Aussie livestock tech company tags Johnson County for its new North American HQ

January 29, 2025  |  Startland News Staff

David and Melita Smith, Ceres Tag; courtesy photo

An Australian leader in direct-to-satellite animal monitoring technology announced its plans Wednesday to establish North American headquarters at the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park — bringing a half-dozen jobs and paving the way for more tech innovators from Australia to land in the local market.

“The Kansas City region was the clear choice,” said David Smith, founder and CEO of Ceres Tag, which makes durable, solar-charged smart monitoring sensors that can be attached to wildlife or livestock. “This region offers the perfect environment to grow our presence and deliver our groundbreaking technology — poised to transform animal health science for businesses across North America.”

Ceres Tag flagship product; courtesy image

Founded by Smith and his wife, Melita, in 2016, the company offers insights previously unavailable to farmers, ranchers and wildlife managers to improve productivity, profits and conservation. By delivering plug-and-play solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing software systems, Ceres Tag empowers a variety of end-users with a scalable and less-intrusive approach to animal monitoring, boosting productivity and profitability.

Its new headquarters will initially support four to six employees, with additional sales representatives positioned strategically across the United States.

The move further strengthens the Kansas City region as a hub for animal health technology and innovation, said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

“Ceres Tag’s investment in our region reinforces our global reputation as a leader in animal health innovation,” she explained. “Representing 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales, the Animal Health Corridor is home to some of the most cutting-edge technology in our industry, and we’re thrilled to welcome Ceres Tag to our robust network.”

With headquarters in Kansas City, Ceres Tag is actively seeking partnerships with businesses across the animal health sector to enhance insights and improve customer outcomes.

Young animal health professionals, digital natives with a heightened focus on animal welfare, represent a key demographic for Ceres Tag’s technology, the company said. By improving market access and providing unprecedented insights into animal health and performance, Ceres Tag equips ranchers, farmers and more with the tools they need to adapt to evolving industry demands and ensure optimized solutions for their own businesses and customers.

Click here to learn more about Ceres Tag.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2025 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    North Kansas City to receive area’s largest coworking studio

    By Tommy Felts | June 29, 2016

    North Kansas City will soon boast the metro’s largest coworking facility. The first shared workspace in North Kansas City, iWerx’s massive 33,000-square-feet facility is scheduled to open in July for entrepreneurs hoping to work in a community of innovators. iWerx also will house a business incubator that hopes foster entrepreneurial vibrancy in North Kansas City.…

    Gallery: The 2016 Kansas City Maker Faire

    By Tommy Felts | June 28, 2016

    Kansas City creativity was on full display at the 2016 Maker Faire. To learn more about the event, check out this video from Startland News.

    New Kansas City incubator focuses on energy startups

    By Tommy Felts | June 28, 2016

    Kansas City now has a new sandbox to play in. Digital Sandbox KC on Tuesday announced the launch of Energy Sandbox. Similar to Digital Sandbox, Energy Sandbox aims to provide proof-of-concept resources to early-stage entrepreneurs — but this time, it will be for startups in the energy sector, rather than tech. Energy Sandbox will partner…

    A festival of creativity, the Kansas City Maker Faire inspires yet again

    By Tommy Felts | June 27, 2016

    The Kansas City Maker Faire affords an amalgam of ingenuity, nerdom and unbridled creativity  What do I mean? Let me paint a picture of the first 20 minutes I spent moseying through Union Station. I waited in line for coffee with Start Wars villain Kylo Ren (ironically he enjoyed a light roast). An affectionate hippogriff nuzzled my…