Solution Topics

IP Video Surveillance for Farms

Topic: Farming

Agriculture is the backbone of society. As a provider of food, any loss to your farm is also a loss to the community at large. Ensuring that your farm is protected from potential intruders is of great importance. An IP video surveillance system is a great way of protecting your animals and crops from any malevolent intruders.

Benefits of Video Surveillance

Video surveillance has a number of benefits for your farm. Properly located cameras can deter potential thieves or vandals from even entering the premises. Should an intruder enter, video cameras can alert you immediately to their presence and give you the opportunity to send in security or alert the proper authorities.

The use of security cameras can also help with the monitoring of animals. Should one of your animals somehow hurt itself or become ill, you can keep track of their condition through the remote monitoring provided by your cameras.

In addition, video cameras can be used to monitor daily operations. Milking of the cows, gathering eggs, etc. You can also keep an eye on your employees and ensure they are acting properly throughout the day.

Why IP Cameras?

Traditionally, video surveillance has been done with analog CCTV (Closed-Circuit TeleVision) cameras. Technology, however, has progressed greatly over the past twenty years, and IP cameras have taken over as the cutting edge of video surveillance technology.

One of the great advantages of IP surveillance cameras is their potential for remote monitoring. CCTV cameras are bound by coaxial cables and must be physically connected directly to monitors in order to view the feed. IP cameras, however, have built in web servers, and transmit video over IP (Internet Protocol) networks. Thus, cameras need only be physically connected to a modem and monitoring can be done from any computer with an internet connection.

Software is another advantage of IP cameras. Because the IP cameras transmit a digital video signal, it works easily with a number of specially designed software programs. Often this software is built directly into the camera. IP software can include things such as object recognition, motion detection, automatic alerts and much, much more.

Where to Install IP Video Cameras

There are several questions you should consider when installing a video surveillance system for your farm. Is there a history of theft and/or vandalism in the area? What areas do you consider to be most vulnerable? Which areas do you think require the most monitoring?

Some major areas to consider placing cameras are: driveways, barns, tool shops, gates, calving pens, holding pens, grain silos, vehicle garages, etc. Any major point of entry to the property or area of interest such as the barns and tool shops should be covered.

Interior locations should be well-covered. For exterior locations, make sure that you use cameras designed to weather the elements. Interior cameras can often be damaged by major fluctuations in temperature, rain, etc. Outdoor cameras are specifically designed to be able to withstand inclement weather.

Other Considerations

Remember to provide some measure of privacy for your employees. While employee observation might be one of your reasons for installing a surveillance system, employees do not need to be monitored at all times.

Keep cameras in difficult to reach areas. Vandals and thieves might try to target cameras when trespassing on your property. While keeping them visible can help to deter them, try not to make them too easily accessible.