Animal Identification: Benefits of RFID

Animal identification requires the basics of a visual ID tag and animal management software. Going beyond the basics of visual ID tags, shows management benefits which prove overall cost reduction of animal management.

Using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for animal identification, provides more in depth knowledge, easier traceability and reliable information overall.

The following video, is one of a series of videos, dedicated to animal identification. The videos demonstrate firsthand, in the field the benefits of using RFID tags, RFID readers, and animal management software.

 

Benefits of RFID Tagging.

By Livestock-ID, Copyright 2013

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CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) has a list of approved RFID tags and approved readers for the Canadian livestock industry. Both tags and readers have gone through field testing with pilot projects and are approved for the Canadian climate and requirements of the Canadian cattle industry.

If you’re looking for the official list of CCIA Approved Tags, you can find the list here.

CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers:

Aleis 9030 RFID handheld reader, is the most advanced stand alone RFID reader on the market. Any animal event can be entered on the reader, in the field, without the need of a handheld device.
Agrident AIR 100 RFID Reader, is an actual RFID reader module, that easily integrates with a Psion Teklogix Workabout Pro. The AIR 100 Ad-on readers provide a great solution to the Workabout Pro handhelds, where you can use mobile cattle or sheep management software.
Agrident AIR 200 RFID Reader, is the same as the AIR 100 module, with the difference being its telescopic antenna. Agrident has three different versions of their telescopic antenna’s, including a handheld external antenna style stick.
Agrident AWR RFID Stick Reader, is their most rugged RFID stick reader designed to be used in harsh environments. The AWR 200 reader comes with Bluetooth, the AWR 100 reader is just a straight stick reader, with serial connection.
Allflex RS250 RFID Stick Reader, the infamous grey stick, is one of Allflex’s cost effective basic RFID stick reader. The RS250 stick reader, is designed just to read tags, nothing more. If you’re looking for just a reliable reader to scan a tag only, this is the reader.
Allflex RS320-3-60 Yellow Stick is an ISO RFID Stick Reader. The reader comes in two different sizes, with Bluetooth, or basic serial connection. The read has a memory of 5000 tags, its lightweight and ergonomically designed for easy use. The Allflex yellow stick RFID reader is the most popular stick reader on the market.
Destron DTR-4 RFID Reader, also known as the paddle or wand reader, is a reliable reader with an added function, that no other reader has. The DTR-4 comes with Bluetooth, easy to read screen, and has the added function of Bio-Thermo technology, which reads internal temperature of an animal, with the Bio-Thermo LifeChips.
Gallagher Smartreader HR3 RFID Reader, is a lightweight reader, with protective hand guard, and trigger action to read tags. Readers come with Bluetooth, and internal tag memory of 2000 tags. The HR3 has a bright LCD screen at the handle of the reader. Reader is Compatible with Gallagher SmartScale series scales.
I.D. ology Lightning ROD RFID Reader, comes with Bluetooth, LCD screen, and the reader is lightweight. The reader has lightning fast connectivity with devices, and reconnects automatically, if the reader gets in and out of range with the connected device (Computer or Scale).

All CCIA approved RFID handheld readers, read all CCIA Approved RFID tags, which include HDX and FDX-B ear tags, and injectable tags. The approved readers will read all popular RFID / EID ear tags, and leg tags from all major manufacturers, even ones, that are not on the CCIA approved tag list.

The handheld wand and stick readers are all ISO RFID readers, reading the standard EID tag technology of ISO 11784 and 11785

Want more in-depth details on these animal ID readers? Join our Livestock ID newsletter for future issues, which will go into thorough detail on each reader. You can sign-up now here.

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By George Luker © Copyright 2011 Livestock-ID

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Cattle EID on the way for the UK

The UK farming industry welcomed the European Commissions’ proposal to move forward with Cattle EID. The EC made the announcement earlier this week on the need for bovine traceability, and also made recommendations for a much needed real time livestock database.

In its proposal the European Commission recommended a voluntary electronic identification system for all cattle. Several European countries currently use a voluntary EID system for ranch management purposes, which also provides an existing platform of identification for movement of bovine through its borders.

Members of the European Union mentioned that an implementation of a fully compliant EID system for cattle in the UK would strengthen the current traceability system for beef cattle and food products; making it faster and with accuracy.

In order to move quickly and give UK cattle producers an incentive to use EID, the EU has urged the UK government to allocated funds for initial grants for EID traceability to the bovine industry. The grants would be needed for cattle producers to purchase the necessary hardware for EID management, which would initially be for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers.

Electronic identification (EID) tagging in sheep and goats in the UK has been mandatory since 2010, along with individual recording of each animal.

What is an EID Tag?

EID is an acronym for Electronic Identification, which is a term used for scanning or reading the identification number of an object with an electronic device or EID reader, which works the same way as a barcode scanner.

EID uses RFID as the technology used to read the identification, like a barcode scanner, RFID uses radio frequency to read the identification of a tag.

An EID tag is another term used for RFID tags, in this case an EID ear tag is the same as an RFID button tag or RFID ear tag.

Bovine EID:

Bovine EID would be the next logical step for a complete and accurate traceability system with agricultures most valued commodity.

Bovine EID makes perfect sense in a country, where Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) also known as Mad Cows disease has the highest known cases for the fatal animal disease.

When BSE was discovered in the UK, not only did it cause many deaths directly related from infected cattle, it also created a financial crises on the UK beef cattle industry. At the time of the outbreak, the UK had confirmed more than 180 000 cattle had been diagnosed with BSE, which resulted in an initial slaughter of over 4 million cattle, in an effort to eradicate the disease.

© Copyright 2011 Livestock-ID

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Approved Canadian Cattle RFID Ear Tags

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

is an industry initiated and established organization that manages the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) A trace back system designed for the containment and eradication of animal disease. Established in 1998, CCIA has developed the only mandatory national cattle identification program for the cattle industry and works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure the food safety of the Canadian cattle industry.

For a complete list of CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers you can find the official list here.

In Canada there are six official RFID cattle ear tags that are approved by the CCIA. These are the official tags that must be used for the Cattle Identification Program in Canada.

Allflex HDX

Allflex FDX

Destron etag FDX

Reyflex

Y-Tex TechStar II Tag FDX

Zee Tags FDX

 

Allflex HDX                Allflex FDX

               Destron eTag FDX 

 

Reyflex FDX                 Y-Tex TechStar FDX    Zee Tags FDX

These tags have been tested under trial conditions and have met the Program’s criteria for retention, readability and ability to withstand tampering and environmental conditions.

Cattle ear tags are available through retailers of farm supplies, veterinarians, and other industry organizations.

If you are looking for a reseller in your location, please feel free to send me an email.

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

is an industry initiated and established organization. To inquire more about the approved cattle tags, or the Canadian Livestock Tracking System, they can be contacted at (877) 909-2333

Click on the following link for a listing of the USDA approved RFID ear tags,

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© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

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