On this episode of The Iowa Ag Podcast, I sit down with Yale Zhang, a serial entrepreneur whose journey took a surprising turn from human healthcare tech to revolutionizing livestock management. Initially developing sensors to monitor seniors in assisted living, Zhang's company, Seismi, struggled to gain traction—until an unexpected opportunity in animal health changed everything. Now, he's tackling one of the beef industry's biggest challenges: bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which costs producers billions each year. His innovative ear tag sensor detects illness earlier than traditional methods, helping farmers reduce cattle losses, improve treatment effectiveness, and boost profitability.

But there’s a twist—just as Seismi secured USDA grant funding for critical research, the federal budget freeze halted it indefinitely. In this episode, Zhang shares how his team is adapting, why early disease detection is a game-changer for agriculture, and what this technology means for the future of the beef industry. Whether you’re in ag tech, cattle production, or just love a good entrepreneurial pivot, this episode is packed with insight and innovation you don’t want to miss!

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/yale-zhang-smart-ear-tags-for-cattle