What is it?
RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are a tool used to support the traceability of livestock in Canada. They are regulated by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA). RFID tags may also be referred to as animal indicators.
A tag is placed on a calf’s ear prior to leaving the cow/calf ranch and stays with them their entire life. All cattle must have an RFID tag in Canada. The RFID tags are used to track individual animal movement events, such as [1]:
- Move out of a defined location
- Move into a defined location
- Sighted at a defined location
- Imported into Canada
- Exported out of Canada
Data collected from RFID tags are stored in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database.
Challenges
- Currently, RFID tags only require limited information to be uploaded. While the animal’s movements are traced, information related to the animal’s health, such as vaccinations, preconditioning practices, and antimicrobial use are not.
- The RFID tag technology currently uses low-frequency radio waves. This only allows for one tag to be read at a time, and at a short range. Updating the technology to ultrahigh-frequency radio waves would allow more tags to be read faster and from farther away, however, this would require all new technology (i.e., new tags, new readers). This change would take time, money, and resources to implement, as well as it would require the technology users on the farm to be on board with the change.
How Does it Prevent AMR?
RFID tags support livestock traceability, allowing for the tracking, containment, and eradication of animal diseases. By knowing which animals may have come in contact with an ill animal (by being at the same location at the same time), we know which animals may be sick. These animals can then be separated from the herd and potentially treated if necessary. This prevents the need to treat the whole herd “just in case.” and limits the reliance on antimicrobials.
Further Reading
Research Gaps
Product/Service Gaps
References
[1] Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, ‘Animal Movement’, Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, Nov. 19, 2016. https://www.canadaid.ca/traceability/animal-movement/ (accessed Aug. 22, 2022).
