Cow 'Fitbit' helps pastoralists care for newborn calves

Key points

• Pastoralists are using technology to improve the survival of newborn calves. At Winning Station, near Coral Bay in Western Australia, Kim Forrester uses a phone and tablet to track water tanks and cattle data.
• Researchers at Central Queensland University are fitting cows with ear tags and GPS collars similar to Fitbit activity monitors. At Manbulloo Station near Katherine, Christie Pearson is studying maternal behaviour in 140 cows.
• Senior researcher Anita Chang is monitoring 100 cows at Belmont Station in Rockhampton. Mr Forrester said surviving calves is the biggest profit driver.