On the sprawling ranchlands of Wyoming and Nebraska, ranchers often spend hours navigating rough terrain to check the water tanks, windmills and pumps that keep their cattle alive through dry summers. Having grown up on those same ranches, Josh Phifer, CEO of Barn Owl, knew the routine well. That daily grind inspired him to create Barn Owl, a solution that lets modern ranchers watch over their assets with a tap instead of a trip.
The company addresses visibility gaps with simple, standalone camera systems that monitor remote assets across ranches, farms, industrial sites and government facilities.
Julian Flores, MarketingBarn Owl is built on the core idea that managing distant assets should not depend on proximity or constant patrols. With its battery-and solar-powered cameras, users can observe equipment, livestock, or property from anywhere. These smart cameras connect via cellular, providing instant visual access and alerts without the need for power, Wi-Fi or on-site maintenance.
“We ship every camera as a ready-to-install kit sold directly or through retail partners. Each package includes solar panels, cables and mounts, allowing customers to set up and begin monitoring within minutes,” says Phifer.
To complete the package, users can reach Barn Owl’s responsive support by phone or email for quick help at any stage, from installation to everyday use.
Reliable Oversight across Every Distance
Barn Owl’s product lineup reflects simplicity and scale. Each camera is quick to deploy, rugged enough to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and solar-powered for long-term use. Different models are designed to meet specific needs, from overseeing livestock or water systems to large-scale operations that require intensive oversight.
Barn Owl’s most affordable and high-value offering, the RangeCam 2, delivers HD photos and videos straight to a rancher’s phone through its sharpest lens with a 90-foot reach. Equipped with advanced antenna technology, it connects to major and rural cellular carriers, activates without contracts and mounts on any surface for flexible placement. With customizable on-demand, scheduled and motion alerts, the camera becomes a versatile tool for monitoring water tanks, calving areas, equipment and other remote assets.
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We ship every camera as a ready-to-install kit sold directly or through retail partners. Each package includes solar panels, cables and mounts, allowing customers to set up and begin monitoring within minutes.
One level up is the RangeCam Live, offering everything RangeCam 2 does, with the added ability to livestream in HD with audio. Users can open a live feed instantly through the app and respond to whatever is unfolding, whether it’s a predator near calves, a trespasser at a gate, or a rustling incident in progress. This immediacy makes it well-suited for indoor calving setups and a strong tool for strengthening security and deterrence across rural properties.
From Ranch Roots to the Cloud
Smart surveillance is about how data is secured. As Barn Owl’s systems depend on cellular and satellite networks, digital protection is as critical as physical deterrence. Its approach covers both fronts. Systems serve as a visible barrier and an active detection tool, using infrared sensors to spot motion and intrusions.
At the backend, every software component is developed and hosted by the US engineers who adhere to government-grade cybersecurity standards required for its federal contracts. Whether users watch over an open ranch, a family farm or a remote industrial site, every transmission and alert is protected throughout the process, ensuring the information reaches the user as intended.
Barn Owl has truly proved itself to be the much-needed disruptor, “the dew in the desert,” in places where miles often separate people from their property. What started as one rancher’s idea to save time has been conceptualized into a platform that helps fellow ranchers connect with the land they manage, powered by technology that’s simple, reliable, and built for the real world.