The number of electronic cattle tags being bought by farmers continues to grow rapidly.
In 2014, when they were first approved, farmers purchased 25,000 sets.
This year, sales could reach 200,000 sets. All three approved tag supply companies offer them for purchase.
They are most popular with large dairy farmers who use them to operate calf feeders and drafting gates, reducing labour requirement.
On the new design of cattle tags introduced last November, the electronic number picked up by an electronic reader is the same as the visual number printed on the tag – previously the numbers were different. This change is likely to bring new uses for electronic tags in large herds.
One possible use will be at time of TB herd testing.
Irish company ComTag says that the handheld devices – commonly referred to as huskies – which it supplies to many vets can handle the numbers from electronic tags once the farmer or vet has a tag reader.
The reader communicates the tag numbers to the husky by Bluetooth.
The firm supplies the handheld devices to about 400 veterinary practices in Ireland, as well as to practices in Northern Ireland and Britain.
Use of the handheld device cuts out having to write down cattle tag numbers in the farm yard.
Read more
ICBF levy income down almost 30%
The number of electronic cattle tags being bought by farmers continues to grow rapidly.
In 2014, when they were first approved, farmers purchased 25,000 sets.
This year, sales could reach 200,000 sets. All three approved tag supply companies offer them for purchase.
They are most popular with large dairy farmers who use them to operate calf feeders and drafting gates, reducing labour requirement.
On the new design of cattle tags introduced last November, the electronic number picked up by an electronic reader is the same as the visual number printed on the tag – previously the numbers were different. This change is likely to bring new uses for electronic tags in large herds.
One possible use will be at time of TB herd testing.
Irish company ComTag says that the handheld devices – commonly referred to as huskies – which it supplies to many vets can handle the numbers from electronic tags once the farmer or vet has a tag reader.
The reader communicates the tag numbers to the husky by Bluetooth.
The firm supplies the handheld devices to about 400 veterinary practices in Ireland, as well as to practices in Northern Ireland and Britain.
Use of the handheld device cuts out having to write down cattle tag numbers in the farm yard.
Read more
ICBF levy income down almost 30%
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