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Watching the cows come home--on the Net

Desiree DeNunzio Editor
Desiree DeNunzio is the gift guide editor for CNET's Commerce team. When she's not writing and editing, she's either hiking through the redwoods or curled up with a good book and a lazy dog.
Expertise Desiree has been a writer and editor for the past two decades, covering everything from top-selling Amazon deals to apparel, pets and home goods. Credentials
  • Desiree's previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.
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Desiree DeNunzio

Being a keen cattleman and keeping a constant watch over the herd means early mornings and no breaks. But new technology could change all that.

Researchers at Australia's University of New England have come up with technology that will let ranchers remotely keep an eye on their livestock and maintain trough levels via a cell phone or the Internet, according to an article posted on The Age. If the trough runs dry or intruders enter the livestock gate, a text message can be sent to alert the rancher of the problem. The researchers hope that eventually the system will include remote-controlled weighing devices as well.

The technology, developed by the university's Institute for Rural Futures, along with Australian telecom company Telstra, is being tested at a farm near Walcha. The Institute for Rural Futures expects it to be available commercially within the next 12 months, according to The Age.