Cost-Effective RFID Animal Identification ...

From Hearings of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee - U.S. Senate ...

... "issue relates to species-specific implementation plans. There are vast differences between species including the diseases of concern, production practices, record keeping, animal movements, and animal value. For example, the cattle industry has embraced electronic ID eartags (RFID tags) as the identification device of choice for their species. The value of a single bovine coupled with the frequent commingling of animals from different owners make RFID a logical choice for their species. However, a $2.00 RFID tag is much less of an issue in an animal valued at $1200 versus a $90 animal. From another perspective, if cost of identification is based on breeding females, a cow has one calf per year and therefore the cost per cow is $2.00 per year. On the other hand, a sow will have 22-24 offspring per year and pork producers would have $44-$48 per breeding female per year in identification expenses. Group/lot ID is an effective identification system for swine due to production practices but not commonly applicable to bovine. In addition, many species don�t tolerate eartags (equine, llamas, etc.) It is important that all species are allowed to develop an effective yet affordable ID system. " ...