Cattle ID start-up Stoktake uses photos of cows to combat theft

A Melbourne start-up is rebooting cattle identification via a social media platform where pictures of cows replace the need for ear tags.

Z Ware has developed a social media-like platform for cows in a bid to curb cattle rustling. Chief executive Phillip Zada says the photo verification system is a more humane way than ear tagging.

An Australian start-up has built a social media for cattle which will use photos of the animal’s face to combat stock theft.

Z Ware has developed a platform called Stoktake which it says will provide a more humane way of registering and identifying cattle that can’t be removed in a way which hurts the animal.

“It’s basically bringing cattle identification and management process into a new age. Currently we have a few mechanisms like the RFID chip and ear tags, but each of those can be easily compromised if somebody steals cattle and cuts out the RFID tags,” said chief executive Phillip Zada.

Dr Zada said Stoktake had run tests on 500 cattle images and had shown to have an effective rate of 99.4 per cent..

Images from the mobile app.

Stoktake, which has been tested on several farms, is set to run a pilot this month where it will look to onboard as many farmers and cattle as possible.

“The idea is that it effectively becomes a service. The purpose of the application is to connect farmers to each other and to veterinary services,” Dr Zada said.

“There’s going to be multiple applications of the technology from day-to-day farm management as well as saleyards verification.

“Another avenue is the rural crime division of NSW police. Police or rangers could identify stolen or lost cattle and contact the farmer.”

The business would also look to scale by developing integration with veterinary and other health services as well as later develop a national register of cattle.

Dr Zada said there is substantial cost to keep and maintain an eartags.

“With a photo its easy. We’re looking to become a subscription-based service charging per head of cattle,” he said.

Cows on the Stoktake platform.

Estimates from PwC predict more than 28,000 cattle are stolen annually. With an average price of $3700 per cattle, the issue of theft is understood to cost over $105m per year.

A University of New England report found 44 per cent of farmers had reported stolen livestock in 2020.

Originally published as Cattle ID start-up Stoktake uses photos of cows to combat theft