect this within a few days. This allows farmers to decide which animals to send for slaughter and which to keep for further feeding, leading to additional weight gain and higher sale value.

Sustainability: The Auto-Weigher contributes to more sustainable farming by optimising resource use. Accurate weight data helps farmers manage feed more efficiently, reducing waste and improving overall herd health.

Micheál elaborates:. “Once the device is placed within the herd, information can be obtained after just a few hours. After two days, almost all animals in the herd are weighed. This gives a quick and accurate group average, which can be tracked for the benefit of feed and pasture management, optimal timing of sale, and herd valuation.”
Being able to track ADG enables farmers to make decisions based on live data and not information from two or three months ago, and it helps them to identify underperforming animals quickly so they can decide which animals to sell or keep for further feeding.
Micheál adds: “Tying in with that, it allows beef finishers to evaluate individuals on a daily basis and to determine if it is time for slaughter. Every animal stops gaining weight and knowing when this occurs, will save you massively.
“The system is 100 per cent autonomous, and works for years with no maintenance. This means no need for a manual system, and no need to risk running animals through the crush,” he says. And it ticks the sustainability box also, he explains: “Unlike other trade-offs with economic development and the subsequent impact on the environment, beef efficiency is very different. Improvements in this sector have a direct impact on reductions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Global appeal

In the almost 10 years since its conception, StrongBó Agritech has made its mark, globally. With the Auto Weigher’s widespread appeal, the company has made significant inroads in the North American and European markets, where automatic weighing has been well received by large-scale beef-farming operations. “We are also exploring opportunities in other regions with robust livestock industries and a high demand for innovative agricultural solutions,” says Micheál. The US and Canada are prime locations in this regard.

The company’s partnership with Gallagher Animal Management has been key to reaching markets abroad. “Gallagher has extensive access to a global market of beef producers and has served these customers for almost a century. Our small team fits in extremely well with Gallagher, as our agility allows us to make improvements to existing products quickly or create solutions to completely new problems.”

POSITIVE reception

The device been positively received by farmers who ‘appreciate the ease of use, accuracy, and the actionable insights provided by the system’ according to Micheál. “Many have reported significant improvements in herd management, increased productivity, and reduced operational costs,” he says. “Farmers particularly value the real-time data and the ability to make informed decisions without the risks and hassles associated with manual weighing.”
But the journey so far has not been without challenges, he admits: “Some farmers initially expressed scepticism about transitioning from traditional methods to an automated system. Additionally, integrating new technology into existing farm operations required a learning curve. However, once farmers saw the benefits and ease of use, their adoption and satisfaction levels increased significantly.

“Despite the challenges, the strong adoption rate and positive customer feedback have encouraged us to continue innovating and improving our offerings to meet the needs of farmers worldwide,” says Micheál.
Additionally, the environment in which the technology operates is one of the harshest in the world, with machines experiencing up to 23 hours of use per day in large North American feedlots. The challenges are comounded by things like snow, ice, frozen manure, and the physical stresses from 800kg animals," says Micheál.
He adds: “Additionally, the electronics need to function in this environment with low power consumption and reliable cloud connectivity, whether in an indoor barn in Galway or Ontario or remote locations in New Zealand.”

Exciting projects

StrongBó Agritech now has several exciting projects in the pipeline. Micheál elaborates: “We are focused on developing new technologies to provide even more detailed and accurate data on livestock health and performance. Additionally, we are working on integrating advanced AI capabilities to offer predictive analytics, which will help farmers make proactive decisions about herd management.”
The company is also exploring the application of its technology to other types of livestock beyond beef cattle, such as sheep and pigs, to broaden its market reach. “Our goal is to create a comprehensive suite of smart-farming solutions that cover all aspects of agricultural management, from health monitoring to feeding optimisation. Our commitment to sustainability remains at the forefront of our development efforts. We are continually looking for ways to enhance the environmental benefits of our products, ensuring that our technology not only improves farm productivity but also contributes to more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.”

Innovation is key

Agriculture has always evolved and innovated but it is going through a very exciting period right now where serious challenges are being met with serious solutions. Micheál agrees but says that the beef sector has not seen the same level of change as that of other sectors. “Dairy, pork and poultry have been transformed with new tech and processes but despite genetic improvements, the beef industry remains somewhat unchanged when compared to 50 years ago.
“We believe that innovation is the key to unlocking the full potential of farming. Technologies such as Internet of Things, AI, and advanced data analytics are enabling farmers to make more informed decisions, optimise resource use, and improve the health and productivity of their livestock. These innovations are not just about increasing efficiency; they are about creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system."
Michéal continues: “The integration of sustainable practices with technological advancements is particularly exciting. By reducing waste, improving animal welfare, and minimising environmental impact, we can create a farming ecosystem that supports both the farmer and the planet. The development of solar-powered systems, like our Auto-Weigher, is a prime example of how technology can contribute to sustainability.

“Innovation in farming, more than in other industries, requires a significant practical component and unwavering reliability. Beef producers have limited capacity to adopt cumbersome technology, and tight margins can greatly affect early adopters. We recognise this as a major barrier to tech adoption. This is why our partnership with Gallagher is so beneficial. Gallagher’s reputation and experience help break down entry barriers. Overall, the current wave of innovation in agriculture is setting the stage for a more productive, sustainable, and resilient future. We are proud to be part of this movement and are committed to continuing our efforts to drive positive change in the industr,” says Michéal.