Key Takeaways
- Halter has launched direct-to-satellite connectivity for its smart cattle collars using Starlink, a world-first that eliminates the need for cell towers or on-ranch infrastructure.
- The technology enables ranchers to manage cattle anywhere they can see the sky, expanding Halter's estimated U.S. beef cattle market coverage by 2.5x.
- High Lonesome Ranch in western Colorado has deployed the system across 225,000 acres of complex terrain as an early adopter.
- Alongside the satellite launch, Halter rolled out its largest-ever product upgrade, including heat detection, a behavior tool, and advanced grazing and pasture management features.
- The release addresses key pressures facing beef ranchers, including rising fuel costs, labor shortages, and an aging workforce.
Halter Eliminates Infrastructure Barrier With Satellite-Connected Cattle Collars
Halter, the digital operating system for pasture-based ranches, has announced the launch of direct-to-satellite connectivity for its smart cattle collars — a world-first that removes the requirement for cell towers or on-ranch radio infrastructure. Using Starlink, the system enables ranchers to manage cattle anywhere they have a clear view of the sky, opening access to remote and rugged terrain that was previously beyond the reach of virtual fencing technology.
Until now, Halter's solar-powered, GPS-enabled collars relied on the company's proprietary long-range radio towers for communication. Direct-to-satellite eliminates ground infrastructure entirely, with collars communicating via Starlink. The company's internal modelling estimates this expands coverage of the U.S. beef cattle market by 2.5x.
Connectivity Breakthrough Addresses Key Ranching Pressures
The launch comes as beef ranchers face mounting operational pressures including rising fuel costs, labor shortages, and an aging workforce. Craig Piggott, CEO and founder of Halter, said connectivity had been the final barrier to bringing virtual fencing to remote and expansive ranches. He described direct-to-satellite as enabling ranchers to manage hundreds of thousands of acres in the most remote terrain on the planet.
High Lonesome Ranch in western Colorado, spanning 225,000 acres of complex terrain, is among the first operations to deploy the satellite-enabled system. Lloyd Calvert, livestock and agriculture manager at the ranch, said the technology allows the team to run very remote country while maintaining full visibility of cattle without requiring someone on the ground with them at all times.
Halter's Largest-Ever Product Upgrade Accompanies Satellite Launch
Alongside the satellite connectivity announcement, Halter released its largest-ever product upgrade for beef cattle ranchers. New features include an all-in-one heat detection tool to identify non-cycling animals before breeding, a behavior tool providing near real-time insight into how feed allocation and pasture quality are influencing cattle performance, and a suite of advanced grazing capabilities including high-resolution pasture mapping, pasture metrics, zone and block management, and a feed demand calculator.
Together, the satellite connectivity and new product features significantly expand the scope of cattle ranch management — from remote terrain access to precision reproductive and nutritional monitoring.
