Instructions on APPLICATION OF THE RFID EARTAG

[SADIE]

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[SADIE]

This instruction sheet was not placed in each of the eartag bags. This instruction sheet has now become known and given as evidence at a tribunal hearing in Jan 2011 COLEMAN VS CFIA.

Grassfarmer---In the RFID bags that were purchased for the last several years there was several instructions on application that accompanied the RFID tags.

1)Disinfect each Male button in disenfectant before applying the RFID eartag to the animal.

2)Use a new hole when you apply an RFID eartag.

3)Placement is in the middle third of the ear ---ideally between the two ribs of the animals ear.

Not being an "expert" but someone that has been in the industry since 1970. Sold all types of animal identification through the decades. The allflex system (button back) has had historical retention problems since entering the industry.

Problems with tagging into the inner 1/3 of the animals ear.

SCANNING SEMINAR and continued discussion with scanning equipment. Some scanners including the "panel scanners" could not pick up the "read" on tags that were too close to the animals brain. Look at the scanning radius on the first post of the insert that was not in the bag of RFID eartags.


Veterinary seminars---Acute Pain in the bovine animal. SVMA FALL 2010 discussed the problems of the inner third of the animals ear. Thicker cartilage and very tender/painfull part of the ear. Animals respond to pain/have memory and that area was discouraged to have the tag placement.

Jan 2011 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practicioners Dr. Temple Grandin spoke specifically of the tenderness of the horse's ear and related to the adult bovine ear---Bull and Cows. Very tender area and painful to be applying button's that take a "wedge" of cartilage out of the ear.

Now if and when that button is lost (Backs break down) because of these tags not meant for Canadian evironmental conditions---Look at the sheet (0 CELCIUS---50 CELCIUS) operatiing temperatures for these tags.

Or if the back of the tag gets snagged like it might with an occasional twine snag and the ear is now ripped. NOW MEMORY RECALL on this animal for the chute/ another re-tagging event leads to animal behaviour problems.

Constant retagging of the RFID eartag--ANIMAL WELFARE PROBLEM.


Now follow the instruction on the use of these RFID eartags. Disinfect in disenfectant, don't use the same hole twice and placement in the inner third of the year but now----DON'T USE THESE TAGS IF THE ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPS ARE BELOW 0 CELCIUS or the plastic next to the metal washer is a breakdown. BINGO.

Like I mentioned at the WCABP that the problem appears to always be with the male component of the eartag. Maybe if the companies used powder VIAGRA BLUE there will be a better chance of retention.

PS--GRASSFARMER--Two comments.

I only buy replacement bred-heifers from one operation. I often buy top-end out of the pen of 10 at agribition. Those animals become cows on my ranch and some go into two PFRA pastures. The 10 purchased this year at agribition already have 3 RFID tags missing. One is a ugly nasty ear-tear and the other two the buttons have just fell off the front of the animal.

2)Grassfarmer---The hill I chose to die on with June 15 2010 when after 30 months of research of the tagging problems and studing the language of the laws set out by the CCIA/Canadian Cattlemen and then gave to CFIA to enforce with "0" tolerance---I challanged the situation.

CHECK THE DECISIONS----CANADIAN AGRICULTURE REVIEW TRIBUNAL and now in 2012 ----there appears to be minimal fines and reasoning now on behave of enforcement of these "GONG SHOW LAWS"

[SADIE]

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Grassfarmer---thankyou for making an argument again on this whole RFID eartag saga. I am sure that those that are close to the CCIA group or the other groups that are so gung how on trying to push this "GONG SHOW FORWARD"

1)Pillar 1---animal identification

2)Pillar 2----Premise ID

3)Pillar 3---Movement of animals by scanning RFID tags

Lets go back to sqaure 1 and first solve permanent animal ID first.

[grassfarmer]

Yawn!! Truth is it's not a major issue.

[ALLFARMER]

No issue here we just make sure everyone that
hits the road gets one just prior to shipping. O
that just reminded me didn't check the 1 bull we
just shipped and didnt check the cow we took to
the vet....but o well the trailer lights were 90%
work properly.

Sad to hear the Conservatives drastically cut the
CFIA budget ... so so sad.

[ProFarmer]

Rfid tags are junk and i have let the manager of CCIA know he ammitted there was a big problem with the backs falling off but he said it was the manufacturers problem and would relay the message. To this day he has not got back to me. More lip from a useless government employee... I should forword his name ontoo Ritz to have him fired also...

[kato]

Tag tag and tag again. On the average, if we are taking four or five cows to market, at least one, and sometimes two or three need to be retagged. It's rare that we can haul cull cows to town without retagging something. We've got some old girls who are on their third tags. And we ALWAYS cut the twine from bales. BTW.

Why are we paying for these tags? Are we getting the benefit from them? Or are we providing a free service for others to benefit.... To say nothing of risking life and limb every time it's a bull that needs another tag.

I think that if it's so important to national food safety, and trade, it would be reasonable for tags to be provided. What the heck, a reader would be nice too. We're paying for everything, and all the benefits seem to be going everywhere but back to us.

[ProFarmer]

The letter has gone to Ritz and he always gives me a reply. Lets see what happens.:]

[mcfarms]

When the Alflex RFID tags came out we applied them just like the instruction sheet shows, it was a delight to see a month old calf that had stuck it's head out a fence some where with its ear tarm right almost to it's head, so I switched the position to the top of the ear in closer to the head and to my knowledge in probably 2500 plus head that I've shipped out of here since I made the switch I really don't think I've replaced a tag. I do admit I still get the odd calf ripping his maxi out and notching the ear but no where as deep or severe as if you had the RFID down beside it in that deeper position.

[mcfarms]

Reread the 1st post ad I can't comment whether my positionong of the tag where I do causes scanning issues as there is of course 0 feedback to the cow calf guy. If I was told to move positioning of the tag I would likely end up in court as I will not put the tags in the area where the "wedge" tear could occur either. I may eat them eventually but until then they get treated real well.