ITW Agricultural Solutions announces a new product with the potential to revolutionize the way dairy cattle are identified in North America. The ITW DairyCUFF, a radio frequency ID (RFID) device, is labor efficient – allowing for reading from the back end of the cow where all work is performed – and the only method of ID that is animal friendly. Traditional ID tags, attached to the ear of the cattle, require a puncture wound to the animal, leaving her open to infection. In addition, ear tags are not visually strategic from the perspective of where most of the work on the cow is done. The maximum range for reading an RFID chip is only 24 inches. So with an operator working at the rear of a cow, ear tags are not visible by eye nor can they be read by a hand-held reader.
By placing a band around either back leg, a farmer can perform a visual read or use any ISO-compliant reader and get a higher read rate due to a better location in relation to receiver antennas.
This legband works in any environment - parlors, hospital barns, corrals, feedbunks and freestalls. In addition, the band is tamperproof and rugged. It will not tear and the printed laser technology stands up to UV rays and inclement weather.
The reusable version was designed to be integrated into dairy management processes and can be adjusted around the leg of the cow as she grows. PD
—From ITW Agricultural Solutions news release
