Animal ID...The Eyes, Ears or Both?

Report and comments by James I. Sprague, Ph.D. Livestock Nutritionist

The ear or eye (or both?)

Large plastic ear tags with or without a bar code are already used for animal ID. The radio frequency tags (RFID) have been demonstrated and will work. However, a positive and practical system is possible with the retinal image system. The picture of the retinal image is transferred to records by digital technology.

A combination of RFID, plus retinal imaging of the eye, along with large ear tags have the potential to give a positive identification and quick and easy ID. All of the systems are available for cattle producers.

Optibrand’s retinal system is flexible at the feedlot
Dan Baker, from Optibrand, shared some of his observations with Feed-Lot Magazine. He said, “Our goal was to develop a secure, reliable, and ‘won’t fall out’ system.” According to Baker, they recognized the need for a definite form of identification with cattle like the finger prints of humans early on. They found the retinal image of cattle was a “neat” way to get a positive ID.

The eye image can be rapidly obtained (10-15 seconds) and recorded electronically (digitally) at the chute. The imaging can be done at the same time vaccines and implants and other activities are administered to the animals. As the eye is imaged, the premise ID is automatically passed on to the computer data base of the feedlot, farm, or ranch. Then this can be forwarded (if needed) to a national database.

Baker said the retinal imaging technology can be combined with other technology. The Optibrand development team recognized the need to be able to read and record not only the retinal image, but also: (1) a radio frequency tag, (2) bar codes from ear tags, and (3) other information such as a picture of the ear tag and information such as implants and vaccines used. These capabilities are particularly important at the packing house because cattle may come in for harvest under a variety of identification systems, such as the retinal image system, the RFID system, bar code tags, or no previous identity at all.

How does it become an ID?
The picture is stored as black and white lines, called a template. A number is assigned to the template, and then the template’s digital image is stored in the local computer. Then at a later time, if an animal is needed to be identified, the digital device compares the new image’s template with the image templates in the stored data to make a positive identification.

Optibrand stresses the importance of the privacy of the picture of the retina; it is encoded so the data is private for the owner of the livestock.

What about packing house?
With the Optibrand system at the beef packing house, the eye is imaged before it is removed from the carcass to provide a link between the animal and the carcass. When the head is removed, a tracking bar code is attached that matches the code assigned to the carcass. As the eye is scanned (takes 3 seconds); the animal ID and premise location are sent electronically (digitally) directly to the company’s computer for future uses as needed.

Retinal imaging now in use
According to Baker, the Swift Beef Company and Maverick Ranches Beef (natural beef producers) are using the system as a way to promote their product as being source verified.

Old ideas with a new twist, overcoming problems
Positive ID is needed by many facets of the beef industry, particularly seed stock producers, and feedlots for record keeping, but mandated source verification will speed up the adoption of systems for animal ID. ©