A Comparison of RFID and Visual Ear Tag Retention in Dairy Cattle in Malaysia

Abstract

Animal identification is a basic tool to identify animals for all activities including for farm management. Electronic ear tag using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been newly introduced in the dairy population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the retention of RFID and visual ear tag of various brands in dairy cattle in Malaysia. A field trial was carried out on 102 dairy cattle to assess the retention of four brands of RFID tags (Allflex, Cybortra, TSG and Ecosensa) and three brands of visual ear tags (Allflex, Cybortra, and Ecosensa). The presence or lost of the tag was evaluated every three month for one year. Cybortra RFID tag and Allflex visual ear tag have the highest percentage of tag retention at 81.5 and 96.1%, respectively when compared to other brands. The percentage of cattle that lost both of its tag (RFID and visual ear tag) was low at 3.7% for Cybortra brand and 0.0% for Allflex brand. Whereas, the percentage of cattle that lost its single identification was highest (45.5%) for TSG RFID tag. Severe ear necrosis was observed to be one of the reasons that influence the tag lost. Cattle with two identifications was found to be traced more efficiently compared to the cattle with single identification.

Kulak küpesi takılan buzağılarda oksidatif stres değişimleri

“…After determining that the metal ear clips that have been used in the past could cause some lesions (Kitagaki and Hirota 2007), flexible plastic ear-tags made of polyurethane have been shown to be less harmful (Meingassner 1991;Kitagaki and Shibuya 2004) are used more commonly, today. Although studies have reported less harm with the use of plastic ear-tags compared to metal tags, plastic ear-tags have also been shown to cause some changes including ear lesions (Johnston and Edwards 1996;Johnston 1999), ear pain (Leslie et al 2010;Lomax et al 2017), tachycardia (Stewart et al 2013), and ear wounds and necrosis (Salina et al 2016). Animal welfare targets a life free from undesired emotions such as pain, suffering, and stress (Bryant 1972;Dantzer 2001), whereas lack of stress response is regarded as an indicator of an animal's well being (Barnett and Hemsworth 1990;Broom 1998).…”