June 16, 2006

Canadian researchers invent tag to track cattle health

The Alberta Research Council is using remote sensors and wireless transmitters to send real-time information on individual animals to allow producers to track their health.

The technology allows early intervention on sick or stressed animals and prevents the higher costs incurred when the disease becomes more serious or results in death, said Lloyd Osler, president of Ovistech, the company that provided the software.

The Feedlot Animal Remote Sensing (FARM) project is a milestone in animal health monitoring and a great example of public and private partnership, Osler said.

Ovistech and ARC launched the project in 2004.

The project, launched in 2004, allows cattle health to be monitored through ear tags recording temperature and collars that track movement. High temperature and lack of movement are key indications of a sick animal. The collar also contains a transmitter that sends the information to a base station.

After successful field trials last month, the team is now looking for partners to refine the technology and take it to commercial production, he said.

He estimates the technology would be deployed in the dairy industry in six months and in beef cattle in 12 to 18 months. 

The device, expected to cost producers US$5 to US$7 per animal, is expected to provide cost savings through early intervention and treatment of disease and cut labour costs required to check each animal's health individually.