Dear Diane & Larry:
I thought you'd be interested in this company, who perhaps could donate the technology
to complete the tasklist for tagging the citzenry.
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AgInfoLink utilises leading data tracking and transfer technology to
record, analyse, report and deliver information. These technologies make
the process of data collection easier, faster and more accurate than ever,
allowing high-speed and real-time capture of accurate data, and on-time
transfer of information among individuals or networks.
Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID)
A Radio Frequency Identifcation Device (RFID) is a device used
for electronic identification. An RFID ear tag can be applied to
an animal's ear in the same way as a visual ID tag. The RFID
contains a microchip with a unique identification number and
specialized micro-electronic circuitry (a transponder) for
communicating this unique number to an RFID reader.
The RFID is called a passive communication device because it
does not contain a battery. Rather, it uses electromagnetic
energy received from the RFID reader to power the transponder
and send a radio signal containing the unique identification
number back to the reader. This number can then be fed directly
to a computer for recording.
RFID technology works in dirty, dusty and moist environments
and does not require a direct line-of-sight to work. This means
the technology works exceptionally well in livestock and
carcase processing environments.
Barcodes
Barcodes are used extensively in many applications around the
world, including on tags and labels. Barcoded eartags are available
for individual animal identification.
Information is stored in the barcode by making parallel lines with
certain thickness and gaps. When a barcode is scanned using a
barcode reader, the reader decodes the barcode to reveal it's
unique identifying number. The barcode scanner can be linked to a
to a computer to record these unique numbers.
Genetic (DNA) Traceback
Every animal has a unique genetic makeup (it's DNA). Genetic testing to determine an
animal's unique DNA profile can be used to trace the identity of meat products back to
individual animals for source verification and quality assurance.
DNA diagnostics can also be used to determine the parentage of animals to allow sire
or pedigree testing and for the selection of livestock with desirable traits.
Via strategic partnership, AgInfoLink can offer our clients a number of DNA based
processes and services. These products include Gene Marker Technology, for carcase and
meat quality, plus DNA services fingerprinting for parentage and traceback. An
important part of these service includes DNA sample gathering and storage labels, for
both meat/blood samples and for hair samples, plus services to store and analyse these
samples.
Example 1 Bull Selection.
For cattle producers, selection of bulls is critical to introducing or modifying
specific traits of progeny. It is not usually achievable to directly link performance
of progeny animals and carcases to bulls because of multiple sire mating. Not all
performance characteristics of stock and carcases can be attributed to genetics,
however, genetics do play a major factor. If producers can be presented data that
highlights animals as being exceptionally good or poor performers, it would be very
beneficial to be able to know what bulls could be linked, thus enabling replacement
bulls to be selected that mirror the bulls linked to exceptionally good progeny. Bulls
linked to poor performing progeny would be culled. To achieve the outcome of
objectively based bull selection, AgInfoLink offers producers DNA sampling and Storage
tools to gather DNA from Bulls at a property level and to gather DNA from progeny at a
carcase level. AgInfoLink systems can be used to gather and store!
live animal data and carcase data, plus, link the DNA sample numbers for live animals
and carcases to eartag numbers carcase ticket numbers.
Using AgInfoLink's reporting tools, key performance data can be reported to show
exceptional animals (good or bad) and list their DNA sample numbers. Producers can
identify progeny of interest. Using the DNA sample numbers stored in the AgInfoLink
system, a DNA parentage test can then be undertaken DNA from carcases is then linked
to bulls.
