Trail Cams Monitor Water Tanks
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Instead of watching game with his trail cameras, Luke Perman uses them to monitor his cattle’s water tanks. Twice a day, after sunup and before sundown, the 3 cameras email him photos so he can see if the tanks have water. He can also check anytime in between.
With three herds in different pastures spread out in a 5-mile radius, that saves the Hoven, S. Dak., rancher time and fuel. Whenever he moves a herd to a different pasture, he moves a camera with them.
“I have about $350 into each camera, which includes solar chargers. Cellular data rates are really reasonable,” Perman says. He pays about $6/month per camera.
The system is less expensive than other monitoring systems, but had higher upfront costs than the first system he set up. Perman experimented with used waterproof Android smart phones and inexpensive cables and battery packs to power them with solar. Using Skype software he could see live video with a $10/month plan on his cellphone. Though it was inexpensive, he spent a lot of time keeping everything working, and cell phones aren’t designed to be in hot or cold weather.
“The smart phone was good because I had a live video to look at the cattle. And I still use the old phones for security - set in a window in the house looking at the yard,” he says. He uses “Alfred”, a surveillance app, on the phones.
The game cameras have a higher upfront cost, but are more dependable and designed to be outdoors. Perman purchased cameras from Barn Owl and has been happy with the service and tech support (www.barnowl.tech). He adds there are other companies with trail cameras that would also work.
This summer, Perman plans to install a mobile solar pump and may use a camera to monitor it as well.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Luke Perman, 14351 312th Ave., Hoven, S. Dak. 57450 (ph 605 649-6468; rockhillsranch@gmail.com).
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Trail Cams Monitor Water Tanks LIVESTOCK Miscellaneous Instead of watching game with his trail cameras Luke Perman uses them to monitor his cattle’s water tanks Twice a day after sunup and before sundown the 3 cameras email him photos so he can see if the tanks have water He can also check anytime in between With three herds in different pastures spread out in a 5-mile radius that saves the Hoven S Dak rancher time and fuel Whenever he moves a herd to a different pasture he moves a camera with them “I have about $350 into each camera which includes solar chargers Cellular data rates are really reasonable ” Perman says He pays about $6/month per camera The system is less expensive than other monitoring systems but had higher upfront costs than the first system he set up Perman experimented with used waterproof Android smart phones and inexpensive cables and battery packs to power them with solar Using Skype software he could see live video with a $10/month plan on his cellphone Though it was inexpensive he spent a lot of time keeping everything working and cell phones aren’t designed to be in hot or cold weather “The smart phone was good because I had a live video to look at the cattle And I still use the old phones for security - set in a window in the house looking at the yard ” he says He uses “Alfred” a surveillance app on the phones The game cameras have a higher upfront cost but are more dependable and designed to be outdoors Perman purchased cameras from Barn Owl and has been happy with the service and tech support www barnowl tech He adds there are other companies with trail cameras that would also work This summer Perman plans to install a mobile solar pump and may use a camera to monitor it as well Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Luke Perman 14351 312th Ave Hoven S Dak 57450 ph 605 649-6468; rockhillsranch@gmail com
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