RFID Animal Tracking Technology and the USDA

Current methods of livestock identification include but are not limited to ear tags, back tags, neck chains, tail tags, freeze brands, tattoos, paint marks, and leg bands. Electronic identification methods including bar codes and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders are becoming increasingly useful tools in herd management programs. As these new technologies develop and become compatible with one another, they may prove to be cost-effective tools to increase the efficiency of production. Similarly, regulatory agencies may benefit from these systems through increased accuracy and efficiency of tracing the movement of livestock.

The current primary driving forces behind the development of livestock identification systems are based on recognized industry needs. They include disease control and eradication, disease surveillance and monitoring, emergency response to foreign animal diseases, regionalization, global trade, livestock production efficiency, consumer concerns over food safety, and emergency management programs.

Animal tracking and Identification Equipment: Anilog2050 Electronic ISO Tag Reader: The Anilog 2050 is a hand held data logger which allows the power of the office PC to be taken into the stockyard. Its ideal use is as a daily diary of events. The Anilog 2050 is compatible with companion software, Anidata, which holds the details of a herd or herds of animals.

Anilog Portal RFID Antenna: The Oxley Anilog Portal Antenna attaches to the SENTRY series of RFID Tag Readers for applications where electronic tag reader systems are permanently installed and integrated into control and monitoring systems. The Anilog Portal Antenna has been designed specifically for walk-through use with cattle and the Allflex range of Electronic Ear Tags. The portal construction houses a wire loop antenna which emits an RF field to detect any TIRIS tag within typically 1m range.

AniData SIS Experts: The Anidata SIS Experts integrate Anidata 3.5 with the British Cattle Movement Service’s Cattle Tracing System and allow you to easily and speedily convey cattle movement infor-mation to BCMS. The system makes it possible to eliminate the laborious handwritten forms and processes you have been used to - ensuring efficient and accurate recording of cattle movements using electronic tags and hand-held tag readers which can upload the stored information into your computer.

Texas Instruments RFID tags are being used to identify millions of livestock animals around the world. These systems track meat and dairy animals, valuable breeding stock and laboratory animals involved in lengthy and expensive research projects. With the chips in an electronic ear tag or inserted into the rectum of ruminant animals, farm management and data collection can be fully automated for such processes as feeding, weighing, disease control, subsidies, and breeding practices as well as quality and tracebility assurance.

Radio Frequency ID of Animals, Code Structure (ISO Standard 11784)—Specifies the RFID code for use with animals. Contains the structure of the radio-frequency identification code for animals. Does not specify the characteristics of the transmission protocols between transponder and transceiver. Replaces the first edition.