Ear tags that detect sick cattle will use radio frequency technology developed by semi-conductor manufacturer Semtech Corp., the company announced Thursday. Quantified Ag, a startup in Lincoln, Neb., makes the tags and chose Camarillo-based Semtech long-range wireless technology for its range, reduced interference and long battery life after extensive testing for use on ranches and feedlots. Sensors in the tags monitor the health of cattle and that information is made available to smartphones, tablets or secure website. That information allows sick animals to be treated sooner and lessens the risk of ranchers losing them to illness. Hardy Schmidbauer, director of wireless products at Semtech, said that agriculture applications are an ideal fit for the company’s long-range wireless technology. “The Qualified Ag solution is a great example of how sensor monitoring solutions in agriculture can significantly improve productivity and return on investment,” Schmidbauer said in a prepared statement. Shares closed up 5 cents, or less than a percent, to $21.99 on the Nasdaq.