Quantified Ag

Quantified Ag, founded in 2014 by Vishal Singh and later joined by co-founders Brian Schupbach and Andrew Uden, operates in the precision livestock analytics sector. The company developed a system to monitor cattle health for feedlot operators and cattle producers. This journey began for Singh, who had a background in art, video game development, and agricultural technology, after identifying a critical need in the cattle industry for early and accurate illness detection. Initially exploring thermal imaging via drones, Singh pivoted to developing a smart ear tag after validating the concept with producers through the NMotion startup accelerator.

The core of Quantified Ag's business is a non-invasive ear tag sensor system, sometimes called a "Fitbit for cows," that tracks individual animal biometrics and behavior, such as body temperature and movement. This data is sent to cloud servers for analysis using proprietary algorithms, which can identify signs of illness before they are visually apparent. Real-time alerts are then sent to farmers' mobile devices or computers, allowing for earlier intervention, reducing disease spread, and minimizing the need for mass antibiotic treatments. This leads to lower costs associated with death loss and re-treatment, ultimately improving the overall health and performance of the herd.

The Lincoln, Nebraska-based startup gained significant traction, which led to an investment from Merck Animal Health in April 2018 to further fund development. This collaborative partnership culminated in the acquisition of Quantified Ag by Merck Animal Health in June 2020. Following the acquisition, Quantified Ag's product portfolio was integrated into Merck's Allflex Livestock Intelligence business unit, a complementary division specializing in animal identification and monitoring technology. The technology continues to be developed, with Merck launching SENSEHUB® Feedlot, a product based on Quantified Ag's platform.

Keywords: precision livestock analytics, agtech, cattle health monitoring, feedlot management, animal biometrics, smart ear tag, livestock data, early disease detection, cattle producers, animal wellness, Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Merck Animal Health, Vishal Singh, livestock technology, herd management, real-time alerts, cloud analytics, sensor technology, farm technology, animal traceability