Development and Trial Launch of App for Estimating Cattle Weight

Sep. 04, 2025
Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni, in collaboration with Hutzper Inc., has developed the “BeecoProgram 3D Scanner” (trademark pending; hereinafter, the “app”), an iOS app that can estimate cattle weight using only a smartphone^*¹. Trial access for dairy and livestock industry partners will commence in October 2025^*2.

Features of the App

The first Japanese app capable of estimating the weight of Japan’s three major cattle breeds (Japanese Black, Holstein, and the crossbreed of the two breeds) using only a single, side-view angle image captured by an iPhone Pro camera^*³
Utilizes AI-powered image recognition technology and machine learning models to achieve high-precision estimates with an average error rate of 4.2%^*⁴
Trained on weight data from approximately 7,100 photos (as of April 30, 2025), enabling estimates in as fast as 0.2 seconds
Integration with the dairy and livestock industry database, “BeecoProgram,^*⁵” facilitates the extraction of individual cow information and weight data analysis, which allows for the visualization of cattle growth status

Background and Significance
In Japan’s dairy and livestock industry, the worsening labor shortage due to an aging and declining population has made improving efficiency and productivity at work sites an urgent priority. Accurately tracking growth through weight management is a critical factor for boosting productivity. However, weighing individual cattle, with weights reaching up to 900 kg, by manually placing them on a scale is labor intensive and currently not being performed adequately. This app enables easy and efficient weight estimation, and, by collecting and utilizing weight data, it can visualize cattle growth―previously based on worker intuition and experience―and enable efficient feeding management aligned with growth stages as well as help optimize shipping timing.

Future Outlook
Marubeni will work towards the verification of this app for widespread use, aiming to build a sustainable food supply chain while helping create a dairy and livestock industry the next generation can look forward to.

^*1 Requires an iPhone 13 Pro or newer version, and iOS 18.5 or later version.
^*2 Trial for select users starting October 2025, followed by a phased rollout of the paid service.
^*3 As of July 29, 2025, according to Japan First Research Institute LLC.
^*4Average error rate as of April 2025 under specified criteria. Significant errors may occur depending on the shooting environment, user posture, feeding status of cattle, or unrecognized weight ranges.
^*5BeecoProgram website: https://beeco.eco/

Overview of Hutzper, Inc.

Company Name:	Hutzper Inc.
Head Office:	Shinosaka-CSP building North-4F, 1-11-16 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, 532-0011, Japan
Establishment:	2020
Representative:	Hiro Onishi
Main Business:	Providing AI services for manufacturing industry
Website:	https://hutzper.com/en/