Terra Optics Research Center

Insights and analysis on
Precision ranch management.

Research on direct to satellite GPS cattle tags, precision ranch technology, and the data that drives better decisions on the land.

A rider looking for cattle across open rangeland
Smart tag technology

How Accurate Are Ceres Gen 6 GPS Cattle Ear Tags?

About 96% of the positions a Ceres Gen 6 tag reports land within 10 metres — roughly the length of a stock trailer. Here is what that means when you are looking for an animal, and how we arrived at the number.

October 30, 2026

Recent articles

A cow wearing a Ceres satellite GPS ear tag on open rangelandSmart tag technology

What Do Satellite GPS Cattle Tags Cost?

Less than $10 a head per month, or about $100 a head per year. That is broken up into three separate costs — the tag, the satellite connection and the software. Here is a breakdown of each piece.

April 11, 2026

Cattle grazing with GPS ear tags visible in their earsSmart tag technology

GPS Ear Tags for Cattle: 2026 Technology Comparison

Compare 7 GPS ear tags for cattle in 2026: Ceres Tag, mOOvement, 701x, Smart Paddock, GSatSolar, HerdDogg, and LoneStar. Specs, pricing, battery life, and a decision framework.

April 1, 2026

A Ceres satellite GPS ear tag fitted in a cow’s ear, seen close upSmart tag technology

How Satellite GPS Ear Tags Work: From Space to Your Phone

Learn how satellite GPS ear tags collect location, behavior, and health data from your cattle and transmit it via LEO satellites directly to your phone — no cell service needed.

April 1, 2026

A herd spread across open country where cell coverage is thinSmart tag technology

Satellite vs. Cellular vs. LoRa: Which GPS Tracking Technology Works for Your Operation?

Compare satellite, cellular, and LoRa GPS cattle tracking technologies. Coverage maps, cost per head, battery life, and a decision framework for ranchers.

April 1, 2026