What kinds of tracking are there?
Options include GPS collars or tags that report location, radio tags that a receiver detects nearby, electronic ear tags that identify an animal when scanned, and cameras at water or gates. Some systems record movement and activity as well.
Each answers a different question. GPS tells you where animals are, an ear tag tells you which animal it is, and a camera shows what is happening. Think about the herd's behavior. Animals that gather in the same place repeatedly may be pointing to a water source, shade, a break in the fence or a predator, and tracking data can reveal habits you did not know. Consider simpler options too, such as a trail camera at a water source or a bell on a lead animal, which cost little and can tell you a lot.
- GPS: location over a distance
- RFID: identity at a reader
- Cameras: what is happening at a point
Where does it help most?
Large, hilly or wooded pastures, open range and shared grazing are where tracking helps the most. It can help find a missing animal, show where the herd grazes, flag one that has stopped moving, and notice when animals gather at a gate or a fence line.
On a small, visible pasture, walking and a good look may serve better than any device. Ask whether the system alerts you when a device stops reporting. A silent failure is worse than a loud one. Seasonal grazing, calving and hunting seasons change what you need, so consider renting or borrowing devices for the periods when they matter most.
What are the limits?
GPS devices need battery power and a way to send data, and remote country may lack cell coverage. Devices can be lost, chewed, rubbed off or damaged. Collars can rub or snag, and heavy equipment can bother an animal. Readings are not exact, and an alert may not tell you why an animal is in a particular place.
A device cannot tell if an animal is hurt unless you go and look.
Ask the manufacturer about battery life, range and replacement, and test a few devices on your own land before buying more. Test range and battery life in your worst conditions, such as in a deep draw or under dense trees, before relying on the system.
What about animal welfare and safety?
Choose devices designed for your species and size, fit them as the instructions say and check regularly for rubbing, swelling and wear. A badly fitted collar can cause injury. Talk to your veterinarian about the best choice and about attaching devices to young animals that are growing.
Put safety first when handling animals to fit devices. Use proper restraints, work with help, and keep clear of animals' kicks and horns. Compare the cost of one device across the animals' lifetime. Subscription fees, batteries and replacements may exceed the purchase price over several years. Check collars and tags at each handling, and remove or replace them promptly if you see rubbing or hair loss.
What about rules and records?
Animal identification, movement and health rules differ by state, species and sale, and they can change. Your state veterinarian's office and USDA can say what is required. Do not assume that a tracking device meets an official identification requirement.
Tracking data can also be personal business information. Check who owns it and who can see it, and back it up. Check how data is stored and shared, and whether you can delete it. Location data can show when you are away from home. Record the tag or device number alongside any official identification in your own records.
How do I decide if it is worth it?
Count the time and trouble that tracking would save, and compare it to the cost of devices, subscriptions, batteries and replacements. A single saved animal may justify a lot, but not always. Ask neighbors, your veterinarian and extension agent what works nearby.
Start small with a few devices on animals that wander most, and use the first season to learn. Keep paper records as a backup, and ask neighbors who use tracking what they would do differently. Ask the maker what happens to your data and device if the company changes its service, since a subscription device can stop working.
Key takeaways
- Tracking tools answer different questions.
- They help most on large or rough ground.
- Welfare and fit matter.
- Check official rules separately.
- Start small and count the real cost.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.