The necessity of applying RFID technology in livestock farming
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has become a revolutionary standard for batch identification and traceability. RFID technology enables the identification of thousands of items within seconds, with a reading distance of up to 10 meters.
In some countries, RFID technology is currently being implemented in mandatory livestock identification programs. RFID technology can assist governmental agencies in determining the origin of animals, especially when tracing origins becomes critically important during disease outbreaks between regions.
How RFID Works in Dairy Cattle Management
RFID tags are applied to the ears of each animal using a simple applicator tool. This process is akin to piercing human ears. Each tagged animal is assigned a unique tracking number consisting of alphanumeric characters. The RFID reader identifies each animal through its RFID tag.
A weight scale is positioned at the entrance or exit point of livestock to monitor their weight. This weight scale is linked to a fixed RFID reader. This setup enables the identification of each animal before they step onto the scale. Data collected from the RFID readers is transmitted to the computer system of the facility. This system can be connected to cloud-based monitoring systems via the Internet.