December 17, 2009

70% Rebate on RFID Readers for Saskatchewan Cattle Producers.

We would like to send a reminder to all our customers in Saskatchewan, the the 70% rebate program is in effect on all readers, scales, software, and  accessories related to RFID Cattle traceability.

 



You may view our line of RFID wand readers, scales, software, and accessories at our online store. Animal ID Systems.

For further information and applications on the 70% rebate to the producer program in Saskatchewan, please contact us at animalidsystems@gmail.com

sku_5859_5 We carry products from Syscan-ID, Agrident, Reliable Scales, Cattlemax, Psion Teklogix, Motorola. We also carry important supplies like battery packs, Cigarette lighter adapters, USB to Serial adapters and much more. 
B2B_Product_MC35_MD_US-ENCattleMax CS Commercial CattleIMG_2621
  

 



We can also create custom RFID kits, consisting of RFID wand reader, software, mobile hand held's, scale indicator, and weigh bars.

Contact us for further details on our kits.

Read more...

December 1, 2009

RFID Ear tags, using tag EID for management purpose

The Canadian Cattlemen Association (CCA) has recently launched a new program called the Beef InfoXchange System or BIXS. This program is part of the Canadian Beef Advantage (CBA) program, the branding of Canadian beef for domestic and international markets, which is operated by CCA. The program has been developed because of requests from beef producers across Canada to use the unique individual animal electronic ID tags (RFID), required by all beef cattle leaving the herd of origin, to track specific individual animal data such as carcass information and pass this information up and down the chain as desired. The reports generated by the BIXS program will have the ability to highlight obvious problems or advantages. This will include analyses of the top 10 and the bottom 10 percent of your herd against the average of the general BIXS population for such variables as average daily gain in the feedlot, weaning weights, quality and yield grades.

BIXS is a national voluntary no-charge web-based database designed to capture and exchange data linked to an animals RFID tag. As BIXS develops it will turn into a valuable tool for cow-calf, feedlot and processor participants to track animal production, performance, health, genetic, economic and carcass data across the chain on an individual animal basis. The program will make it possible to communicate and build business relationships based upon accurate reliable individual animal data. Down the road the long term goal is to improve efficiencies at the ranch and feedlot level which in turn will lead to economic and overall quality benefits. Over time this will become an integral part of marketing cattle from calves to back-grounding, finishing, purebreds and on up the chain to retail, restaurants and the export market.

The BIXS program is being tested out by a group of about 100 supportive cow-calf producers and other partners across Canada. These producers are helping to test out the registration and animal data upload and transfer process to see if there are any glitches that need to be worked out before it goes to full launch to cow-calf producers and feedlots this fall. Although there is no fee for the program there is important data that needs to be entered especially at the feedlot level; information such as premise ID, date the cattle arrived, the weight of the cattle and of course the individual RFID tag number.

Read the full article here. Source: Omineca Express

Read more...

November 3, 2009

Cattle Ear Tags: The Correct Way to Tag Cattle

Tagging is an important part of animal identification, but must be done properly. Tagging an animal is very similar to a human getting their ears’ pierced. Learn how to properly tag your animals and maintain proper care afterwards.

Figure 1. Proper tag placement location.                    

Figure 2. Visual panel, or male portion of the tag. 
 
Figure 3. EID button, or female portion of the tag.          



Figure 4. Proper placement of a tag in the tag applicator. 

Proper Steps to Livestock Tagging

1. Properly secure the animal to apply tag. Movement of the animal’s head could create an undesirable situation to appropriately apply the ear tag. This could cause injury to the person or livestock, or improper tagging of the animal. The following immobilization suggestions work best, depending on species:
• Cattle: Chute with a head gate, halter and/or nose lead.
• Swine: Confine in a small pen, hog boards to restrict movement, or use of a hog snare to completely secure the hog.
• Sheep & Goats: Proper hand grip of animal’s head to restrict movement.

2. Identify the tagging site on the animal’s ear.
• Tags should be applied in the middle third of the ear between the upper and lower ribs (Figure 1).
• It is important, when using electronic identification (EID) tags to apply the tag with the visual panel, male portion (Figure 2), of the tag on the outside back of the ear with the EID button, female portion (Figure 3), of the tag on the inside of the ear.

3. Proper hygiene and cleanliness during the tagging process is necessary to reduce the risk of infection. Use rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant solution to clean the jaw of the applicator. Also, clean the tagging site of the animal’s ear.

4. Place each half of the tag onto the applicator. The stud must be inserted completely onto the applicator pin and the panel/button portion placed under the opposite clip (Figure 4).

5. Before tagging the animal, check alignment of the tagger by closing the jaw of the applicator to the point where the two halves meet; the stud should be centered with the hole (Figure 5).

6. Position the applicator in the identified tagging site on the animal’s ear (Figure 6). Firmly close the applicator in a fast manner and release.

7. Examine the tag to verify it is correctly, comfortably, and securely positioned. Record necessary data on the animal.

8. Once the animal has been tagged, proper care must be taken to ensure the animal stays healthy. Daily topical application of hydrogen peroxide directly to the ear and ear tag puncture for five to seven days following the tag application will assist in preventing infection. Additional topical application of hydrogen peroxide to the ear in the following weeks is recommended until the ear is completely healed. If a serious infection occurs, consult your veterinarian for assistance and recommendations for treatment.

Figure 5. Proper tag alignment before tagging.
 

 



Figure 6. Correct and incorrect tagging sites.
 

 








Figure 7. Correct applicator pin.                Figure 8. Bent applicator pin. 















 
Figure 9. Correct matching female and male portion.

Tagging Precautions
1. Tags placed too far outside of the recommended position are prone to snagging and may be easily torn out.

2. Tags placed too far inside of the recommended position may cause pinching and/or necrosis.

3. Inspect the applicator pin to ensure the tip is in good condition (Figure 7). If the tip is bent or broken, insert replacement pin (Figure 8).

4. Check alignment by closing the jaws of the applicator
to the point where the two tag halves meet; the stud should be centered within the button hole.

5. Note that when using EID tags in Oklahoma, the number printed on the visual panel tag (male portion) should correspond and match (Figure 9) with the 15-digit number on the electronic tag button (female portion). There should be limited opportunity for error because they are nested or stored in the same package.

Source: Chris Richards and Rusty Gosz, Oklahoma State University Extension

Read more...

October 20, 2009

Syscan-ID Livetrack RFID Wand Reader

 

 

 

 

Syscan-ID Livetrack RFID Wand Reader

134.2Khz



Used by cattlemen to read RFID cattle ear tags. These tags are usually HDX or FDX-B ear tags, from Allflex, Destron, Y-Tex and so on.

imageThe Livetrack reader with Bluetooth has a communication range of over 300 feet to a laptop, PC, Scale head, or printer.

The Livetrack RFID Wand reader easily interfaces with all popular cattle management software's such as Cattlemax,  and Ranch Manager, just to name a few.

We also carry “RFID Wand Reader Kits”, ready to use solutions. Rugged, reliable and ready when you are.

Livetrack-Cattemax, and Livetrack-Ranch Manager.


Kits come in a hard carry case, preset to be used with the software. Cattlemax or Ranch Manager software is also included.

The reader is also compatible with most weight scale indicators, such as Reliable Scales, Tru-test, Gallagher, and many others.

Livetrack V3 Firmware Loader
One of the unique features of the Livetrack reader, is it’s firmware update software.

Very easy to use interface, to update the reader with the current firmware.


Livetrack RFID reader: “Print function”
image 
The Livetrack reader, has another unique feature, called the “Print Function” in the menu of the reader.

With the reader connected to the Livetrack mobile printer, it can print the template as seen on the left. The print out prints the tag EID’s along with date and time stamp, and convenient space to write additional info such as site #, and a signature as a hard copy.

We also carry this as a kit, called the Livetrack LPK, which includes, Livetrack reader (Bluetooth), rugged mobile 3” printer (Bluetooth) and hard carry case.


We can also create custom “Ready to Use” RFID kits, please contact us for more details. www.animalidsystems.com



© Copyright 2009, Animal ID Systems

Read more...

October 16, 2009

Animal ID Systems Store is now Online

Fall is finally upon us once again. We would like to wish all our friends the best of luck this season.

Animal ID Systems store is now online. you may visit our site www.animalidsystems.com .

IMG_2631We stock all major items related to Animal Identification. From RFID wand readers, to cattle management software, and all the import accessories for a successful set up.


We also stock hardware accessories such as Serial to USB converters, Bluetooth USB adapters and much more.
sku_5859_2

We are currently stocking ready to go kits. Which consist of RFID Wand reader, cattle management software and hard carry case. Everything needed to start Cattle EID right out of the box. You can view the kits here.


Over the next few weeks, we will make some information posts and how to tips on our blog, so please check back often.



© Copyright 2009 Animal ID Systems

Read more...

October 14, 2009

Issue 2: for Ohio farmers, Livestock, and You.

As a farmer and livestock producer from Johnstown, I need to explain why Issue 2 is so important to the Ohio farmers and to you, the consumer.

Ohio's farmers are like all Ohioans we rely on safe, affordable food sources to provide for our families. We are committed to the best care for our herds. Issue 2 is Ohio's plan to maintain excellent care for Ohio's livestock industry while maintaining a safe, affordable food supply that is locally grown.



logo 

The reasonable, common sense approach is to establish a Livestock Care Standards Board that will bring expertise to set animal care policy, which is something we can all support. The board will be made up of veterinarians, a food safety expert, a local humane society representative, three family farmers, two members from statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college and two members representing Ohio consumers. These members will be appointed by the governor, House and Senate.

These folks will use their best knowledge in making decisions affecting animal agriculture. They would be extremely more qualified to make these decisions than the alternative.

Issue 2 is far better than extreme measures offered by Washington-based advocates for veganism and who seek extreme, costly anti-farming regulations that will burden the production of meat, milk and eggs until these products are no longer affordable to Ohioans. Unwise regulation will drive agriculture from Ohio, putting thousands of farmers out of business, reducing our food supply, increasing food costs to you the consumer and forcing reliance on unsafe, imported foods.

Issue 2 will assure a balanced approach to livestock care, rather than input from an out-of-state interest group that knows nothing about agriculture in Ohio. These activists would impose rigid, inflexible and impractical rules for how livestock and poultry are housed. It would endanger the overall health and well-being of Ohio's flocks and herds.

Just a few of many endorsements for "yes" on Issue 2: Ohio Restaurant Association, Ohio Grocers Association, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks, Ohio Veterinary Association, Ohio Association of Realtors, American Humane Association, along with the associations of Pork, Corn, Dairy, Poultry, Fish, Wheat, Horse, Lamb, Cattle, and Soybean. Governor Ted Strickland, George Voinovich, Pat Tiberi and Jay Hottinger have also endorsed this issue.

Go to www.OhioLivestockCare.com and see the facts.

Please join me in insuring safe, affordable food and vote "yes" for Issue 2 to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Without farmers, where will food come from?

Source: Newark advocate

Kathy Heimerl

Read more...

October 11, 2009

Japan puts temporary ban on Beef imports from US meat packer Tyson

Japan’s agriculture minister issued a temporary Beef import ban on US meat packer Tyson on Saturday. The import ban was issued immediately after Japanese inspectors discovered bovine spinal columns in one of the boxes shipped from Tyson Fresh Meats Inc

At the moment the temporary ban is only for

Tyson's factory in Lexington, Nebraska, one of 46 meatpacking plants approved to export beef to Japan.

The other Tyson meat packing plants can still send packed beef as usual. This is not the first time the Lexington plant had been banned from Japan. There was a four month ban in 2007 when Japan imported and inspected meat that did not meet Japan’s safety standards.

Japan's new ruling has proposed a tough response to any violation to a bilateral safety agreement, including a blanket ban on US beef shipments.

Under the bilateral trade agreement, US exporters must remove spinal columns, brain tissue and other parts considered linked to mad cow disease. US beef shipments to Japan must also come only from cattle age 20 months or younger, which are believed to pose less of a risk.

US officials have urged Japan to allow imports of beef from cattle aged at least up to 30 months, a widely used safety standard elsewhere, and possibly scrap age restrictions.

Japan banned all US beef imports in 2003 after the first case of mad cow disease was discovered in the United States. Japan resumed importing American beef in 2006 after the bilateral trade agreement setting new safety standards.

© 2009 Copyright Animal ID Systems

Read more...

October 8, 2009

Man applies cattle ear tag to his ear.

This is a reminder to everyone, this is not the correct procedure to apply ear tags. Please do not try this at home.


Maybe next time he could apply an RFID tag, this way he could demonstrate to the cows, the correct way to run through the alley to the chute. Cheers Mate!

Read more...

October 6, 2009

The fight against Cattle Deaths in Africa

A private charity has renewed the fight against cattle deaths with the introduction of a new distribution channel for vaccine in the Kenyan market.

Commercialization of the vaccine is targeted at combating East Coast Fever, a livestock disease that kills millions of animals every year.

“We are exploring ways of transferring the production and distribution of the vaccine to the private sector through local manufacturers and distributors. This is extremely important in making the vaccine affordable, accessible and sustainable,” said Steve Sloan, the CEO of GALVmed, a Britain-based group.

The group plans to work with governments, veterinary products distributors and those from the private sector to avail the vaccine to farmers in East African countries and to scale up its production.

“This pioneering registration effort aims to ensure that the vaccine is approved and monitored by affected nations and enables local firms to sell and distribute it, embedding its sustainability. Registration in Malawi is already complete, with significant progress in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda,” said the CEO’s firm that makes livestock vaccines, diagnostics and affordable medicines for the poor.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the UK Department for International Development are other partners in the project.

Veterinary scientist Henry Kiara, who has conducted research on the vaccine for 20 years, said ILRI was commercializing the production, distribution and delivery of the vaccine and would make it available to livestock keepers.

East Coast Fever is a cancer-like cattle disease that often kills animals within three weeks of infection. It is transmitted by the brown ear tick.

The vaccines have previously been distributed mainly through government-led initiatives, which are limited in funding.

The commercialization will also give small-scale livestock farmers the power to control the health of their animals.

The disease kills one cow in every 30 seconds in Africa.

Source: Business Daily Africa Read rest of the article here.

Read more...

October 2, 2009

Equine lameness, Causes and cures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An athlete’s body is trained to handle an amazing amount of work and stress.  From runners to swimmers, all athletes train to handle the specific stress their sport requires.  Unfortunately, it is still not uncommon for these athletes to injure themselves performing the very actions they trained for.  This is also true of a horse’s body. 

 

Many horses are trained athletes that are bred and conditioned for a specific sport such as racing, jumping, western performance or dressage.  While these sports are relatively safe, just like a human athlete, there is always a possibility of injury and in most cases with horses the injury tends to be lameness.  Lameness is an abnormality of gait that is caused by pain or restriction of movement.



“Most of the injuries we see are muscular/skeletal lamenesses,” states Dr. Kent Carter, professor of equine lameness and chief o f medicine at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Large Animal Hospital. “The lameness can be a result of things such as chipped bones, bowed tendons and other soft tissue injuries.


The type of lameness is generally dependent on the horse’s use.  For example, race horses tend to present injuries such as bowed tendons or bone chips in joints.  Jumpers on the other hand tend to have more soft tissue injuries.


“Probably the greatest number of cases we see are soft tissue injuries in the foot and lower limb,” notes Carter. “Foot lamenesses can be caused by traumatic injuries or as a result of a  degenerative process.



Of course, your horse doesn’t have to be an elite athlete to suffer an injury.  Some can happen as the result of accidents, such as stepping in a hole or on a rock during a trail ride and twisting an ankle.  Horses can even injure themselves while bucking and playing in a pasture.



“You should be as aware as possible of the terrain on which you are riding and make sure that your horse has the proper conditioning for the activity you are having it perform,” urges Carter. “With that said, even with the best care an animal can always injure itself.

As a horse owner, it is fairly easy to recognize if your horse is lame as most likely there will be some limping.  If the injury is further up in the leg it is also possible to see swelling of the leg.

“If you notice that your horse is limping or its leg is swollen the first thing you want to do is stop exercising them.  If you are knowledgeable you can also apply a pressure wrap around the leg,” advises Carter. “If it is not getting better or if the limp is severe you should take them to their veterinarian as soon as possible.

Depending on the type, severity and location of the injury there are many types of treatment that a veterinarian can perform. 

“We prefer to start with rest and support wraps, but when the injury is more severe we can do anything from pain killers and injections of anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery,” states Carter.

Of course you can’t treat a problem until you can diagnose what the problem is and some lamenesses don’t present at all or not fully until a rider is on the horse.

“The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine recently added a state of the art lameness arena to our facility,” notes Carter. “The surface of this arena helps us to better diagnose specific lamenesses by putting a rider on a horse and having them ride.

Once the problem is identified and the veterinarian performs the treatment regimen there is always a chance that the horse will either not heal completely or will require additional rehabilitation.

“While I would say that for the most part we can at least benefit most horses with lameness, we can’t heal everyone,” says Carter. “We can, however, improve the outcome in the majority of cases.

Most horses with lameness problems will probably have to have some form of rehabilitation.  While most rehab is done at home by owners, in more severe cases the horses can be sent to  rehabilitation centers.

“Rehab centers will have specialized equipment to deal with more difficult cases,” explains Carter. “This can be anything from 24/7 monitoring to water treadmills.

With all the options for the treatment of lameness, the cost of these procedures can range from relatively inexpensive to thousands of dollars.

“It’s highly dependent on what we do. We can give a simple injection of anti-inflammatory for less than $100 while some surgeries can cost over $4,000,” states Carter.

In order to avoid expensive procedures and painful injuries the best prevention is to be aware of your horse’s surroundings and try your best to keep them in good physical condition for their activities.  Of course when injuries do occur, it’s important know how to spot them and what to do in order to keep your four legged athlete in tip top shape.

Source: The Cherokeean

Read more...

September 2, 2009

Companion Animal ID (RFID Microchip)

 

When animal guardians finally get with the program and always place identification on their companion animals, maybe this column will have the opportunity to address other subjects.

But, the problem continues.

Every week a sad tale of woe comes to my attention about a dog or cat that has become lost and is not wearing an ID tag and is not microchipped. It is nearly impossible to reunite an animal and its guardian.

This is the easiest problem to solve.

When a dog, cat, puppy or kitten is adopted from a shelter, humane society or rescue organization, it should go to its new home with an ID tag attached to its collar, and perhaps take an extra step to have the animal microchipped. That is sort of like wearing a belt and suspenders just to be sure. Imagine what goes through the mind of the person who discovers a strange dog or cat in the yard that is not wearing a collar and tag. Strangely, many dogs and cats are wearing a collar of some sort, but no tag. What is the point?



If a family decides to purchase a dog or cat from a breeder, surely that breeder will place a collar and an ID tag on that animal. It is not worth taking a chance to let the animal leave the premises without ID.

More and more animals are being microchipped during its first visit to a veterinarian, but it should also wear a collar with an ID tag as many people do not know about micro chipping or where to take the animal to be scanned to determine if the dog or cat has been "chipped."

Always call the animal shelter, humane society facility or veterinary office to be certain the animal can be scanned, rather than go driving all over town looking for an office that does have a scanner.

Read the full article. Source: Marshall News Messenger.

Read more...

August 28, 2009

Horse Care

In an effort to provide a basic guideline for minimum horse care requirements, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently developed an eight page educational guide called Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky.  The guide is a free resource offered for educational purposes to horse owners, potential horse owners, law enforcement officials, and all horse interested individuals.

Featuring photographs which depict healthy horses receiving good care, Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is appropriate for all horse owners.  It includes information on minimum food, drink, space, and health care requirements for equines.  In addition, the document encourages the practice of body condition scoring of horses using the Henneke Scale as a basis for the development of a feeding program regiment tailored to the unique needs of each individual horse.


“Over the past few years, through our extensive work with neglected horses, we recognized the need for an educational resource detailing the basics of horse care.  Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is a great tool for investigators to provide education to horse owners who lack an understanding of the rudimentary needs of their horses,” emphasized Madelyn Millard, KHC Board President.



Developed by the Kentucky Horse Council Health and Welfare Committee, the standards include information approved by equine veterinarians and humane officers. 

The color guide has been provided to all animal control and law enforcement officials who have successfully completed Equine Abuse Investigation Training offered by the Kentucky Horse Council.  All future attendees will also be provided a printed copy.

“This document is just one of the many ways the Kentucky Horse Council works to educate horse owners and law enforcement officials on the unique needs of horses,” Millard continued. 

Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is free and available online by visiting www.kentuckyhorse.org.

Source: Horse Channel

Read more...

August 21, 2009

Tips to Protect Horses, Livestock from Wildfire

Horse owners and ranchers can take precautions to reduce the risk and spread of wildfire and protect their animals from injury or death by fire, said Texas AgriLife agents.

"The most important thing to remember is to have a fire plan in place," said Rick Machen, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist in Uvalde. "You'll have a limited time to react when a wildfire hits, so you'll need to be prepared and practiced for it."

The plan should include how to access and transport livestock that might be in danger, he said.

"Make sure you have keys to padlocks and can get easy access to every gate on the perimeter fence," Machen said.

If there's a wildfire, farmers and horse owners need to know in advance what their priorities are, he noted. "Sometimes firefighters will ask which they should save first--a structure, livestock, machinery or feed," he said.

If you have time to evacuate livestock, proceed with caution, he said, as some animals might refuse to leave and others might run back into a burning barn or building.

"Close gates that give livestock access to dangerous or soon-to-be dangerous areas," Machen said. "When evacuating the animals, be sure to keep them from going into areas where they might become trapped or have a limited chance of escape."

Livestock are frequently injured or killed by running into fences, barriers, and other obstructions while trying to flee, he added. Having the right equipment and experienced handlers to move livestock is important, but if time is of the essence it might be necessary to release the animals and recapture them later.

All farm and ranch family members and workers should be on the lookout for potential fire hazards and know how to respond in case of a fire, added Bruce Lesikar, AgriLife Extension agricultural engineer.

Lesikar said some basic safety precautions should include installing and maintaining smoke detectors in barns and buildings, placing fire extinguishers in barns, vehicles, and tractors, and posting emergency numbers in a central location near a telephone.

"To help prevent or feed a fire, store fuels, pesticides, and other chemicals away from heat sources and combustible materials," he said. "If there's a wildfire, these should be removed from the premises."

He added that trash, hay, lumber, empty feed sacks, and other flammable materials should be kept away from barns and buildings.

Firebreaks or fireguards are another useful tool in helping prevent the spread of wildfire, noted Wayne Hanselka, an AgriLife Extension program leader for rangeland ecology management based in Corpus Christi.

"As their names indicate, these are designed to keep fire in or out of a pasture," Hanselka said. "Cleared firebreaks must extend to bare ground or mineral soil with no line of continuous dead fuel that allows the fire to creep across the fire line."

Source: TheHorse.com read the full article here.

Read more...

  © Blogger template The Business Templates by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP