Adaption and assessment of a UHF-RFID system for livestock management

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.Voraussetzung für die Umsetzung von Konzepten des Precision Lifestock Farming ist eine einzeltierbezogene Erfassung von Tierdaten, die in großem Maßstab nur durch eine elektronische Tierkennzeichnung ermöglicht wird. Radiofrequenzidentifikationssysteme (RFID) im Ultrahochfrequenzbereich (UHF, 860-960 MHz) bieten die Möglichkeit der Simultanerfassung von Transpondern sowie eine flexibel einstellbare Lesereichweite von mehr als drei Metern. Bisher wurden jedoch UHF-RFID-Systeme nur unzureichend an die Einsatzbedingungen in der Tierhaltung angepasst. In Zusammenarbeit mit Industriepartnern wurden passive UHF-RFID-Transponder zur Integration in Ohrmarken für Rinder und Schweine sowie Lesegeräte entwickelt und getestet. Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Anpassung und Bewertung dieses UHF-RFID-Systems für die Nutztierhaltung. Teilziele waren 1.) die Konstruktion und der Test eines statischen Prüfstandes für UHF-RFID-Ohrmarken, 2.) die Entwicklung einer Methode zur Messung des Einflusses von Ohrgewebe auf die Leistungsfähigkeit von UHF-RFID-Ohrmarken und 3.) die Anwendung und Validierung des UHF-RFID-Systems zur Aufzeichnung der Trogbesuche von Mastschweinen. Die Versuche unterstützten die Auswahl und Weiterentwicklung von UHF-Transponderohrmarken und Lesegerätantennen für die Nutzung in der Tierhaltung. Es wurde erstmalig eine geeignete Testmethode für UHF-RFID-Technologie in den bearbeiteten Forschungsbereichen entwickelt und angewendet. Im Verlauf der Versuche wurde mehrmals deutlich, dass die größte Herausforderung für den Einsatz von UHF-Transpondern in Ohrmarken in der Minderung der Sensitivität gegenüber des Ohrgewebes besteht. Neben einer Überwachung der Tiergesundheit mittels UHF-RFID sind weitere mögliche Forschungsansätze die Lokalisierung von Tieren zur Messung der Bewegungsaktivität, die Kombination der Transponder mit Sensorik, beispielsweise zur Messung der Körpertemperatur, sowie die Nutzung der Technologie zur Implementierung des Internet der Dinge in Lieferketten für Lebensmittel

Evaluation of a UHF RFID system for livestock

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.Innerhalb der deutschen Tierproduktion konnte in den vergangenen Jahren ein Strukturwandel festgestellt werden. Während die Anzahl der landwirtschaftlichen Betriebe stetig sank, nahm die Anzahl an Tieren pro Betrieb zu. Da jedoch auch große tierhaltende landwirtschaftliche Betriebe häufig im Zielkonflikt zwischen Nachhaltigkeit, Tiergerechtheit und Wirtschaftlichkeit stehen, ist eine gut funktionierende und kostengünstige Managementhilfe umso wichtiger. Das Sammeln von tier- und umweltbezogenen Daten mit einfachen, innovativen und günstigen Techniken zur Verbesserung von Tierwohl, -gesundheit und -leistung sowie Haltungsbedingungen, stellt den hauptsächlichen Teil des sogenannten Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) dar. Eine Möglichkeit zur technischen Umsetzung stellt die sogenannte Radiofrequenzidentifikation dar (RFID). Während eines dreijährigen, von der Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung finanzierten, Verbundprojektes wurde die Eignung eines UHF-RFID-Systems zur Simultanerfassung von Schweinen und Rindern getestet und bewertet. Hierfür wurden verschiedenste UHF-Transponderohrmarken entwickelt, an Prüfständen und in Praxisanwendungen getestet. Zusätzlich wurde eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse des UHF-RFID-Systems anhand von vier Beispielställen durchgeführt um das Potential des Systems für den Einsatz in der Praxis abzuschätzen. Hierfür wurden nicht nur die Kosten und der Nutzen des Systems zur simultanen Tiererfassung berücksichtigt, sondern auch eine Überwachung der Tiere an verschiedensten Punkten ihrer Haltungsumwelt. In der gesamten Projektlaufzeit wurden für beide Tierarten neun unterschiedliche Transpondertypen entwickelt. Während des Entwicklungsprozesses wurden die Antennenstruktur, -länge und das Trägermaterial des Transponders verändert und somit der Transponder an seine unmittelbare Umgebung so gut wie möglich angepasst. Auch der Prozess des Eingießens wurde stetig verbessert. Bevor die UHF-Transponderohrmarken in der Praxis getestet wurden, wurden sie auf einem dynamischen Prüfstand beurteilt, sowie mit anderen eigens entwickelten, projektfremden und kommerziell erhältlichen UHF-Transponderohrmarken unter verschiedenen Bedingungen verglichen. Es wurde die Anzahl an Lesungen pro Runde aufgenommen um Unterschiede zwischen den Transpondertypen festzustellen. Mit Hilfe von Treibeversuchen an Schweinen und Rindern wurde die Eignung und Haltbarkeit der Transponderohrmarken in der Praxis untersucht. Während für die Versuche mit Schweinen ein Lesegerätgate, mit in allen Versuchen gleichen Einstellungen, im Stall aufgebaut wurde, wurden bei den Rindern die Lesegerätleistung, die Lesegerätausrichtung und die Versuchsumgebung variiert. Bei diesen Experimenten wurden sowohl die Anzahl an Lesungen pro Runde als auch die Erfassungsquoten, welche den für die praktische Anwendung wichtigeren Wert darstellen, berechnet. Mit dem letzten Entwicklungsschritt konnte eine funktionsfähige und haltbare UHF-Transponderohrmarke mit guten durchschnittlichen Erfassungsquoten für beide Tierarten entwickelt werden (Schwein: ø 98 %; Rind: ø 99 %). Bei der Durchführung der Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse konnte gezeigt werden, dass, zum jetzigen Entwicklungszeitpunkt des Systems, der Nutzen die Kosten im Bereich der Mastschweinehaltung nicht übersteigt. In der Milchviehhaltung konnte nur unter den günstigsten Annahmen und für den größten Betrieb ein positives Ergebnis erzielt werden. Die entstehenden Kosten pro Tier sind vermutlich jedoch zu hoch für die Etablierung des Systems auf dem Markt. Allerdings war, aufgrund des frühen Entwicklungsstadiums des Systems, eine Kosten- und Nutzenabschätzung des Systems schwierig und ist mit Unsicherheiten behaftet. Unter der Voraussetzung der Praxistauglichkeit des Systems würden die Kosten sinken und auch für andere Betriebe ließe sich eine Vorteilhaftigkeit des Systems erwarten. Die vorliegende Arbeit war sinnvoll und wichtig um eine erste Beurteilung der Kosten und Nutzen des Systems zu bekommen. Innerhalb des Projektes konnte ein großer Entwicklungsfortschritt des UHF-RFID-Systems erreicht und das große Potential für PLF gezeigt werden, auch wenn das System bis jetzt noch nicht marktreif ist

The influence of food composition and tag orientation on UHF RF IDentification

Ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency (RF) labelling is considered to be one of the most promisingtechniques for automatic identification through all food supply chain phases. However, the efficacy of RFIDentification(RFID)systemshasprovencriticalforsomefoodproducts.Inthispapertheroleofthecompositionandthetemperatureofthefoodproductandofthemutuallabel-reader orientation on identification performances is investigated. For this purpose, basic food constituents,prepared as solutions (salts, sugars, organic acids and ethanol) at different concentrations and temperatures,wereconsideredandthentheidentificationresultswerecomparedtothoseobtainedfromwholefoodproducts.The results show how the reading performances of UHF RFID systems are influenced by the consideredparameters. The reading ranges for the identification of critical food products by UHF RFID systems can beestimatedandthenimprovedbyconsideringthecompositionofthefoodproductdirectlyfromthedesignphase

Technological Tools for the Early Detection of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Farms

Classically, the diagnosis of respiratory disease in cattle has been based on observation of clinical signs and the behavior of the animals, but this technique can be subjective, time-consuming and labor intensive. It also requires proper training of staff and lacks sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). Furthermore, respiratory disease is diagnosed too late, when the animal already has severe lesions. A total of 104 papers were included in this review. The use of new advanced technologies that allow early diagnosis of diseases using real-time data analysis may be the future of cattle farms. These technologies allow continuous, remote, and objective assessment of animal behavior and diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease with improved Se and Sp. The most commonly used behavioral variables are eating behavior and physical activity. Diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease may experience a significant change with the help of big data combined with machine learning, and may even integrate metabolomics as disease markers. Advanced technologies should not be a substitute for practitioners, farmers or technicians, but could help achieve a much more accurate and earlier diagnosis of respiratory disease and, therefore, reduce the use of antibiotics, increase animal welfare and sustainability of livestock farms. This review aims to familiarize practitioners and farmers with the advantages and disadvantages of the advanced technological diagnostic tools for bovine respiratory disease and introduce recent clinical applications

A RFID-Based Monitoring System for Characterization of Perching Behaviors of Individual Poultry

Perching is a natural behavior of poultry. However, it is difficult to distinguish individual birds in a large group in order to relate perching behavior to health condition or productivity. To enable such research, this study developed and validated a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based automated perching monitoring system (APMS) for characterizing individual perching behaviors of group-housed poultry. The APMS consisted of a RFID module, a load cell module, and a round wooden perch. The RFID module was comprised of a high-frequency RFID reader, three customized rectangular antennas, and multiple RFID transponders. The load cell module was comprised of a data acquisition system and two load cells supporting the two ends of the perch. Daily number of perch visits (PV) and perching duration (PD) of individual birds were used to delineate perching behavior. Three identical experimental pens, five hens per pen, were equipped with the monitoring system. Two RFID transponders were attached to each hen (one per leg) and a distinct color was marked on the bird‘s head for video or visual identification. Performance of the APMS was validated by comparing the system outputs with manual observation/labeling over an entire day. Sensitivity and specificity of the system were shown to improve from 97.77% and 99.88%, respectively, when using only the RFID module, to 99.83% and 99.93%, respectively, when incorporating weight information from the load cell module. This study revealed that the APMS has an excellent performance in measuring perching behaviors of individual birds in a group. The APMS offers great potentials for delineating differences in perching behavior among hens with different social status or health conditions in a group setting

Construction of a system of flow and temperature instrumentation on a porcine farm in the municipality of Marsella, Risaralda

We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm.We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm

Construction of a system of flow and temperature instrumentation on a porcine farm in the municipality of Marsella, Risaralda

We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm.We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm

Construction of a system of flow and temperature instrumentation on a porcine farm in the municipality of Marsella, Risaralda

We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm.We present a local monitoring system of temperature and caudal in a pig farm. The method consists of designing an instrumentation and measurement system, this uses a wireless sensor network (WSN) based on the ZigBee standard. The WSN sends the gathered data to a server that stores the information in a database with the purpose of consulting (local queries) at any time the data that have been measured by the electronic devices. The preliminary results show that the data we can be used to infer behavior of the variables under study, besides the prototype is scalable, efficient, that makes it easily adaptable to any pig farm

Animal Welfare Assessment

This Special Issue provides a collection of recent research and reviews that investigate many areas of welfare assessment, such as novel approaches and technologies used to evaluate the welfare of farmed, captive, or wild animals. Research in this Special Issue includes welfare assessment related to pilot whales, finishing pigs, commercial turkey flocks, and dairy goats; the use of sensors or wearable technologies, such as heart rate monitors to assess sleep in dairy cows, ear tag sensors, and machine learning to assess commercial pig behaviour; non-invasive measures, such as video monitoring of behaviour, computer vision to analyse video footage of red foxes, remote camera traps of free-roaming wild horses, infrared thermography of effort and sport recovery in sport horses; telomere length and regulatory genes as novel biomarkers of stress in broiler chickens; the effect of environment on growth physiology and behaviour of laboratory rare minnows and housing system on anxiety, stress, fear, and immune function of laying hens; and discussions of natural behaviour in farm animal welfare and maintaining health, welfare, and productivity of commercial pig herds