Happy Monday ranchers,

This year’s NCBA CattleCon felt different.

Yes, attendance was record-setting. But more importantly, technology was everywhere. Instead of being tucked away in a few startup booths, it was front and center across the trade show floor. Even companies that have traditionally sold hardware, genetics, or services were pitching software, sensors, AI, and data platforms as core parts of their offering.

Over the next several issues, we’re going to highlight some of the most interesting cattle-tech companies we saw at CattleCon 2026—what they’re building, why it matters, and how producers should think about these tools.

It’s an exciting time to be in the beef industry. But it’s also a confusing one. Let’s break it down.

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Virtual Fencing Expands Beyond Pasture Into Mixed Farming Systems | CSIRO
Australia’s national research agency says GPS-based virtual fencing can improve grazing control, reduce labor and fencing costs, and boost pasture utilization—especially in mixed crop–livestock systems where physical fencing is expensive or impractical.

GPS Collars Are the Next Frontier in Livestock Grazing | Food Manufacturing
Virtual fencing collars are gaining traction as a way to cut fencing costs, automate rotational grazing, and improve pasture management—potentially transforming rangeland operations.

Precision Agriculture Tools Are Reshaping Livestock Management | Allied News
From health monitoring to automated feeding, precision ag tech is increasingly used to improve productivity and reduce labor across livestock operations.

Smart Tech is Transforming Animal Care on Australian Farms | News.com.au
Sensors, AI monitoring, and connected systems are improving welfare, reducing losses, and giving producers real-time data on animal health and behavior.

AI-Powered Breeding Tools Promise Faster Genetic Gains | Farming Life
AI-driven breeding platforms aim to accelerate genetic improvement by predicting performance traits and optimizing mating decisions.

Cost-Effective Methane Monitoring Hits Commercial Scale | Vytelle
Vytelle is developing integrated methane sensors to measure emissions alongside feed efficiency—helping producers quantify sustainability traits for genetics and markets.

Grasslands May Absorb More Carbon Than Livestock Emit | UkrAgroConsult
New research suggests well-managed grasslands can be net carbon sinks, complicating simplistic narratives around livestock emissions.

Removing Livestock Could Weaken Soil Carbon Sinks | Carbon Herald
A new study finds grazing animals may be critical for maintaining soil carbon sequestration, challenging calls for blanket livestock removal.

AI and Smart Tech Accelerate Livestock Productivity Gains | Yahoo Finance
The precision livestock market is growing as AI tools improve monitoring, productivity, and animal welfare across global operations.

Climate-Driven Water Scarcity Reshapes Ag Landscapes | Bloomberg
Not directly ag-focused, but a clear signal: water tech and climate adaptation are becoming major capital priorities across land-use sectors.