Active Tag Beef Hits the Ground Running • Datamars Livestock

Tru-Test Active Tag Beef is making its mark in UK beef herds, with farmers already putting the technology to work to improve fertility, breeding decisions and herd management.

It’s been a busy start for Tru-Test Active Tag Beef. Since launching in the UK, the dedicated beef heat detection system has already attracted attention from farmers and the agricultural media, featuring in Farmers Weekly and on S4C’s Ffermio.

Behind the headlines, beef producers are putting Active Tag Beef to the test in real-world farming systems – with some impressive results.

From Farmers Weekly to Ffermio

The launch of Active Tag Beef has been given a boost by two high-profile features showcasing how the technology is being used on farm.

Farmers Weekly recently visited the Davies family, who are using Active Tags within their pedigree Limousin and Belgian Blue-cross suckler herd. The family’s experience was also featured on S4C’s farming programme, Ffermio.

Tru-Test Active Tags used for beef heat detection

For Caryl Davies, the decision to introduce Active Tags came from seeing activity monitoring work successfully on dairy farms and wanting to explore what the technology could offer within the suckler system.

After completing an AI course, the family introduced Active Tags to a group of heifers and second calvers – and the results have exceeded expectations.

“The system has given us accurate heat detection and, most importantly, confidence in identifying the optimal insemination time. Rather than serving animals at the first signs of heat, we’ve been able to inseminate at the most effective point in the cycle, leading to improved breeding confidence and better outcomes.”

The technology has also opened up greater flexibility when it comes to sire selection.

“The tags have also given us greater flexibility to use a wider range of bulls and carefully match individual cows to the most suitable sire, helping us continually improve calf quality within the herd.”

Importantly, the system has fitted around the family’s existing grass-based system, with the gateway allowing tags to continue syncing while cattle are at grass.

“We haven’t had to compromise our grazing system to benefit from the technology.”

Active Tags have quickly become a valuable management tool within the herd, helping the family make more informed breeding decisions while maintaining a practical approach to suckler production.

Mark Davies speaking about Active Tag Beef

Already delivering on farm

The Davies family aren’t the only beef producers seeing the benefits.

The McCornick family in Dumfriesshire have also introduced Tru-Test Active Tags, using the technology to support both breeding and wider herd management.

For them, installation was quick and straightforward, with the system fitting easily into their normal handling routine.

“The app is quick to set up, easy to use and provides clear, reliable insights, even with cattle regularly moving between fields.”

Fertility has been one of the biggest areas of improvement. By following the breeding window recommended by the app, the family has achieved strong conception rates and tighter calving patterns, giving them greater confidence in every AI decision.

“It has made our breeding programme more efficient and given us greater confidence in every insemination decision.”

The technology has also provided insight beyond heat detection, helping identify cycling issues, repeat breeders, potential bull fertility problems and health concerns – as well as alerts for cows approaching calving.

“The system gives us greater confidence, saves valuable time and helps us make better-informed breeding and herd health decisions every day.”

A new approach to beef heat detection

Active Tag Beef has been developed with a dedicated beef-specific algorithm, tailored for beef herds.

By monitoring activity and presenting the information through the app, the system helps farmers identify heat activity and the optimum breeding window, giving them greater confidence around AI timing.

And because the technology works alongside the way beef farms already operate, cattle can continue moving between fields and grazing areas while farmers continue to receive valuable information.

For producers looking to improve fertility, tighten calving patterns or simply gain a better understanding of what is happening within their herd, it offers a new way to put more information behind every breeding decision.