In Canada, Ontario cattle industry members are currently getting excited about the implications of a pilot cattle sale held last week. The sale was the first of its kind in this province to operate using RFID technology, which could automate the collection of data and provide traceability for buyers of feeder calves.

     RFID tags were preceded by bar-coded ear tags, which have been used in cattle identification for a number of years. Now, bar-corded tags are being phased out in the Canadian cattle identification programme by 2006, to be replaced by RFID tags. According to the Ontario Cattlemen''s Association, RFID will help the industry in its goal of 100% age-verification and traceability in cattle, but it also gives sales barns an easier way to read tag numbers for tracking purposes. 116.30.142.201 This article is copyright 2005 UsingRFID.com.

Pilot test
     Bar-coded tags can be hard to scan when they are dirty but RFID tags can be read from within a few feet almost regardless of their conditions. Dan Ferguson, coordinator of the Quality Starts Here - Verified Beef Production (QSH-VBP) programme, said: "This pilot is a real test of the technology that will bring all industry players together to cooperatively explore and develop the RFID capabilities in cattle."

     Jim McComb, representing Quinte County Cattlemen''s Association, asked ag2Networks Ltd if the company could help D.H. Hickson Limited (Hoard''s Station Sales Barn) incorporate RFID into its existing auction barn software package to allow for traceability from producer to successive owners. According to Rod Turner, CEO for Ag2Networks, "Working with Allflex, we were able to provide a suitable solution."

Panel readers
     The sale, held at Hoard''s Station, used RFID ''panel readers'' that can be attached to the side of an alleyway. Placement of the readers in the right place within the auction environment was critical for optimum effectiveness. When cattle passed within a few feet, the reader could pick up each tag''s ID number, which is then be referenced in a database maintained by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. The database holds age verification information, and that data can be made available to buyers via printed age certificates.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                Extract From Using RFID