RFID enables buyer to know cattle history

Due to increased exports and diminishing cattle supply, the demand for source and age verified cattle are constantly growing, according to the Cattle Network. With that in mind, producers who wish to continue making money are faced with the dilemma of a need for method of verifying their cattle so that they can continue to remain in business.

The folks at AngusSource have developed a solution that will allow you to do just that. It’s Process Verified Program (PVP), Gateway that offers producers the ability to verify only the source and age of their calves.

Various options are available such as the RFID PCT tag, which is designed to meet the RFID requirements of marketing outlets, within a single tag. Or producers have the option to combine the connivance of RFID PCT with a visual tag for enhanced identification with the RFID ChoiceSet tag.

Producers may custom-print a management number on each visual tag free of charge. For a small additional fee, producers may also custom-print their logo, brand, name and/or phone number on the back of visual tags. Customization is not expected to cause any delays in the manufacturing process.

In the United States all tag options are available with a traditional 15-digit unique animal number or a National Animal Identification System “840” option.

Doowa technology provide the ear tag complied with these standards

What is RFID Ear Tag

An ear tag is a plastic or metal object used for identification of domestic livestock and other animals. If the ear tag contains an RFID module conforming to ISO 11784 & 11785, then it is called an Electronic Ear Tag.

An ear tag usually carries an individual identification number or code for the animal, or for its herd or flock. This identification number (ID) may be assigned by some national organisations (usually in the form of Property Identification Code, or PIC), or they may be handwritten for the convenience of the farmer ("management tags"). The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) of Australia regulations require that all cattle be fitted with a RFID device in the form of an ear tag or rumen bolus before movement from the property and that the movement be reported to the NLIS. However, if animals are tagged for internal purposes in a herd or farm, IDs need not be unique in larger scales. The NLIS now also requires sheep and goats to use an ear tag that has the Property Identification Code inscribed on it. These ear tags and boluses are complemented by transport documents supplied by vendors that are used for identification and tracking. A similar system is used for cattle in the European Union, each bovine animal having a passport document and tag in each ear carrying the same number. Sheep and goats in the EU have one or two tags carying the official number of their flock (however, individual numbers are to be introduced from the end of 2009).

An ear tag can be applied with an ear tag applicator (also called pliers), however there are also specially-designed tags that can be applied by hand. Depending on the purpose of the tagging, an animal may be tagged on one ear or both. If there exists a national animal identification programme in a country, animals may be tagged on both ears for the sake of increased security and effectiveness, or as a legal requirement. If animals are tagged for internal purposes, usually one ear is tagged. Australian sheep and goats are required to have visually readable ear tags printed with a Property Identification Code (PIC). They are complemented by movement documents supplied by consignors that are used for identification and tracking.

Very small ear tags are available for laboratory animals such as mice and rats. They are usually sold with a device that pierces the animal's ear and installs the tag at the same time. Lab animals can also be identified by other methods such as ear punching or notching (also used for livestock; see below), implanted RFID tags (mice are too small to wear an ear tag containing an RFID chip), and dye.