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Your cows are out grazing, but part of the herd is out of sight. You follow your usual route, check around the watering point and walk around the next hillside. Sometimes you find them quickly. Other times, the search takes hours.
GPS tracking for cows gives you a specific place to start looking. You open the app on your phone and see the last reported location of the animal wearing a tracker. This helps you decide where to go and respond when something seems out of the ordinary.
How does GPS tracking for cows work?
A GPS tracker is attached to the animal using a suitable collar. The device determines its location using satellite signals and sends it to a platform. Models with cellular connectivity transmit the data over a mobile network. You can then see the location on a map in the app.
There is an important distinction: GPS signals and mobile network signals serve different purposes. The device can determine its coordinates, but it needs a data connection to send them to your phone.
Checking when the last location was sent is just as important as checking the point on the map. If there is a longer interval between updates, the animal may already have moved.
How does GPS tracking for cows help with everyday work?
Less time spent searching
When pastures are large, uneven or separated by woodland, having a location on the map can shorten your search. You can see the last received position and focus your checks on that area.
The time saved depends on the terrain, distances and how you organise your work. The most useful comparison is with your own routine: how often you search for animals and how long it takes.
Alerts when an animal leaves a defined area
With a system that supports geofencing, you draw an area on the map and set up alerts for when an animal leaves it. This can let you know when an animal moves away from its designated pasture.
This virtual boundary is a monitoring tool. It does not physically stop the cow or replace a fence. Whether and when you receive an alert depends on location updates, connectivity and system settings.
Reviewing movement history
Location history helps you see where an animal has travelled and which places it visits. This can be useful when checking routes between the pasture, watering points and resting areas.
A change in normal movement may be a reason to check the animal in person. However, GPS locations alone cannot reliably identify illness, injury or imminent calving.
Does every cow need a GPS device?
It depends on what you want to monitor. If you fit trackers to a few animals, you will receive the locations of those specific animals. This may give you an indication of where the group is while it stays together.
If a cow without a tracker separates from the herd, you will not see its individual location. For individual tracking, each animal you want to monitor needs its own tracker.
The number of devices should reflect the herd’s behaviour, the number of separate groups and the risk of animals straying.
How do you choose a GPS tracker for cows?
Before buying, clarify a few practical points:
- Pasture coverage. Check whether data can be transmitted from the places where your animals actually roam. An on-site test is particularly useful in challenging terrain.
- Update frequency. More frequent transmissions provide a more current picture but usually increase battery consumption.
- Battery life under your operating settings. Ask about expected battery life based on the settings, temperature and connectivity conditions.
- Housing and attachment. The device and collar should be suitable for prolonged use on a large animal. Check the attachment and the condition of the skin regularly.
- App and alerts. Make sure you can easily find the last location, the update time and the geofence settings.
- Total cost. Compare the device, subscription, included services and support over the full period of use.
The most suitable solution is one that matches the conditions on your farm and that you feel comfortable using every day.
GPS solutions for cows from MyGPSing
MyGPSing offers a pasture livestock tracking solution that includes a GPS device, mobile app, connectivity and support. Available features include geofencing, alerts when an animal leaves a defined area and location history. The operating mode and settings should be adapted to your livestock management practices and pasture conditions.
The aim is practical: to give you accessible location information and help you organise animal checks more effectively.
Frequently asked questions about GPS tracking for cows
Does a GPS tracker work without mobile coverage?
Determining coordinates and transmitting them are separate processes. With a cellular tracker, the absence of a suitable mobile network may prevent you from receiving an up-to-date location. Whether data can be stored and sent later depends on the model.
Can I track my cows from my phone?
Yes, with a solution that includes a mobile app. You can see the received locations of animals fitted with trackers. How current those locations are depends on the transmission interval and connection.
How long does the battery last?
There is no single figure that applies to all GPS devices. Battery life depends on the model, positioning and transmission frequency, temperature and connection quality. Compare figures based on the same operating conditions.
Does a GPS device protect against theft?
It can help you notice unusual movement and guide your checks. It does not guarantee that theft will be prevented or that the animal will be found.
How do I choose a solution for my herd?
Start with the number of animals, the grazing area and the update frequency you need. Then discuss coverage, the number of devices and the total costs.
If searching for your cows takes up your time, explore MyGPSing’s GPS solution for pasture livestock. Contact us through the website and tell us where your animals graze and what you want to monitor. We can then discuss a suitable option for your farm.
