Something new and unusual is happening here and there across Latin America’s farms and pastures. A wave of start-up companies is using technology in surprising new ways to innovate in what is a traditional and centuries-old industry. The examples are varied.
Introduction
In Uruguay, Agromote is attaching mobile sensors to the hides of cows and bulls. They transmit real time data on the animals’ movements during the mating and calving season, which gives early warning of any health problems, and allows intervention to improve birth weight and health. Appropriately, the start-up has called its programme Sistema MU. In Brazil, Bovcontrol, another start-up, uses data in the cloud, implanted chips, mobile communication, and analysis to improve performance on meat, milk, and genetics production. It is also used for certification of origin and herd and inventory control.