iLivestock News

The iLivestock team has spent the summer meeting farmers at agricultural events across the UK, demonstrating new technology and working alongside partners from Britain and further afield.

From Scotland to England and Wales, the shows have given us the chance to speak directly with livestock producers, learn more about the pressures they face and show how digital tools can make everyday livestock management easier.

They also gave visitors the opportunity to take part in one of our most popular show activities yet.

A 74kg pull tops the leaderboard

The iLivestock Farmer Strength Challenge invited visitors to test their pulling power using the same technology designed to support livestock weighing.

An eWeighCell was connected to an eWeigh indicator and the iLivestock app, allowing each attempt to be measured accurately in kilograms of force.

Competition was fierce, but Graham Turner, known on Instagram as @chapping_n_chopping⁠, finished the summer at the top of the leaderboard with a pull of 74kg.

His prize included an iLivestock hoodie, an iLivestock software package and a pair of boots supplied by challenge partner Ariat Europe⁠. The leaderboard remains open, with the challenge set to return at selected events later in the year.

More than a showground challenge

While the competition created plenty of laughs and determined faces, it also offered a simple demonstration of how the iLivestock weighing system works.

The eWeighCell can help convert compatible spring and dial weighing equipment into a digital setup. When used with an iLivestock indicator and the app, livestock weights can be captured electronically and linked with wider animal records.

This helps farmers gather useful information as they work, without introducing unnecessary extra administration.

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Working with partners across the industry

Our presence at this year’s events has been supported by a wide network of partners and agricultural organisations. We would like to thank Ariat Europe, our UK trade partners, international distributors, show teams and livestock and breeding societies for their continued support.

Their local knowledge and industry connections help us bring iLivestock products closer to farmers in the UK while also supporting livestock businesses in markets around the world.

Where to see iLivestock next

The show calendar continues throughout the autumn, with iLivestock attending or being represented at events in the UK, Canada and Germany.

• Border Union Kelso Ram Sales - 11 September, UK
• Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show - 15-17 September, Canada
• NSA South East Farm Days - 23-24 September, UK
• Highland Cattle Society Autumn Show and Sale - 11-12 October, UK
• Borderway Agri Expo - 30 October, UK
• EuroTier - 10-13 November, Germany
• AgriScot - 18 November, UK
• Royal Welsh Winter Fair - 30 November, UK

Meet the team

If you are attending one of these events, visit the iLivestock stand to see our technology in action, discover our latest products, talk about partnership opportunities or test your strength against the current 74kg record. Follow @ilivestock_team on Instagram⁠ for show updates, leaderboard results and behind the scenes content from the team.

Unable to attend? We are always happy to discuss product enquiries, demonstrations, distribution opportunities or ways iLivestock could support your livestock operation.

📞 +44 138 332 4358
✉️ [email protected]

From conversations with producers to discussions around electronic identification, Expo Rural 2026 highlighted why Argentina is becoming an exciting market for precision livestock farming.

During the week of 20–24 July, iLivestock CEO Ewen Wardman travelled to Buenos Aires to attend Expo Rural 2026⁠ alongside our exclusive Argentine partner, VILLANUEVA⁠.

As one of the country’s largest and most influential agricultural and livestock exhibitions, Expo Rural brings together producers, industry leaders and technology providers to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector.

For iLivestock, it was an excellent opportunity to meet producers, strengthen relationships and showcase how connected livestock technology can support the next generation of farming in Argentina.

A conversation beyond compliance

A key highlight of the week was Ewen’s presentation with Alfonso Ramiro Cebral, Livestock Business Unit Manager at VILLANUEVA.

Together they explored how electronic identification, connected weighing systems and real-time livestock management software can help producers move beyond basic traceability.

The discussion focused on a practical message: while Argentina’s new electronic identification (EID) requirements⁠ introduce an important compliance obligation, the real value lies in the data producers collect every day.

When identification, weighing and farm records are connected, that information becomes a powerful tool for improving productivity, monitoring performance and making better management decisions.

For a deeper look at the regulations and what they mean for producers, read our guide to Argentina’s EID mandate⁠.

Strengthening local partnerships

Expo Rural also reinforced the importance of strong local partnerships.

Working alongside VILLANUEVA, iLivestock is helping bring integrated livestock technology to producers across Argentina through local expertise, technical support and industry knowledge.

The partnership combines VILLANUEVA’s extensive experience in the Argentine livestock sector with iLivestock’s connected ecosystem of RFID readers, weighing systems and livestock management software.

Throughout the exhibition, the team welcomed visitors to discuss how connected technology can fit into everyday farm operations and help producers make better use of livestock data.

A special thank you goes to Federico Perez Wodtke, Alfonso Ramiro Cabral, Matias Soto, and the entire VILLANUEVA team for their hospitality and collaboration throughout the week.

We were also pleased to connect with representatives from the British Embassy in Argentina⁠, reinforcing the growing relationship between UK agricultural technology and Argentina’s livestock sector.

Looking ahead

Expo Rural 2026 confirmed what we’ve been seeing across Argentina: producers are increasingly looking for practical technology that delivers value beyond compliance.

With mandatory electronic identification now becoming a reality, the focus is shifting towards making better use of livestock data to improve efficiency, animal performance and profitability.

We’re excited to continue working with VILLANUEVA and producers across the country, helping ensure that the transition to EID also becomes a step towards smarter, more connected livestock management.

If you have been approved for a farm equipment grant in England or Wales, the next step is choosing equipment that will genuinely improve the way you work. For many livestock farmers, that means looking at how weighing, EID and animal records can work together more efficiently.

Support available in England and Wales

In England, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund can contribute 50% of the eligible cost of approved equipment. In Wales, Small Grants Efficiency can contribute 40% towards eligible items.

Depending on your grant offer, supported equipment may include:

• digital weigh heads
• EID readers
• weigh bars
• sheep weighing systems

These tools can make it easier to capture accurate weights, reduce paperwork and keep better track of individual animals.

Equipment that works together

Rather than treating weighing and identification as separate jobs, iLivestock packages are designed to connect the process.

You can read an animal’s EID tag, record its weight and keep the information linked to the correct animal, helping you make quicker and better informed decisions about your flock or herd.

Packages are available for farmers in both England and Wales, with equipment matched to relevant scheme categories.

Ready to choose your equipment?

Take a closer look at the available packages and see what suits your farm and your grant requirements. You can also speak to the iLivestock team to talk through the options before placing your order.

🔗 iLivestock.com/grants

📞 01383 324 358

The Scottish Farmer featured iLivestock among the businesses providing livestock weighing and auto-weighing technology, highlighting the value of better information in monitoring animal performance, health and welfare.

Published in July 2025, the article explored how agri-tech could help Scottish farmers improve productivity, efficiency and environmental performance. Although it was written in the context of Scotland’s Future Farming Investment Scheme, many of the questions it raised remain relevant today.

Turning livestock information into better decisions

For sheep and cattle farmers, regular weight data can provide a clearer view of what is happening across a flock or herd. Instead of relying only on visual assessment or occasional manual checks, farmers can use individual-animal records to monitor growth, identify underperforming animals and review progress over time.

When weighing, EID and livestock records are connected, information becomes easier to capture and more useful in day-to-day management. This can support decisions around:

• growth and finishing performance;
• selection and breeding;
• health and welfare interventions;
• grouping and feeding; and
• the timing of sales or other management actions.

The value is not simply in collecting more data. It is in making that information practical and accessible when decisions are being made.

Technology should solve a real farm problem

The 2025 article also focused on return on investment. For any new equipment or system, farmers need to consider whether it reduces labour, saves time, improves accuracy or helps the business use inputs more effectively.

The most useful agri-tech is often not the most complex. It is technology that fits naturally into existing farm routines and makes an everyday task simpler. For livestock businesses, that may mean reducing repeated data entry, capturing weights more consistently or having clearer animal records available when they are needed.

A continuing direction across Britain

While the original article focused on Scotland, similar priorities can be seen in agricultural support elsewhere in Britain.

In England, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund includes eligible categories for livestock weighing, EID recording and related handling equipment. Alongside Small Grants – Efficiency in Wales and Scotland’s Future Farming Investment Scheme, it reflects a wider interest in technology that can improve farm productivity, efficiency and resilience.

Some iLivestock equipment packages align with eligible categories within these schemes, including livestock weighing and EID-related equipment. As each programme has its own specifications, deadlines and purchasing conditions, farmers should refer to the current guidance for their nation before making an investment decision.

The wider opportunity for livestock farming

The relevance of the Scottish Farmer article goes beyond the funding scheme that prompted it.

It reflects a broader shift towards livestock systems that combine practical husbandry with better individual-animal information. For many farmers, this is not about replacing experience. It is about supporting that experience with clearer records, stronger evidence and more timely information.

As livestock businesses continue to manage cost pressures, labour demands and changing environmental expectations, technology that improves visibility and simplifies decision-making remains an important part of the conversation.

We are pleased that iLivestock was included in that 2025 discussion about the future of livestock farming. Read the original article in The Scottish Farmer. Further information on livestock equipment packages linked to current grant schemes is available on the iLivestock grants campaign page.

Scottish agritech company iLivestock has shared how taking part in KPMG’s Tech Innovator competition delivered far more than industry recognition. The business was recently featured in The Scotsman in an article examining the role that business networks, accelerator programmes and innovation awards play in helping Scottish companies scale.

Rather than focusing solely on the visibility generated by such programmes, the article explored the practical value they can create through mentoring, investor preparation and access to specialist expertise.

A change of perspective

iLivestock CEO and Co-founder Ewen Wardman told The Scotsman that he had initially questioned whether accelerator programmes would be worth the time involved.

That view changed after iLivestock took part in KPMG’s Tech Innovator competition and was named the KPMG's Tech Innovator's Scotland regional winner in 2025.

Throughout the process, the business received feedback from mentors, advisers and judges, helping the team strengthen how it communicates its proposition to potential investors and strategic partners.

The support was particularly useful for a growing company navigating the demands of fundraising and international expansion.

Ewen described the experience as valuable because it provided access to experienced people who were genuinely interested in helping the business improve.

Connections beyond the competition

The benefits did not end when the competition concluded.

Through KPMG’s wider network, iLivestock was introduced to relevant specialists who could support the company as it entered new markets.

Following its expansion into Argentina, the business has worked with KPMG tax experts in the country, demonstrating how relationships formed through a UK innovation programme can lead to practical support overseas.

For iLivestock, this was an important example of how strong professional networks can reduce some of the friction involved in international growth.

Why networks matter for scaleups

Early-stage awards and accelerator schemes are often associated with publicity, pitch events and corporate branding.

However, their long-term value can lie in the introductions they create and the experience they make available to founders.

For scaleups such as iLivestock, access to advisers, investors and international contacts can be just as important as the award itself.

The company’s experience reflects the broader point made in The Scotsman: Scotland’s interconnected business, investment and technology community plays an important role in helping ambitious companies develop.

Growing from Scotland into international markets

Founded in Scotland, iLivestock develops connected livestock-management technology for sheep and cattle farmers.

Its software and hardware are designed to simplify livestock recording, improve access to animal-performance data and help farmers make better-informed management decisions.

As the company continues to expand internationally, the relationships developed through programmes such as KPMG’s Tech Innovator competition are helping support the next stage of its growth.

The original feature, written by Jeremy Grant, was published by The Scotsman on 10 July 2026 under the headline “Networks are the glue that holds Scotland’s businesses together.”

The full article is available to subscribers through The Scotsman.

iLivestock has released an updated Groups feature, giving farmers a clearer and more practical way to manage sheep and cattle in the mobile app.

Groups are used across many day-to-day livestock tasks, from breeding and treatments to performance monitoring, sales, movements, and general flock or herd management. The latest update makes it easier to see how groups are set up, check the animals within them, and take action when needed.

The new layout brings key group information closer to hand. Farmers can now see group and animal counts more clearly, helping them check stock numbers faster when working with breeding mobs, treatment groups, sale groups, grazing groups, or other working groups on farm.

In the next release, group detail pages will also be improved. Users will be able to access notes, group stats, animal lists, and relevant actions from a clearer screen, reducing the time spent moving between different parts of the app.

Animal lists within groups have been refreshed too, with search, filters, multi-select, and bulk actions available where supported. This gives farmers a quicker way to find animals and carry out common tasks across a group.

The update is part of iLivestock’s wider development work to keep the app practical, reliable, and ready for future improvements. As Groups are one of the core areas of the mobile app, the rebuild also helps create a stronger foundation for future updates to animal lists, group lists, and stock management tools.

The updated Groups feature is now rolling out in the iLivestock mobile app for customers in the UK, Argentina, Canada, France, the USA, Paraguay, and other countries.

More information

For more information or support using the groups feature, contact iLivestock at +44 1383 324 358, or email us at [email protected].

Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Business and Fair Work, visited iLivestock on Thursday 9 July 2026 as part of a Scottish Government summer tour focused on businesses supporting Scotland’s economic and innovation priorities.

The Minister was joined by Mark Lawson and Kirsty Macdonald from the Scottish Government. During the visit, he met iLivestock Co-Founders Ewen Wardman and Jamie Pugh to learn more about the company’s livestock technology, growth plans and role in the wider agri-tech sector.

iLivestock, the trading name of Duradiamond Software Ltd, develops software and connected hardware for sheep and beef farmers. Its platform helps farmers capture livestock data in real time, improve record keeping, support traceability and make more informed management decisions.

The visit included a tour of iLivestock’s office and manufacturing area, followed by a demonstration of the company’s livestock management platform. The demo showed how iLivestock’s smartphone and tablet-based software works with weighing and RFID/EID hardware in practical livestock handling settings.

Mr Arthur also saw the platform demonstrated alongside a Cowcatcher cattle crush supplied by Weber’s Farm Service, iLivestock’s exclusive distributor in Canada.

The session concluded with a discussion between the Minister, Ewen and Jamie on iLivestock’s future prospects, export activity, intellectual property, innovation roadmap and the opportunities for Scottish agri-tech businesses in the UK and international markets.

Ewen Wardman, CEO and Co-Founder of iLivestock, said:

“Tom Arthur’s visit gave us the chance to show how iLivestock is helping farmers use practical technology to solve everyday livestock management challenges.”

Jamie Pugh, CCO and Co-Founder of iLivestock, said:

“It was a valuable opportunity to discuss our growth plans and the role Scottish agri-tech can play in supporting modern livestock farming.”

iLivestock employs 21 people in Scotland and has more than 1.1 million animals recorded on its platform. The company continues to develop technology designed for real farming conditions, with ambitions to scale further across both domestic and international markets.

More information

Interested in learning more about iLivestock’s livestock management technology?

Our team would be pleased to discuss how iLivestock can support your farm, business or organisation.

iLivestock has added support for Northern Ireland’s updated XI/899 livestock identification format across its mobile apps, helping farmers keep pace with changing tagging requirements while maintaining accurate animal records.

The update supports Northern Ireland’s move from legacy UK-prefixed livestock tags to the new XI-prefixed visual tag format, with 899 used as the electronic identification prefix for Northern Ireland livestock. From 30 June 2025, newborn cattle, sheep and goats in Northern Ireland must be identified using XI-prefixed tags, while animals already correctly identified with UK tags generally do not need to be re-identified if remaining within the UK.

For iLivestock users, the change is built directly into everyday mobile workflows. Farmers can scan, enter, replace and import supported Northern Ireland tags through the app, reducing manual entry and helping ensure tag information is recorded consistently.

For sheep, supported 899 EID scans can generate the correct XI visual ID. Cattle workflows also support the new XI format, while respecting the separate numbering rules between cattle EID and visual ID.

The update applies across key areas of the iLivestock mobile apps, including adding animals, scanning tags, replacing lost tags, assigning new XI tags, managing unassigned tags, importing tags and working with eTagReader group imports.

Example supported Northern Ireland tag format:

• EID: 899 011222333444
• VID: XI0 11222333444

By supporting XI/899 tags, iLivestock helps farmers in Northern Ireland maintain accurate livestock records, improve traceability and stay aligned with evolving identification requirements. It also reflects iLivestock’s ongoing focus on reducing manual processes and delivering practical, connected tools for beef and sheep enterprises.

More information

Whether you’d like to learn more about Northern Ireland XI / 899 tag support or need a hand with iLivestock, we’d love to help. Give us a call at +44 1383 324 358, or email us at [email protected].

iLivestock is launching eWeighDS, its latest piece of connected livestock hardware, at the Royal Highland Show on 18 June 2026. The launch marks a landmark moment for the company on its home turf, as it continues to expand its integrated hardware and software ecosystem for cattle and sheep enterprises.

eWeighDS is a new digital weigh head designed to support accurate livestock weight capture at the point of handling. The device can be used as a standalone weigh head, with weights displayed clearly on screen, or connected to the iLivestock app to record individual animal weights and link them to wider livestock records, including performance, health, medicine, and traceability data.

The product is launching this week in the UK, Argentina, Canada, France and the USA, with rollout through iLivestock’s established distribution partners. Its introduction strengthens the company’s growing connected hardware range, which includes the eTagReader, eWeigh, and eWeighBars, and further supports iLivestock’s strategy of combining practical on-farm hardware with cloud-based livestock management software.

“We are excited to launch eWeighDS, the latest addition to the iLivestock hardware range, at the Royal Highland Show,” said Ewen Wardman, CEO & Co-founder at iLivestock. “This is a proud moment for the whole team. eWeighDS is fully integrated into the iLivestock ecosystem and helps farmers make better decisions by turning accurate weight capture into usable animal-level data.”

By linking weighing hardware, electronic identification, and software records, iLivestock helps improve the accuracy, accessibility, and value of livestock data. This is increasingly important as global livestock markets place greater emphasis on digital traceability, regulatory compliance, animal health, productivity, and supply chain transparency.

The launch reflects iLivestock’s continued investment in connected livestock technology and its focus on developing globally relevant products that can be deployed across multiple markets with limited localisation. Designed for cattle and sheep enterprises, the platform supports a range of production systems and can be adapted to local market requirements, including language, currency, and regulatory integrations where required.

As the livestock sector continues to move towards more connected, data-driven systems, iLivestock is building a practical technology platform that links hardware, software, and animal-level insight. The addition of eWeighDS further strengthens the company’s position as an international provider of integrated livestock management technology.

More information

Whether you are exploring connected weighing, looking to strengthen livestock traceability, or interested in introducing eWeighDS in your region, our team would be pleased to discuss how iLivestock can support you. Give us a call at +44 1383 324 358, or email us at [email protected].

Agricultural events remain one of the most valuable opportunities for farmers to experience new technology first-hand, and throughout 2026, iLivestock is working with partners around the world to do exactly that.

From local livestock shows and field days to international agricultural exhibitions, iLivestock technology will be showcased across multiple continents through a growing network of distributors, resellers and industry partners. Together, we’re helping livestock producers discover practical tools that simplify data collection, improve animal management and support better decision-making on farm.

Expanding through trusted partnerships

A key part of iLivestock’s international growth strategy is working with partners who understand the needs of livestock farmers in their local markets.

This year, companies including Villanueva, Carpat AgriTech, Agritubel/Andrieu, Weber Farm Services, Twin Clover Equipment and Covépa will be representing iLivestock at a variety of agricultural events across Europe, North America and South America.

By combining local expertise with innovative livestock technology, these partnerships help ensure farmers have access to practical solutions, product support and demonstrations wherever they are based.

Technology in action

While digital tools continue to transform agriculture, seeing technology perform in real-world farming environments remains essential.

Throughout the season, visitors will have opportunities to see iLivestock weighing systems, EID solutions and livestock management software in action. Live demonstrations allow farmers to explore how data can be captured directly in the field and used to improve efficiency, performance monitoring and record keeping.

The 2026 event programme will also feature the introduction of new iLivestock technology, further strengthening the company’s ecosystem of connected livestock management tools.

Strengthening industry relationships

Beyond product demonstrations, events provide an important platform for collaboration across the agricultural sector.

This year, iLivestock is also working alongside Ariat Europe on a major marketing collaboration designed to engage livestock producers across the UK. The campaign brings together two brands focused on supporting modern farming businesses and will create new opportunities to connect with producers through both digital and in-person activities.

Whether through distribution partners, agricultural organisations, breed societies or industry events, iLivestock remains committed to building long-term relationships that create value for farmers.

Connect with the team

Members of the iLivestock team will be attending events throughout the year and are always keen to speak with farmers, dealers, distributors and industry professionals. If you see us at an event, stop by for a demonstration or a conversation about how technology can support your livestock enterprise.

For product enquiries, partnership opportunities or general information, contact the team:

📞 +44 1383 324358
✉️ [email protected]