Information Technology notes August 2008
Electronic Identification (EID)
Many farmers will have heard EID mentioned over the last few months. EID is simply using an microchip, or electronic transponder, attached to a tag, bolus or implant to identify a farm animal.
A Northern Ireland cattle industry working group is currently developing systems to allow all cattle in NI to be electronically identified. It is expected that, by September, Northern Ireland abattoirs will be requiring cattle presented for slaughter to have EID tags.
Approved EID tags used in Northern Ireland cattle will be button or small tags which are the same as standard cattle tags except that it contains a small electronic transponder or microchip. Each transponder is permanently coded with a unique electronic number. This unique number will be linked to the animal’s official individual animal number on APHIS (Animal Public Health and Information System). The official animal number will be printed on the outside of the tag. All tags can be read manually as well as with an electronic reader.
The Technology
EID in animals is based on low frequency radio waves or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). A reader sends out a radio signal which is picked up by the microchip. The chip sends back the unique identity number. The reader transfers the unique number to a computer which uses it to store whatever information is necessary about the animal being identified.
RFID applications are becoming more common in all areas of industry where products need to be identified and traced. Examples include runners in the Belfast marathon who have RFID tags in their shoes which are read as they cross the start and finish line to record individual times for the race.
In farm situations there are several types of readers which can be used. Handheld readers can read successfully up to approximately 20cm from the tag. A fixed panel reader, located for example in a weigh crate or in an abattoir or mart race, should be capable of reading tags up to approximately 100cm.
Benefits
Electronically reading animal identities, rather than manually, can deliver many benefits for everyone handling animals.
Benefits of EID include:
- minimising the risks associated with reading tags manually at marts and meat plants.
- reducing in the time taken for animal disease tests and herd identity inspections.
- Improving safety through reduction in handling and reduced stress for the handler and for the animal.
Many farmers, particularly on pig and dairy units, have been using EID for many years. Farm management practices can be greatly improved through the use of EID systems.
Benefits of on farm use of EID:
- No paper work or transcription required thus improving ease, speed and accuracy of data collection.
- No direct animal contact is necessary to achieve accurate identification thus improving speed and safety of handling.
- Direct transfer to PC reducing time spent transcribing collected data.
- PC based management software allows powerful analysis of data to provide management information on which to base decisions relating to performance.
- Improved information flow allows more objective and timely decisions thus improving performance.
Making best use of the data available to you will require an knowledge of IT and some farm management or analysis software on your computer.
Costs
There is an initial cost as well as the benefits. EID tags currently cost approximately 50 pence more than a standard cattle tag.
If you choose to use electronic data collection or drafting systems on your farm you will need an EID reader. The most basic handheld versions start at about £300, going up to the models which include many more functions and computer power at around £1500. Fixed panel readers systems, depending on size, will range from approximately £1000 upwards. Software costs can be significant, depending on what information you want to collect, and costs for other electronic equipment, such as weighheads need to be taken into account when looking at a solution for your needs.
For a list of approved EID tags for cattle in Northern Ireland visit www.ruralni.gov.uk/tag-man-ni or for more information about the EID in cattle please contact Jason McFerran by email jason.mcferran@dardni.gov.uk or telephone on 028 9442 6810.
