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Short Range EID Tags

 

Brief Description

Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) for livestock are either applied to the ear of the animal or placed subcutaneously.  The are often referred to as an EID or an electronic ear tag and provide simple and accurate identification of animals.  The tags are encoded with a 15-digit unique identification number and come in a variety of tag styles. 

Tag Styles

Passive electronic tags typically represent a button style tag with a standard stud application.  These tags can be purchased in paired or nested sets which comes with a button style electronic tag and matching bangle tag.  For those that want it all in a single tag there is a combo tag which has an electronic component and visual bangle component.  These tags are non-reusable and the unique number is never duplicated within the numbering system.

Retention

Most bangle style ear tags are rated around 95 to 99%, the electronic tags are a little smaller and have been reported at an average of 98% retention.  The largest reported retention losses were due to bale string that was not removed from round or square bales but this is typical for any style of livestock ear tag.

Tag Anatomy

The tag consists of three (3) primary components:

  1. Copper Coil (most expensive component)
  2. Capacitor
  3. Microchip or Integrated Circuit

Copper has a very high thermal and electrical conductivity, which harnesses the electromagnetic field created by the wand or panel reader.  The power is transferred down the coil and into the capacitor which basically filters out interference and regulates the power sent to the microchip.  The microchip receives the charge and submits the radio waves that are tuned specifically to 134.2 KHz.  The signal includes the encoded unique 15-digit identification number which is then received by the antenna in the wand or panel and transmitted to a computer or hand held PC that is attached either serial or Bluetooth.

Common Factors Affecting EID Tag Readability:

  • Length of Copper Coil (more copper = better read)
  • Molding Defects- Slight molding defects can render a tag unreadable, most manufacturers have high quality control standards and will filter out "dead" tags prior to packaging.
  • FDX and HDX tag technologies- readers must be programmed to read both types of tags (All Fort Supply Products will read both tag technologies).

Electronic Tag Selection