Your CERES TAG devices are activated, your cattle are transmitting data, and now you have access to a valuable new source of information about your herd.
But knowing where to start, what to look for and how to turn that information into practical management decisions is where the real value lies.
The CERES TAG platform provides insights into individual animal location, behaviour and reproduction, helping you build a better understanding of what's happening across your herd. Rather than trying to analyse everything at once, we recommend starting with three key areas.
Location data gives you greater visibility of where individual animals are moving across your property and how their movements change over time.
What to look for:
How to use this information:
Location insights can help you better understand how your cattle are using available pasture and identify movement patterns across your property.
For example, you might notice certain animals consistently spending time in particular areas, or identify changes in movement that warrant further investigation.
Location information can also provide an additional layer of visibility when investigating missing animals, potential boundary breaches or unusual movements.
Start by asking: Are my cattle moving where I expect them to, and have any individual animals changed their usual movement patterns?
Every animal has its own behavioural patterns. Understanding how cattle spend their time can provide valuable insights into their daily activity and help identify changes that may otherwise go unnoticed.
CERES TAG provides insights into activities including grazing, resting, ruminating, walking and drinking.
What to look for:
How to use this information:
Behaviour data can help you establish what is normal for individual animals, making it easier to recognise when something changes.
For example, a noticeable reduction in grazing or rumination compared with an animal's usual pattern may warrant a closer look. Changes in activity or resting behaviour can also help identify animals that may need attention.
Rather than relying solely on visual observations during routine yard or paddock checks, behavioural insights provide another set of eyes on your herd.
Importantly, changes in behaviour are indicators to investigate, not diagnoses. Consider the animal's overall condition, environment and other available information when deciding whether further assessment is needed.
Start by asking: Are my cattle following their usual daily routines, and which animals are showing changes in activity?
Reproductive performance has a direct impact on herd productivity and profitability. CERES TAG reproductive insights can help you better understand activity patterns and identify opportunities to make more informed breeding management decisions.
What to look for:
How to use this information:
Reproductive insights can help bring greater visibility to activity that may be difficult to observe through conventional visual monitoring alone.
For example, identifying oestrus-related activity can help inform breeding and insemination decisions. Recognising return-to-oestrus patterns may also help flag animals that could benefit from further investigation.
When viewed across a group of animals, reproductive data can help you identify broader patterns and understand how activity is progressing throughout the breeding season.
These insights are designed to support your existing reproductive management practices, providing additional information to help guide decision-making.
Start by asking: Which animals are showing reproductive activity, and are there any patterns or changes I should investigate?
The real value of CERES TAG isn't just knowing where your cattle are or what they're doing. It's using that information to make more informed decisions about how you manage them.
Here are a few simple ways to get started:
1. Establish a baseline
Spend some time familiarising yourself with your animals' usual location and behavioural patterns. Understanding what is normal makes it easier to recognise when something changes.
2. Focus on individual animals
Look beyond herd averages. Individual animal insights can help you identify differences that may otherwise be overlooked.
3. Look for changes over time
One data point rarely tells the whole story. Look for patterns, trends and changes across multiple days to build a more complete picture.
4. Investigate what stands out
If an animal is behaving differently, moving unexpectedly or showing reproductive activity, use the information as a starting point for further investigation.
5. Apply what you learn
Combine CERES TAG insights with your existing knowledge of the property, cattle and management practices. The goal is to make better-informed decisions, not to replace the experience and judgement you already bring to your operation.
Getting started with a new technology platform takes time. The best approach is to start with one question, explore the relevant data and gradually build your understanding of what the insights can tell you.
Whether you're looking to better understand pasture utilisation, identify changes in animal behaviour, improve reproductive management or gain greater visibility of cattle movements, CERES TAG gives you another source of information to work with.
Need a hand? Our team is here to help you navigate the platform, understand your insights and get more value from your CERES TAG devices.
CERES TAG. Now. You Know.