New ranch technology could help detect screwworm early

As the New World screwworm heads northward from Mexico to the Texas border, Ranchbot, a remote monitoring and control company for ranchers in the United States and Australia, said the use of remote monitoring, artificial intelligence and satellite-connected ranch systems could play a key role in protecting cattle.

Andrew Coffin, co-founder and CEO of Ranchbot, said the company has submitted a grant proposal through the USDA’s NWS Grand Challenge, an initiative that is part of the department’s comprehensive strategy to combat the flesh-eating parasite that preys on cattle herds.

Initially, Ranchbot utilized its technology to provide insight to ranchers about the water infrastructure on their ranches using sensors.