RFID TECHNOLOGY USED FOR IDENTIFICATION AND [617893]

RFID TECHNOLOGY USED FOR IDENTIFICATION AND
TEMPERATURE MONITORING OF CATTLE

RFID UTILIZATE PENTRU IDENTIFICAREA SI MONITORIZAREA
TEMPERATURII TAURINELOR

Ioan Huțu1, Florin Ionescu2, Andrei Cimponeriu and Chilințan Mircea 3

Summary

The purpose of thi s study is to establish the best implantation location of the RFIDs for cattle
identification and for the most accurate body temperature determination.
For this study 19 RFID devices have been implanted in 4 (four) different body areas ( retro
auricular , in the 2/3rd of the neck, retro mammary and the shank region) in 5 (five) cows. The
aim of the stu dy was to check the accuracy of the ID sent by the transponder as well as
measuring the body temperature indicated by the RFID and the internal body temperature
(measured by rectal thermometer) on every two hours for five days. After analyzing the data ,
it can observe d that the chip implanted in the retro auricular region can estimate efficiently
rectal body temperature, with r = +0,512 at p < 0,001 . The transpon der’s temperature value
is highly influenced by the implantation site; by the temperature reading accuracy the best
implantation site is the retro -auricular region – followed by the 2/3rd neck region, the retro –
mammary region and the shank region .

Keywords: dairy systems, monitoring management, body temperature and RFID (Radio
Frequency Identification Device)

Introduction

The electronic iden tification of the animals from distance through radio
frequency (RFID) is generally composed of three components – a reader, a tag
(172 radiofrequency transponder) and a data processing device, which can be
based on a PC or other microcontrollers . The transponder, a passive device, does
not own an internal energy source , but it allows rea ding the ID code when the
transponder is activated by the reader ’s signal. The communication between the
transponder and the reader can be realized through 2 data sending proceedings
(semi -duplex, HDX and integral duplex, FDX -B). After sending the data telegram,
the transponder returns to a passive state until the next activation. (7, 8, 10 )
The purpose of this study is to establish the best implantation site of the
RFIDs for cattle identification and for the most accurate body temperature
determination and through analyzing the correla tion between the body temperature

1 Hutu Ioan, PhD, Extension Unit – Banat University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine,
Disc. Husbandry and Animal Productions, 119 Arad ului St. Timisoara -300645, RO, i.hutu@unitate –
extensie. org.ro
2 Ionescu Florin, PhD Student: [anonimizat] , 119 Aradului St. Timisoara -300645, RO, florin.ionescu@uex -usamvbt.org
3 Cimponeriu Andrei – PhD, [anonimizat] and Chilintan Mircea – Dipl eng ,
mircea_chilintan@ yahoo.com , S.C. E5invent SRL, Research & Development in science and
engineering Timisoara , 19/21 A. Popovici St, 300050

from the accepted reference system (internal body temperature determined by
rectal thermometer ) and the body temperature indicated by the RFID.

Materials and methods

The systems used in this case were
the RFIDs TX1400B – nano chip RFID
with bio -thermo reader and the Universal
Bio-Thermo Pocket -Reader EX with a 125
or 134.2 kHz action frequencies .
The operating principle consists of
the transmission of a radio si gnal from the
reader to the microchip . After receiving the
sent signal, the microchip sends back to
the reader the ID code and the
temperature recorded in that body region.
The transmitted data can be seen on the
reader’s LED display. (9)
Before the c hips actual implantation
in the animal’s body, the c hips were calibrated in water with temperature controlled
through two 0 , 02°C accuracy thermometers. This is where the ID and temperature
were read for each Celsius degree from the 36 -43°C and 43 -36°C interva ls; there
were two readings for each interval.
Five cows were used in this study, each in different physiological stages,
with differe nt milk productions – each cow h as been implanted with four RFID
devices; briefly the used animals are identified and hav e the following
morfophisiological characteristics:

To get the best bod y region which allows getting the most accurate results, the
microchips have been implanted in four body regions as follows: 1. the retro
auricular region; 2. the 2/3rd of the neck; 3. the retro mammary region and 4. the
shank region.

Photo 1. RFID inoculation in the retro –
mammary region

Photo 2. RFID implantation sites
Retro auricular , in the mid dle of the neck region, the 2/3rd of the shank region, and at the
second half of the udder’s suspensor ligament

Table 1.
Morpho -physiological traits from studied cattle
Cattle I.D. High Body weight Milk
production Physiological stage
6774 129 550 14 33rd lactation day
0279 126 530 10 76th lactation day
0337 130 540 13 57th lactation day
8953 132 570 9 60th lactation day
7895 131 560 – last pregnancy week

The internal body tempera tures
as well as the temperature indicated by
the RFID devices were read for a five
days period every two hours; each
reading was d one twice and the final
value was the arithmetic mean of the
two reading s.
The variables considered to be
involved in expressing the temperature
are: 1. individuality; 2. implantation
site; 3. the time of body temperature
reading; 4. the cow’s physiologi cal
stage (pregnant and dairy cows) and 5.
The cows’ health stage (healthy and
sick cows).
For the statistical sustainment and demonstration of the hypothesis, the
internal body temperature and the cow’s ID number were used as control variables.
The s tatistical processing aimed mainly the use of the next tests: Continuous
variables correlation tests (correlations and regressions), associating the
continuous variables with the categorical ones (ANOVA) an d the T Student test, to
determine the means diffe rences.

Results and Discussion

At the calibration , a correlation was noticed between the water temperatures
and the ones indicated by the RFID’s with a value of r=+0,996 at p ≤ 0,001. This
correlation allows the RIFD’s use , although, there is a mean dif ference of –
0,075±0,023°C between the water and the RFID’s indicated temperature.

Correlations and regressions between the rectal and the RFID’s temperatures
By ignoring the transductor’s inoculation site, the temperature read on the
RFID device is low c orrelated with the central temperature, the one measured with
the veterinary thermometer; the correlation is r = +0,239 at p < 0,001. By analyzing
the variation generated by the RFID’s implantation site the following value was
obtained F = 51,58 at p < 0,0 01; this aspect clearly suggests that the transponder’s
temperature value is significantly influenced by the implantation site.

In the retro-auricular region the corre lation is higher and is value r = +0,512
at p < 0,001. In this case, the regression trajectory can be determined by the

Photo 3. Temperature and ID reading at the
retro auricular region

equation 5.3 but the multiple determination coefficient explains 26,3 % from the
temperature variability read on the RFID.

TRFID°C = 17 , 4+ 0,513 T rectal°C (1.1)
The obtained data sugge st that the transponder’s temperature value in the
retro-auricular region can efficiently estimate the central temperature value.

In the 2/3rd of the neck the correla tion between the RFID’s and the rectal
temperatures is higher, of r = +0, 456 at p < 0,001. In this case, the regression
trajectory can be determined by the equation 5.4 but the multiple determination
coefficient explains 20,8 % from the temperature variabi lity read on the RFID.
TRFID°C = 12 , 3 + 0,636 T rectal°C (1.2)
The obtained data ( see also graph ic 2) suggest s that the transponder’s
temperature value can estimate the central temperature value but with a lower
accuracy then the previous position.
In the case of the transponders implanted in the shank region the correlation
is negative an d as low as r = – 0,213 at p < 0,001. In this case, the regression
trajectory can be determined by the equation 5.5 T he multiple determ ination
coefficient explains only 4,5 % from the temperature variability read by the RFID.
TRFID°C = 57 , 4 – 0,542 T rectal°C (1.3)
The obtained data suggest that the transponder’s temperature value in this
region can not satisfactory estimate the central temperature value.
In the retro-mammary region the correlation is higher, of r = +0,273 at p <
0,001. In this case, the regression trajectory can be determined by the equation 5.6
but the multiple determination coefficien t explains 7,4 % from the temperature
variability read on the RFID.

TRFID°C = 13 , 6 + 0,600 T rectal°C (1.4)
The obtained data suggest that the RFID’s temperature value in this region
can not satisfactory estimate the ce ntral temperature value.
Probably, one of the factors that influence , the temperature’s variation is the
periodical emptying the mammary gland. Also, the fact that about 35 -40% of the
udder’s surface remains in contact with the ground during resting times could be a
cause for conduction heat loss.

Graphic 1. Circadian temperature distribution in cow no. 8953 in the 5th study
day

Discussions regarding the RFID’s placement
After reading and correlating the RFID’s temperatures of the four
implantation sites with the rectal temperature, the conclusion can be drawn that the
neck region does not indicate the correct temperature. Merks and Lambooij have
also studied four implantation sites. In that study the sites were:
1) subcutaneous in the head region, 10 cm lateral and caudal of the nostril
specifying that it is a sensitive region, it is h ardly approachable, and the reading is
done through the front, w hich makes us get into the animal’s conflict area, leading
to stress; 2) at the ear base; 3) in the neck region, intramuscular, ventral from the
nucal ligament and 10 cm cranial; 4) on the lat eral side of the neck, cranial of the
shoulder joint. Both chips in the neck region were not faithful to the internal
temperature. (4)
The Grange research centre have implanted RFIDs in different regions of the
body in order to establish the ideal site c orrelated with the reading and the
postmortem retrieving : (5)
The S zone : the insertion point was at the middle of the caudal ear surface,
at 4 cm from its base. For the implantation a 4 , 5 cm needle was used inserted at
45ș from the longitudinal axis.
The D zone : the insertion point was above the ear. For the implantation a 4,5
cm needle was inserted subcutaneous near the ear base at 45ș from the
longitudinal axis. (1,6 )
The C zone : the insertion point was in the palpable swale before the
scutiform cart ilage’s tip. The transponder was implantated in the tissue at the ear
base. The C zone was selected as an implantation site, because it was considered
that the transponder would be well protected under the triangular cartilage. (1, 2)
The L zone: the trans ponder was subcutaneous implanted in the upper lip, at
5 cm caudo -lateral of the nostril. The L zone is inadequate, because it is a high
mobility area, it does not indicate an accurate temperature, the mobility, the
consumption of cold food, the water cons umption, could all influence the read
temperature. (3)
The P zone: the insertion pint was at the caudal ear base, in a right angle
from the longitudinal axis. For the implantation a 4,5 cm needle was used, inserted
near the base. The depth at which the tr ansponder was implanted was controlled
with a guiding rule being set at 1 cm distance from the needle and parallel from it.
(3)
The nanoc hips monitor the body temperature, a health state indicator but
also a sickness indicator, allowing the detection, con trol and evolution of the
infectious diseases in or outside the disease center. The use of the electronic
readers makes the data reading and transfer to a central data base very easy, and
it rules out the errors registered at the data hand writing. In case of simultaneous
registered fever episodes or at short periods of time at several animals, different
infectious or parasitic diseases can be considered. Contro lling animal movement or
fraud trading in a disease center is easily done, many farmers being ten ted to sell
the sick animals.
In the same way, a body temperature drop can indicate poor care, poor
microclimate conditions, but also some poisoning.

Cattle identification through RFID devices
By implementing the RFID cattle identification system we ca n say that we
have no wrong ID number readings and the falsification chances are practically
none. At the same time the „ From stable to table” principle is regarded, having a
clear image of the animal’s course from a raising farm to slaughtering.
We must h ave a clear image of the animal’s course, and the reuse of the ID
tags is not allowed; in the same time by using the nanotechnologies the situation
must be avoided in which the chip lands in the food chain – the accidental insertion
of the microchips in fo ods.

Conclusions

 The RFID’s temperature faithfully copies the descending or ascending
temperature of the calibration water, which allows us to sustain the
hypothesis that this also happens in the animal’s body.
 The RFID cattle identification is 100% ac curate; practically, no reading has
shown another cow ID value then the real one.
 There are no cases of transponder migration.
 The transponder’s temperature value is highly influenced by the implantation
site; by the temperature reading accuracy the best implantation site is the
retro-auricular region – followed by the 2/3rd neck region, the retro –
mammary region and the shank region.
 The RFID temperature value from the shank or retro -mammary region
cannot constantly and accuracy estimates the central tem perature value.

References
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7.***http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_1178 4_&_11785
8.***RFID for Livestock and Animal Identification http://www.electrocom.com.au/rfid_
animalid .htm .
9.***New*Universal Bio -Thermo Pocket EX Reader , http://www.rileyid.com .
10.***www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/what_is_rfid.htm .
.