Digital system and method for tracking cattle

Description

1 / 14 DIGITAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CATTLE TRACKING Field of invention

[001] The present invention relates to a novel process that allows the tracking of cattle heads, monitoring their life cycle, from birth to their sale (slaughter), identifying the conditions and context to which the animals are subjected, whether legal, environmental, or social. Fundamentals of the invention

[002] Agribusiness is an important segment of the Brazilian economy. It is estimated that the sector's share of the economy will be approximately 22.0% in 2024, corresponding to R$ 2.58 Trillion (CEPEA / CNA 2025).

[003] From January to November 2024, Brazilian agribusiness exports totaled US$152.63 billion, representing 48.9% of total Brazilian exports during the period. Of this, meat products accounted for US$23.93 billion.

[004] Starting in the 1990s, consumers, especially Europeans, began to place greater importance on food quality and safety. This led them to issue Regulation (EC) No 178 / 2002.

[005] The main factors that led to the creation of this legislation were the Mad Cow Disease (BSE - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) crisis, which in the 1990s, the BSE epidemic in the United Kingdom and other European countries led to a loss of confidence in the food sector and regulatory authorities. The fear of transmission of the variant of the disease to humans (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) spurred stricter traceability and food safety measures. Cases of the presence of dioxins (toxic substances) in the human food chain, also in the 1990s, caused scandals, as they highlighted failures in food safety control. One of the most notorious cases occurred in Belgium, where feed contaminated with dioxins contaminated the entire production of animal protein, meat, eggs and dairy products. The adulteration of food composition came to light in the horse meat crisis in 2013 (therefore discovered after the creation of the law).In that episode, it was found that foods that should have contained pork and horse meat only contained... Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, p. 4 / 21 2 / 14 of the meat from the last batches, thus demonstrating that traceability in the animal protein production chain should be implemented / strengthened within processing industries to have an effective tracking system throughout the entire production chain.

[006] Due to the aforementioned quality problems with the raw product, the European Union established the adoption of animal traceability and labeling systems as mandatory for all member countries, Council Regulation No. 820 / 97 of April 21, 1991. It stipulated that third countries exporting to that bloc should use a national traceability and labeling system, which should be submitted for validation by the European authorities as a condition for the continuation of beef trade. The European Union's requirements had an impact on the Brazilian regulatory environment.

[007] Evolving from Council Regulation No. 820 / 97, Regulation No. 178 / 2002 was issued. The objectives of Regulation 178 / 2002 were to create a European Food Safety System based on the principle of traceability, to establish the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to assess risks and provide scientific guidance, to define responsibilities for all those involved in the production chain, to ensure food safety from farm to consumer, preventing fraud and guaranteeing product quality. This regulation became the basis for all food safety legislation in the European Union and influenced regulations in other countries, including Brazil.

[008] Brazilian Law No. 12,097, of November 24, 2009, regulated by Decree No. 7,623 / 2011, which provides for the concept of traceability in the beef and buffalo meat production chain, establishes in its Article 2: “The traceability referred to in this Law is the ability to guarantee the registration and monitoring of information relating to the phases that make up the beef and buffalo meat production chain, allowing an animal or group of animals to be followed during all stages of their life, as well as a product to be followed through all phases of production, transport, processing and distribution of the beef and buffalo meat production chain.”

[009] In this way, traceability in livestock farming is based on the following linked principles: identification of the individual or group of animals and the property that owns them. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 5 / 21 3 / 14 shelters; identification of attributes of interest associated with the animals and / or the property; maintenance and monitoring of animal movement records from birth to slaughter.

[010] Traceability also allows for the prompt adoption of effective and appropriate animal health, public health and food safety measures when necessary; linking potential environmental issues to livestock production areas. Along these lines, the state of Pará has implemented specific legislation on the need to demonstrate environmental compliance on properties dedicated to cattle farming.

[011] Normative Instruction No. 51, of October 10, 2018, defined the Brazilian System for Individual Identification of Bovines and Buffaloes (SISBOV) as being voluntary for producers. In general, adherence to traceability systems occurs voluntarily when motivating factors are perceived, such as market expansion and easier access to credit. Fiscal and tax incentives can also be used to universalize adherence to traceability systems.

[012] But the current costs of joining SISBOV are inversely proportional to the size of the farm's herd, which makes it difficult for medium and small producers to join the Brazilian traceability system.

[013] Cattle traceability in Brazilian livestock farming is carried out on all animals registered in SISBOV through the implantation of ear tags or chips with individualized codes on the animals. The system is centralized in the Federal Government, which manages its database, and is audited on the properties by certification bodies accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture. The expansion of the Brazilian traceability system has presented limitations, as livestock farmers who join bear the costs of participating in the system, but only perceive an increase in the value of traced meat when it is exported to niche markets.

[014] As 75% of the meat produced in the country is consumed domestically, the high costs of joining SISBOV and the lack of differentiated remuneration for meat produced have inhibited the expansion of traceability in the country. The expansion of Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 6 / 21 4 / 14 In the external market, the increased value of traceable livestock production in the domestic market and the development of cheaper traceability methods could broaden livestock farmers' adoption of traceability.

[015] The need to prove that animal production occurred in accordance with labor and environmental laws and the facilitation of access to credit can also support the expansion of the bovine traceability system.

[016] Greater adoption of traceability systems will enable an increase in the share sold in the foreign market, given a greater perception of value in the domestic market associated with traceable livestock production due to the existence / development of simpler and cheaper tracking methods.

[017] The lack of a traceability standard for products consumed in the Brazilian market condemns Brazilians to the status of second-class consumers, subjecting them to a greater risk of food insecurity. Added to this is the impossibility of verifying the environmental and social compliance of the bovine and buffalo production chain, due to a complete lack of knowledge of the conditions existing in livestock production units.

[018] In Brazil, a universally applicable beef production chain traceability system is essential to guarantee and promote access to different markets, providing transparency and reliability to activities related to livestock production and its industrial processing.

[019] Making a traceability system for the beef production chain viable in Brazil that can be used universally is essential not only to guarantee and promote access to different markets, but also to provide transparency and reliability to activities related to livestock production and its industrial processing in the domestic market.

[020] Traceability linked to sanitary aspects and socio-environmental compliance of production expands the possibility of access for small and medium-sized livestock farmers to international markets. Only the possibility of becoming eligible for Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 7 / 21 5 / 14 Exporting animals brings benefits to farm management and increases the efficiency of animal production.

[021] In addition to sanitary aspects, traceability, associated with the socio-environmental compliance of production, can expand access for small and medium-sized livestock farmers to international markets and generate benefits for farm management by increasing the efficiency of animal production.

[022] Proof of compliance of livestock production with environmental management has become a requirement of importing countries, and in some situations, these requirements are intended to override national legislation. However, the cost of obtaining this proof through production certification can make access to international markets unfeasible. Currently, SISBOV does not have the means to certify this type of compliance.

[023] In addition to the costs, which discourage participation in the system, SISBOV requires the use of a set of tools that many producers do not master and demonstrate the need to acquire a culture of adopting new practices and technologies throughout the chain, also perceived in the interviews carried out. However, the reality of livestock farming in Brazil is quite different (cf. PEREIRA; VIEIRA, 2014).

[024] The obstacle to the expansion of SISBOV, besides its cost, is the producer's inability to invest in this technology, both due to lack of access to capital and lack of technical assistance.

[025] Tax incentives can also serve to stimulate the implementation of SISBOV in the country. It is worth noting that SISBOV was not designed to guarantee the legality of the animals' areas of origin. And that, to do so, it would be necessary to register the animal immediately after its birth or, at least, before it leaves the farm where it was born. This does not happen. Because in some cases the ear tag is placed 90 days before the animal destined for export is slaughtered or shipped. Thus, for SISBOV to guarantee environmental traceability, it is necessary, first of all, that it extends to the entire chain to reach the animals immediately after their birth or at least before their first sale or their first transit. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 8 / 21 6 / 14

[026] The inadequacy of SISBOV is demonstrated by the launch of the National Plan for Individual Identification of Bovines and Buffaloes (PNIB), which aims to strengthen traceability in the meat and milk production chain in Brazil, meeting the demands for food safety and sanitary control. In light of the limitations of the current system.

[027] According to Almeida et al. (2019), the cost of SISBOV for 50 head is 1% of revenue, and for 5,000 head 0.4% of the revenue of 1 animal, which makes its adoption unfeasible for small farmers, unlike large livestock farmers.

[028] Therefore, SISBOV is not accessible to most livestock farmers who serve the Brazilian population, due to its high cost, resulting from the intensive use of tracking technologies based on single-use devices, which cannot even be reused after the animal is slaughtered. Added to this is the need for a third party - the certification body, a mandatory agent in the process, as well as the need to use specialized equipment and a method to extract data.

[029] PI BR 102021005262-7 A2 presents a traceability process proposal based on identifying the animal through biometrics. However, this event is not linked to time – date / hour – nor to space – geolocation, when it occurs, image acquisition, proposing to register the registration data of a single individual on a private blockchain, without linking it to other data that authenticate the conditions that impact the animal's living conditions and the conduct of the business, adding no value. Another limitation is its exclusive use in beef cattle, with no alternatives considered for dairy or breeding cattle. The use of a private blockchain may raise doubts about the reliability of a participation that is intended to be voluntary.

[030] Invention Patent BR 102020024743-3 A2, SYSTEM FOR CATTLE TRACEABILITY BY CONSEQUENCE, describes a technological platform that aims to consolidate information collected on livestock farms using proprietary applications or allowing the automatic receipt of information from management systems throughout the animals' lives. However, its use is limited to beef cattle and requires digital certificates. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 9 / 21 7 / 14 Objectives of the Invention

[031] The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems arising from the state of the art in order to make cattle tracking accessible to small and medium-sized livestock farmers using available technology such as market-standard mobile devices (smartphones, tablets), specialized applications, high-availability infrastructure, public blockchain; at a much lower cost than currently practiced, with guaranteed security and scalability, using an innovative method. Description of the invention

[032] The present invention makes use of a system which includes a specialized application (APP) that must be installed on a mobile device.

[033] This APP allows the user to identify their property and herd data, and to acquire and upload images.

[034] When the APP is installed on a given device, that device becomes an enabled device.

[035] The APP compulsorily enables geolocation and date / time functionalities on the device.

[036] Images acquired under the APP are called qualified images.

[037] Qualified images are the only ones considered by the tracking system, and it is essential to ensure that all good practice requirements have been followed in order to be certified.

[038] The APP establishes that the user (livestock producer) registers and provides the data necessary to characterize the herd: its location (state and municipality), the type of use of the cattle (beef, milk or breeding); the sex, age, weight and breed; the number of animals in the lot; the desired sale price, the method of reproduction, whether natural or artificial insemination, the intended sale date; the most striking characteristics of the animals and the property, as well as any information that complements the registration and that the livestock producer deems important to give potential buyers complete information. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 10 / 21 8 / 14 description of the herd, including additional images.

[039] The insertion of additional images generated from other devices, such as those obtained from drones, is permitted.

[040] The insertion of these images is indicated in the APP under the upload function.

[041] Once these images are entered into the system, their authenticity is verified by consistency with the geolocations of the property and the enabled device.

[042] The images, regardless of their coherence or lack thereof, are recorded on the blockchain with the flags as described below.

[043] Images not generated from the APP, inserted from upload, are called elective images.

[044] The present invention comprises a tracking system that, under the instruction of an authorized user, acquires images of the herd. Data is extracted from these images, including geolocation and date / time.

[045] With geolocation it is possible to identify cattle handling and verify their movement through areas such as those with agrarian conflict, areas free from deforestation, without environmental embargo or occurrence of slave labor.

[046] With this, those interested in the herd can follow the entire life cycle of the animals, given that all data from the initial qualification of the property, the owner and the herd, are under the same information chain on the blockchain.

[047] This ensures that the product and its respective information, relating to each phase, are properly registered under the same blockchain, which guarantees visibility of the entire product life cycle, tracking it.

[048] The present invention further comprises a method for extracting data from images characterized by extracting data relating to their geolocation and creation date when the image is acquired by a qualified device. This data is recorded on a blockchain and linked to other data in this collection. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 11 / 21 9 / 14

[049] In the case of eligible images, if there is data containing the geolocation and creation date relating to the image and the device, and both are the same, a green flag is generated, and the data is recorded on the blockchain, linked to the previous data of this herd.

[050] In the case of eligible images, if data containing the geolocation and creation date of the image do not exist, the geolocation and creation date data of the enabled device are used, generating a yellow flag, and the data is recorded on the blockchain, linked to the previous data of this herd.

[051] If data containing the geolocation and creation date of the image exists, and this data is not consistent with the previous geolocation and date data, a red flag is generated, and the data is recorded on the blockchain, linked to the previous data of this herd.

[052] With registration on the Blockchain, this set of data can be consulted, in a transparent way and with a guarantee of its immutability.

[053] The present invention incorporates the rational use of information technology to acquire information relating to property, whether located in a conflict zone, and / or with the occurrence of diseases, with potential environmental and social risks (use of slave labor), and whether outside of an indigenous area.

[054] The present invention obtains the geometric and geolocation coordinates of the property. This is done from reliable public and private databases.

[055] The present invention also allows the monitored individuals to be incorporated from birth and into groups (herds). This eliminates the inefficiency of the current technique in knowing the entire life cycle of the animals. In order to monitor growth (fattening), a new image of the group (herd) must be incorporated within 30 days.

[056] The authenticity of these images is verified by extracting their data, which includes date / time and geolocation. This overcomes the limitations of the previous technique regarding the creation of an authentic record. A verification of this data and its consistency with the others is carried out, and the result is... Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 12 / 21 10 / 14 is recorded on the blockchain, making it immutable, transparent, and accessible when needed.

[057] Another advantage over the current technique is that it eliminates the need for field audits and the use of specialized personnel to record images, since the devices used in the present invention are equipped with geolocation (GPS, GSM) and medium to high resolution cameras, and are technically capable of capturing high-quality images (photographs and videos).

[058] The advantage of using mobile devices compared to current techniques that rely on ear tag-type or specialized devices applied to animals is that it eliminates the need for such devices and specialized personnel for their application. This leads to cost reduction and increased speed in the tracking operation.

[059] Another benefit is the use of standard, commercial equipment - mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) for acquiring textual and image data. These devices, even the simplest and cheapest ones, are equipped with features that allow for the guarantee of the authenticity of the information mentioned, being carried out under the APP. Examples of embodiments of the invention

[060] The embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods that eliminate restrictions for small and medium-sized livestock farmers to use and demonstrate the use of livestock tracking with efficiency superior to the state of the art.

[061] In the case of a product sale / purchase platform, potential buyers have a clear view of the entire evolution of the cattle (herd), analyzing it based on solid information entered by sellers.

[062] This is done by installing a specialized livestock tracking APP on a mobile device, making it an enabled device. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 13 / 21 11 / 14

[063] The APP establishes that the user (livestock producer) registers and provides the data necessary to characterize the herd: location of the property (state and municipality and coordinates according to formal documentation), the type of use of the cattle (beef, milk or breeding); sex, age, weight and breed; the number of animals in the lot; desired sale price, the method of reproduction, whether natural or artificial insemination, the intended sale date. The most striking characteristics of the animals and the property can also be registered, as well as any information that complements the registration and that the livestock producer considers important to give potential buyers a complete description of the herd.

[064] In this initial data collection, capturing images of the herd, which may contain from 1 to N individuals, is mandatory.

[065] With the enabled device in use, at least one new image must be collected every maximum period of 30 (thirty) days.

[066] These images obtained by the enabled device's Camera system are called qualified images.

[067] New qualified images and handling records, with regard to the maximum period between records - thirty days, with daily insertion allowed, which enriches the information regarding the product.

[068] With each image collection, the method is called, supporting the analysis of the handling. Especially if the cattle were moved respecting all legal and sanitary rules.

[069] In order to allow for greater documentation and to promote the maintenance of common behavior in livestock farming, images obtained from drones or other resources can be entered into the system, under the upload function via APP, with their geolocation and date / time being verified, with regard to consistency in relation to the property data and the usual location of the herd, including the initial location. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 14 / 21 12 / 14

[070] Images uploaded are called elective images.

[071] The result of these analyses is also recorded on the blockchain.

[072] Due to the common technical attributes of blockchain, available through the (transparent) APP, it is possible to track the entire product lifecycle, from initial data and images to the results of analyses.

[073] In the case of a product sale / purchase platform, potential buyers will be able to have a clear view of the cattle (herd), analyzing it based on solid information.

[074] This cycle of inserting images, data and analysis continues until an offer is accepted by an offeror and the product is picked up by the buyer.

[075] The buyer may request continued tracking of the purchased herd, which requires registering the purchased herd as a lot to be sold in the future on the same APP, ensuring continuity of the process.

[076] If all qualified images meet the time and consistency requirements, tracking is considered certified.

[077] If at least one of the qualified images does not meet the time and consistency requirements, the tracking is considered not certified. List of attached drawings

[078] In order that the present invention may be fully understood and put into practice by any technician in this technological field, it is described in a clear, precise and sufficient manner, based on the attached drawings listed below, which illustrate preferred forms of the system and method for controlling and tracking assets: Figure 1 - illustrates a macroflow diagram of the process of the present invention; Figure 2 - illustrates a simplified diagram of how data collection works; Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 15 / 21 13 / 14 Figure 3 - illustrates a simplified diagram of the image capture / insertion validation operation; Figure 4 - illustrates a simplified diagram of signaling and qualified image registration on the blockchain; Figure 5 - illustrates a simplified diagram of how signaling and elective image registration work on the blockchain; Figure 6 - illustrates a simplified diagram of how the analyses of management, social and environmental situations work and how the results are recorded on the blockchain; Figure 7 illustrates a simplified diagram of how the certificate issuance process works. Brief description of the drawings

[079] Figure 1 shows an illustration that presents the macro flow of the process of the present invention with the following sequence: an application (4) that is installed on an enabled device (1), with active geolocation (7), has functionalities to receive data relating to people, properties (2) and herds (3), and capture geolocated images (7) of herds (3), these images are called qualified images, there is also a functionality that allows the insertion of images obtained from other resources than the enabled device, such as drones (8), these images are called elective images, the images, despite the denomination, as well as the other data, are recorded in a public blockchain (6), with the possibility of consultation and auditing, allowing the tracking of the entire life cycle of the animals.

[080] Figure 2 shows a simplified diagram of how data collection works, relating to the start of registration and updates and image capture / insertion.

[081] Figure 3 shows a simplified diagram of the image capture / insertion validation operation.

[082] Figure 4 shows a simplified diagram of the signaling and recording. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 16 / 21 14 / 14 qualified image on the blockchain.

[083] Figure 5 shows a simplified diagram of how signaling and elective image registration work on the blockchain.

[084] Figure 6 shows a simplified diagram of how the analyses of management, social and environmental situations work and how the result is recorded on the blockchain.

[085] Figure 7 shows a simplified diagram of how the certificate issuance process works. Petition 870260010726, dated 04 / 02 / 2026, page 17 / 21

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle, characterized by comprising a mobile device (1), on which an application (4) is installed which then controls the activities of the device (1), being called an enabled device, with resources for including data from the property (2), the herd (3) and the owner of both; tracking is carried out by acquiring images of the herd (3);These images, generated in digital format, contain data on the geolocation of their point of capture, linking it to the date and time of their occurrence. The first insertion of data that qualifies all participants is mandatory. Periodically, images of the cattle (3) are captured by the enabled device (1), duly geolocated, with date / time, and these are recorded in a public blockchain (6). This allows the identification of cattle management conditions due to the mandatory geolocation rule. This set of textual and image data constitutes a dossier of the entire life cycle of the animals (3), allowing their movements through socio-environmentally legal or illegal areas to be known, creating a unique database.

2. Digital System and Method for Digital Cattle Tracking, according to claim 1, characterized by using technological resources, mobile devices, and market-standard communication infrastructure, requiring no specialization in terms of equipment or operation.

3. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized by considering a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days for capturing a new image of the cattle.

4. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized in that the cattle may be of the breeding type, for milk production or for slaughter.

5. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized by considering the product's life cycle, and its tracking is carried out from a set of data that qualify property, owner and herd. Petition 870250078384, dated 02 / 09 / 2025, page 11 / 35 2 / 3 6. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized by allowing monitoring of the cattle's evolution, as well as other socio-environmental conditions, health events, and their management.

7. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized by using images captured under the application that are qualified, as they guarantee the reliability of the information.

8. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claim 1, characterized by allowing the retrieval of recorded information in order to assess the conditions to which the herd was subjected.

9. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 characterized by, if requested by an interested party, and if the conditions are met, issuing a certificate.

10. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by allowing the insertion of images not generated under the control of the APP, which are then inserted in the form of an upload, electively.

11. Digital System and Method for Cattle Tracking according to claim 10 characterized by considering that images not generated under the control of the APP, inserted in the form of an upload, are stored on the blockchain, for documentation support purposes, and are not considered for certification purposes.

12. Digital System and Method for Tracking Cattle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by being a universal and voluntary tracking system.

13. Method for Digital System and Method for Cattle Tracking characterized by being carried out under an APP installed on a device enabled by the fact that it includes the following steps: a. collecting data from the owner, property and herd; b. capturing images of the herd which may contain from 1 to N individuals; Petition 870250078384, dated 02 / 09 / 2025, page 12 / 35 3 / 3 c. once this phase is completed, this data set is recorded on the blockchain; d. the data relating to the property are verified according to good agricultural practices and respect for legal and socio-environmental conditions; e. Information regarding the health and management of the herd is part of the obligations; f. qualified images must be captured under APP within 30 (thirty) consecutive days, counted from the previous capture; g. elective images may be inserted via upload; h. Images (qualified and elective) are verified with regard to geolocation and proximity to the property (up to 2 km); i.Each new image is recorded on the blockchain, always chained in chronological order; j. With each image collection, the method is called, supporting the analysis of the handling, especially if the cattle were moved respecting all legal rules (social, environmental and handling), generating a signal (Legal x Illegal); k. The result of this analysis is always recorded on the blockchain in the same chain of the block order (precedent); l. Due to the notorious technical attributes of the blockchain, available through the (transparent) APP, it is possible to follow the entire life cycle of the product, from the initial data, its images, as well as the result of the analyses; m. This cycle of inserting images, data and analysis occurs until an offer is accepted by an offeror and the product is picked up by the buyer; n.Based on the dataset linked to the herd and the updates of qualified images, the system can issue a certificate stating that the herd has met good agricultural, social, and environmental practices. Petition 870250078384, dated 02 / 09 / 2025, page 13 / 35.

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