High Tech RFID Technology Gaining a Foothold

One of the more interesting new technologies to be integrated into the modern dairy farm during the last few years is the mobile RFID or Radio Frequency Identification system for use in finding cows requiring certain management tasks. The RFID system uses radio frequency waves sent from a small transponder, usually embedded in an ear tag, to a hand held computer via a wand antenna. The system quickly and accurately identifies cows scheduled for vaccinations, synchronization injections, repro exams, cow moves, inventory counts and many other management tasks.

A cow management “to do list” is created on the farm’s main computer using herd management software, such as Dairy Comp 305, and uploaded to a handheld computer. The handheld computer is connected to an antenna wand which is roughly 18-24 inches in length. The connection between the wand and the handheld computer can be hard wired or wireless utilizing Bluetooth® technology. Often headphones are connected to the handheld computer allowing the operator to easily hear audio commands.

While cows are locked in headlocks or otherwise restrained, an operator passes the wand within a few inches (maximum of 15 inches) of each cow’s ear tag. As each cow is scanned the operator hears either 1) a single “beep” which confirms the cow was identified but does not require any action or 2) an audio command explaining the task required such as “lute 1” or “preg check”, etc. The handheld will display each cow’s information including a place to confirm the required task was completed or to enter results from a pregnancy check. The system will also identify a cow in the wrong pen and allow the operator to complete a pen change on the hand held or physically move her to the correct pen. Once the tasks are completed, information from the hand held computer is uploaded to the main farm computer to update the herd management software.

Mike Schouten, owner of Mission Dairy, a 4,000 cow operation located in the Texas panhandle, has been using a RFID system provided by Valley Ag Software of Tulare, California for about a year and a half. After generating task lists on DC 305, Schouten utilizes his RFID system right in the milking parlor, scanning cows from the front as they are being milked to administer shots or to mark cows due for preg check later that day. The marked cows are easily found later in the day with the preg check results being manually entered into a handheld computer for uploading into the main computer. According toSchouten, “We identify every cow that comes through the parlor every day and perform the required tasks right then. The only time we use a wand outside the parlor is to find Ovsynch cows to be time bred.” Schouten further adds,

“This system has allowed us to cut our labor requirements by 2.5 people for vet checks and we may be able to cut another position in the near future. You’re only limited by your imagination and the capabilities of DC 305 to generate the management lists.”

According to David Nansel, of Valley Ag Software, the start up cost for this system is approximately $4500 for the handheld computer, antenna wand, required software and licensing fees. The cost for RFID ear tags is around $2.25 each. “The demand for new systems has been strong,” according to Nansel, who has been involved with several installations. “It’s been a lot of fun working with this new technology and seeing the exciting look on a dairyman’s face the first time they use their new system.”

One challenge of the system is the close proximity needed to scan the ear tags which requires the wand operator to be in front of the cows. The system works well with operations using head locks but can be a challenge with palpation rails because of the difficulty in getting close enough to scan the ear tags. Cow flow from the parlor may also be slowed with the use of palpation rails.

This technology offers significant improvement in accuracy and time savings compared to traditional methods using paper lists and the visual reading of ear tags. The benefits realized include reduced labor costs, improved accuracy in record keeping, shorter lock up times and approaching 100% success in locating cows.

Article by Brian Stahl - Alta Sales Team Leader, Great Northwest
Pictures of Mission Dairy in Hereford, Texas captured by Bruce Arnold- Alta Sales Team Leader,Texas

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Posted Jun 27th

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