ProTag

Based in New Zealand, ProTag offers a complete remote sensing solution for livestock farmers, providing illness detection and location-based insights. The company’s sensors are fitted to the cow’s ear, which then uses machine learning (ML), AI, IoT, and GPS technology to monitor health, location, and behavioral patterns in real time. ProTag sensors also provide early detection of illnesses such as mastitis and lameness (leg and foot pain) using its ML algorithms. The company also takes into account the geographical presence in addition to animal specific data in its data analysis when providing its insights. The sensors are claimed to be low-cost and 100x more power-efficient than other GPS-based devices due to their lightweight and small form factor.

The company aimed to capture the New Zealand market in the short term, with plans to expand internationally in Brazil and Ireland. In New Zealand, ProTag planned to conduct large-scale trials by the end of 2022 and has attracted interest from farmers in Waikato and the South Island.

In February 2022 , ProTag raised NZD 1 million (USD 0.7 million) in a funding round led by Sprout Agritech. The funds would support the product development of ProTag’s sensors and would be used to conduct trials later that year.