Three-read system works best
Now accepted as the optimum national ID system, the three-read tag system
addresses all basic industry needs. For each set, the animal’s
unique national identification number can be read three ways—RFID
(Radio Frequency ID), bar code, and visual. The RFID component
consists of a microchip button, with a junior panel back. The security
tag is
correspondingly numbered on the large, bar-coded front panel and large
back panel. Producers opting for a different within-herd management number
for male calves may select a separate sequence.
With enhanced tracking
capabilities, the three-read system with an electronic microchip offers
a higher read and retention rate as more accurate data is captured.
Information can be easily read by service personnel and captured by a
wand or portal at an abattoir or sales barn.
Major packing plants are implementing
ID reading and transfer systems to ensure they meet Canadian
Food Inspection Agency and Canadian
Livestock Identification Agency requirements.
Additionally,
the three-read system complies with the International Standards Organization.
The
three-read system meets the standards of various industry groups
and contributes to harmonization within Canada, the US, and Mexico. This
includes 1) DFC’s Canadian Quality Milk program; 2) Canadian
Food Inspection Agency; 3) Canadian Livestock Identification Agency;
4) and
Canadian Dairy Breed Herdbooks.
Tags serve all categories of dairy animals
A set of the three-read dairy tags should be used for all newborn
calves of both registered and non-registered [grade] status. These tags
should be applied to all non-registered, non-tagged dairy purpose animals
moving off-farm.
Transition
tags
are for any remaining untagged, registered animals, officially identified
with photos, sketches, or tattoos. This also applies to animals identified
with previously grandfathered, 1st series tags (without bar codes).
This qualifies the animal to move off-farm for both dairy and beef
purposes. Transition tags are ordered separately given the animal’s
registration number must be printed on the tag. Personal management
numbers are included.
Tagging at birth necessary
It remains important for animals to be tagged
shortly after birth with approved national tags. This is an efficient
way to identify animals for national health, tracking, on-farm management,
evaluations, and registration.
In addition to the identification and
tracking of animals for national health, national tags qualify producers
for DFC’s Quality Milk Program regulating milk and meat to ensure
food safety and exportation.
Herd owners, family members, and/or employees must ensure the tagging
process continues under all circumstances. At calving, exact birth details
must also be entered in the Herd Event Recording Calendar or its equivalency.
Labels produced for dairyman’s convenience
Two self-adhesive labels
are included with tag orders printed with the same unique lifetime
numbers as on the tags. Use of the pre-printed labels reduces duplication
and
the risk of error when printing identification numbers. For registered
animals, they are readily visible at the time of processing by registry
offices.
One label is for on-farm use. It can be attached to the Herd
Event Recording Calendar. The second label should be adhered to the
designated area on the Application for Registry with the respective
breed association.
The exception is the electronic submission of details for registration
purposes.
Tag positioning remains key
Producers have discovered that taking more
time and care with the initial placement of tags is critical to long-term
tag retention, appearance, and program integrity.
The panel or floppy tag sets should be located between the two main
centre veins of the ear and approximately one inch closer to the head than
mid-point between the tip of the ear and head.
The RFID button tag with small junior panel back can be placed even
slightly closer to the head than the bar-coded panel front and large
panel back. Placing the tags in this slightly thicker and tougher part
of the calf’s ear ensures a tighter fit (reduces stem play and
chance of snagging) while allowing room for animal growth. With proper
positioning, there is ample room in the outer portion of the ears for
optional tattoos for the brown breeds.
Dairymen now take extra care to ensure facilities remain animal-friendly
to reduce tag loss. Housing facilities and holding areas are snag-free,
as much as possible. String, protruding nails, cuts/holes/overlays in
metal sheeting, and any other catch or rub points are eliminated to provide
the best environment.
Tagging Steps
- Ensure tag numbers correspond so that a) all four tags
in the set have the same series of numbers, and b) the transition
tag number corresponds with the registration/lifetime number on the Certificate
of Registry.
- Depress the spring clip and insert the front
bar-coded
panel tag or RFID microchip button.
- Slip the appropriate rear
panel tag snugly on the applicator pin.
- Rotate the front bar-coded panel 90 degrees left for the left ear, and 90 degrees right for
the right ear for ease of visibility and to properly position the tag and tagger.
- Properly restrain the animal, regardless of age; tag from the front.
Red tagger is a must
The red-coloured Allflex Universal Tagger must
be used to conveniently insert both the thicker RFID button tag and
corresponding panel/floppy tags. This red tagger is designed to accommodate
both types
of tamper-evident tags and to quickly release after attachment.
Prompt replacement of lost tags encouraged
It remains important to promptly
replace lost tags to ensure uninterrupted unique animal identification.
If one tag is lost, the remaining tag still enables official identification
of the animal. If the RFID or large panel tag is the sole identification,
it is advisable to attach a generic tag, a photo, or sketch
for backup until the replacement is attached.
Given that proper tag placement and snag-proof housing facilities may
not eliminate all tag loss, NLID replacement dairy tags will be reissued
with the same original number. NLID tags, if lost through normal wear-and-tear,
will be replaced free of charge. ATQi tags will be replaced with the
same number, but at cost. This applies to all Canadian dairymen, except
those in Québec. These producers must contact ATQi for all replacement
tags.
Applicants provide the animal’s lifetime number, within herd
ID for continuous identity, and cause of loss (if known).
Record animal movement
The importance and value of recording animal movement
details must never be underestimated.
Producers should use the Herd
Event Recording Calendar or daily events log to record new animals
entering the herd; new animals co-mingling with animals within the herd;
and
animals
sold, disposed of, or exiting the herd. Basic herd information should
include 1) unique lifetime number of animal, 2) date of event, and
3) seller or buyer (drover or trucker).
Health of Animals Regulations
Defacing tags is a contravention of Health
of Animals Regulations. This includes cutting or trimming, and blackening
or colouring tags. Writing on the bar code or in the code area interferes
with readability, accuracy of identification, and/or null reads.
Every person owning an animal or dead stock, or has the possession,
care, or control of it must ensure it is identified by an approved tag
applied to its ear with the logo and number facing forward before it
moves from the herd of origin. This includes animals moving to livestock
shows, test stations, community pastures, or veterinary clinics …
no exception.
No person shall
transport, or cause the transportation of an animal or dead stock (carcass)
without an approved tag. No person shall receive or cause to be received
the reception of an animal or dead stock not bearing an approved tag.
No person shall remove an approved tag, or cause an approved tag to
be removed from an animal or dead stock. No person shall alter an approved
tag to change its tamper-proof nature or its identification number,
or make the identification number unreadable.
Where to order tags
All
Canadian dairymen, except in Québec, order both calf and replacement
tags (NLID or ATQi) through National Livestock Identification for Dairy.
Toll
Free: 1-877-771 NLID (6543)
Fax: 1-519-756-3502
Mail: P.O. Box 2065,
Brantford ON N3T 5W5
www.nlid.org
Livestock producers resident in
Québec
order both calf and replacement tags (ATQi or NLID) through Agri-Traçabilité Québec,
inc. (ATQi).
Toll Free: 1-866-270-4319
Fax Toll Free: 1-866-473-4033
Mail: 555, boul. Roland-Therrien, Longueuil, Qc
J4H 3Y9
www.agri-tracabilite.qc.ca
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ne
national, seamless tagging system has evolved for dairy animals for the
whole of Canada. This means
all newborn animals — male and female — are tagged with the same system.