Field Evaluations and Applications of Electronic Identification (EID) Systems in the Bovine Industry

Abstract

Automatic identification of members of the bovine family is very important in present and future developments of livestock production. From securing export of healthy live animals and meat with genetic superiority to automating health records and production records; automatic identification has the potential to play a significant role in the livestock industry.

The technology evaluated is the implantable, passive, electronic identification transponders manufactured by Destron/IDI, of Boulder, Colorado. Transponders were implanted in over 4549 animals during 1991 and 1992 in the United States, Canada and England, evaluating the following:
(1.) implanting technique
(2.) transponder retention
(3.) automation with various animal production systems
(4.) carcass identification within the slaughterhouse
(5.) slaughterhouse recovery of transponders
(6.) disease eradication programs
(7.) breed registration
(8.) alternative identification to branding and other forms of identification.

The above items will be discussed in some detail as related to the trials performed on animals.