Browsing by Subject "Animal identification"

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    Adaption and assessment of a UHF-RFID system for livestock management
    (2018) Adrion, Felix; Gallmann, Eva
    A prerequisite for the implementation of concepts of precision livestock farming is data acquisition on the level of the individual animal, which is only possible on a large scale by applying electronic animal identification. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF, 860 – 960 MHz) offer the possibility of simultaneous detection of transponders and a variably adjustable read range of more than 3 m. Until now, these systems were, however, only insufficiently adapted to the operating conditions in livestock farming. In collaboration with industry partners, passive UHF-RFID transponders for integration into ear tags for cattle and pigs and readers have been developed and tested. The objective of this thesis was the adaption and assessment of this UHF-RFID system for livestock farming. In particular, 1) the construction and test of a static test bench for UHF-RFID ear tags, 2) the development of a method of measuring the influence of ear tissue on the performance of UHF-RFID ear tags, and 3) the application and validation of the UHF-RFID system for monitoring of trough visits of growing-finishing pigs should be carried out. The experiments supported the selection and further development of UHF transponder ear tags and reader antennas for application in livestock farming. A suitable test method for UHF-RFID technology in the fields of research covered was established and applied for the first time. It repeatedly became clear during the experiments that the greatest challenge for the application of UHF transponders in ear tags is the reduction of the sensitivity against ear tissue. In addition to the monitoring of animal health with UHF-RFID, further research could be carried out regarding the positioning of animals for measurement of motion activity, the combination of transponders with sensors, for example, to measure body temperature, and the utilisation of the technology for implementation of the Internet of Things in food supply chains.
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    Evaluation of a UHF RFID system for livestock
    (2017) Hammer, Nora; Jungbluth, Thomas
    A structural change could be observed within German animal production in recent years. Whereas the number of livestock holdings decreased, the number of animals per livestock holding increased. Because bigger livestock holdings are also often in a conflict of aims between sustainability, animal welfare and economy, a well-functioning and cost-effective management assistance is even more important. The collection of animal-related data and data from their environment with simple, innovative and low-cost techniques to improve animal welfare, animal health and animal performance, as well as the housing conditions, is a main part of so-called precision livestock farming (PLF). A possible solution for implementation of these thoughts is a technology called radio-frequency identification (RFID). The suitability of an UHF RFID system for simultaneous pig and cattle detection could be evaluated during a three year project, which was funded by the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, several UHF transponder ear tags had to be developed and tested in laboratory and practical experiments. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis of the UHF system based on four example barns had to be carried out to estimate the potential of the system for use in practice. Thereby, not only the costs and benefits of simultaneous animal detection were calculated, but also the costs and benefits of hotspot monitoring of the animals in their husbandry environment were estimated. Nine different transponder types for each animal species were developed within the duration of the project. During the development process, the antenna structure, antenna length and label material had to be varied to adjust the transponder to its immediate surroundings as optimally as possible. The grouting process of the transponder into the ear tag was also continuously improved. Before testing the UHF transponder ear tag types in practice, they were all tested on a dynamic test bench. Using this test bench, a preliminarily assessment of the in-house developed transponder types by themselves, with foreign and commercially available UHF transponder types under various conditions was possible. The number of readings per round was recorded and used to identify differences between the transponder types. The UHF transponder ear tag types were tested with the aid of driving experiments using pigs and cattle with a focus on their suitability and durability under practical conditions. While one gate in a stall environment was built in the driving experiments for the fattening pigs, with cattle, reader output power, reader orientation and the test environment were varied. In these experiments, the number of readings per round and the reading rates, which were the more decisive value in practice, were calculated. In the last stage of development, a suitable, well-functioning UHF transponder ear tag type and good average reading rates could be achieved for both animal species (pigs: ø 98 %; cattle: ø 99 %) While performing the cost-benefit analysis, it could be calculated that, at the present state of development of the UHF system, the benefits do not exceed the costs of the system in the fattening pig husbandry. In dairy cattle husbandry, a positive result could be reached only under the best estimations and the larger farm. However, the costs arising per animal are still too high to implement the systems on the market. Because of the early stage of development, the calculation of the costs and benefits was difficult and still holds uncertainties. Following the assumption that the UHF system will be developed to practical maturity, the costs calculated would be lower and an advantageousness of the system would be also expected for other farms. This work was sensible and necessary to get a first assessment of the costs and benefits. Great development progress could be achieved for the UHF RFID system and a large potential for PLF could be shown within this project, even if the system is not yet ready for market.
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    Livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation approaches in Africa: current state and future perspectives
    (2023) Houaga, Isidore; Mrode, Raphael; Opoola, Oluyinka; Chagunda, Mizeck G. G.; Mwai, Okeyo A.; Rege, John E. O.; Olori, Victor E.; Nash, Oyekanmi; Banga, Cuthbert B.; Okeno, Tobias O.; Djikeng, Appolinaire
    The African livestock sector plays a key role in improving the livelihoods of people through the supply of food, improved nutrition and consequently health. However, its impact on the economy of the people and contribution to national GDP is highly variable and generally below its potential. This study was conducted to assess the current state of livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation methods being used across the continent, the main challenges, and to demonstrate the effects of various genetic models on the accuracy and rate of genetic gain that could be achieved. An online survey of livestock experts, academics, scientists, national focal points for animal genetic resources, policymakers, extension agents and animal breeding industry was conducted in 38 African countries. The results revealed 1) limited national livestock identification and data recording systems, 2) limited data on livestock production and health traits and genomic information, 3) mass selection was the common method used for genetic improvement with very limited application of genetic and genomic-based selection and evaluation, 4) limited human capacity, infrastructure, and funding for livestock genetic improvement programmes, as well as enabling animal breeding policies. A joint genetic evaluation of Holstein-Friesian using pooled data from Kenya and South Africa was piloted. The pilot analysis yielded higher accuracy of prediction of breeding values, pointing to possibility of higher genetic gains that could be achieved and demonstrating the potential power of multi-country evaluations: Kenya benefited on the 305-days milk yield and the age at first calving and South Africa on the age at first calving and the first calving interval. The findings from this study will help in developing harmonized protocols for animal identification, livestock data recording, and genetic evaluations (both national and across-countries) as well as in designing subsequent capacity building and training programmes for animal breeders and livestock farmers in Africa. National governments need to put in place enabling policies, the necessary infrastructure and funding for national and across country collaborations for a joint genetic evaluation which will revolutionize the livestock genetic improvement in Africa.