Saito Farm
Elevation: 280m
Area: Approx. 70ha (about 45ha for grazing)
Number of cattle: 59 (50 grazed)
Number of Ushimiru collars in use: 43
Number of staff: 3
Number of installed gateways: 1 (using solar-powered unit)
―How did you manage grazing cattle before using Ushimiru?
Before introducing Ushimiru, we relied on experience to estimate the cattle’s locations.
In early spring and autumn, the fallen leaves made the pasture visible from the meadows, which caused more cows to escape.
We had to increase patrols, especially from September onward, climbing uphill every day around noon to check on the cows.
Sometimes, neighbors would say, “Your cows have escaped!”
─In what situations do you usually use Ushimiru?
We check Ushimiru in the morning and evening before rounding up the cows.
After guiding most of them back to the barn, we use Ushimiru again to find any stragglers.
― Has the number or duration of patrols changed since introducing it?
Since introducing Ushimiru, we hardly ever patrol anymore. The number of times we physically check has also decreased. While the time required to return cows hasn’t changed, the time spent searching for missing cows has shortened significantly. Depending on the day, it used to take an hour to find a cow, but now we can find them in around 15 minutes.
─Has visualizing cow behavior with GPS revealed anything new?
When we didn’t have electric fencing, we couldn’t tell how the cows escaped. By looking at the Ushimiru tracks and going to the area, we discovered barbed wire had been broken or droppings were found on animal trails. This helped us identify new escape routes.
─Did you get used to the system right away? What were your first impressions?
The app is easy to understand — you just check the map and cow locations. I thought the collar might be heavy for the cows, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem. So far, it hasn’t gotten caught on branches either.
─What features do you particularly like about Ushimiru?
I like that it shows the last received time. It’s convenient to know which cow is roughly where in near real time. If one cow is in a spot, the others are usually nearby. Even if a cow’s GPS isn’t updating, I can estimate its location. Before introducing Ushimiru, we sometimes relied on intuition like “which way did they escape today?” Now we can go directly to the right place.
― Was there ever a moment when you felt “Ushimiru saved us”?
Yes, in early May, one cow didn’t return to the barn. Ushimiru showed a consistent signal near a swampy area. When we went there, we found the cow stuck and unable to stand. If we didn’t have Ushimiru, we might not have found her in time, and she could have died.
― When did you feel glad to have Ushimiru?
Thanks to Ushimiru, we identified escape routes and reinforced fences to prevent escapes. Visualizing the cows’ behavior helped deepen our understanding of things we previously knew through experience. For example, we now clearly know they gather in certain shaded areas when it’s hot, or stay in specific spots during rain — things we only vaguely understood before.
─ Would you recommend Ushimiru to other farmers? Why?
Yes. Recently, more farms are using abandoned fields for grazing. In sloped grazing areas, Ushimiru's strengths really shine.
