Research at UAF - Computer Assisted Identification of the Large Ruminants
PI: Prof Dr Muhammad Younas
Department: Dept of Livestock Management, Dean, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, UAF
Telephone: + 92 (041)-9200161-170 Ext. 3200
Fax: + 92 (041)-9200195
E-mail: myounas07@gmail.com
CO-PI: Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob
Postal Address: Dept of Livestock Management, Dean, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Telephone: +92(041)-9200161-170 Ext. 3209
Fax: 92 (041)-9200195
E-mail: uaflm@yahoo.com
Duration: 36 months
Cost: Rs. 4.204 Million
Funding Agency: Endowment Fund (EFS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Progress Reports

Electronic identification devices; A, neck chain transponder

Abstract
Identification is very essential because without proper identification, record keeping is impossible. But in the beginning of 1970, the first electronic identification system was brought into being at some research institutes which was later adopted by many developed and developing countries to control and manage their livestock herds. Individual animal identification is an important consideration for improving animal performance, maintaining proper records for increasing efficiency in management, selection and culling decisions. The ID systems are also expected to provide the benefits like, easy management, efficient production records of milking, feeding and breeding, livestock tracing during transportation and grazing and ultimate leads to animal traceability, in a food chain system. A computerized identification (ID) was introduced first time in lactating water buffaloes of similar age, weight and parity by using two treatments to compare (i) the computerized ID devices like neck chain transponders and ceramic rumen boluses, (ii) their application safety and durability, (iii) the efficiency of reading and recognizing the devices on daily basis, and (iv) the trends and extent of providing a temper proof system. It was concluded from the study that EIDs provide easy management, labor saving and is economical for commercial herds. Application of NCTs is much safe as compared to rumen boluses and conventional tags but the drawback of neck chain transponders that these have minimum retention rate. Application of rumen boluses was not as easy and safe as NCTs but these have high retention rate. These provide a temper proof Identification system. Does not alter the growth performance and induce positive changes in the anatomical characteristics of the reticulorumen. From the study it was concluded that these affordable models will provide future replication incentives in the livestock industry and are expected to lead to efficient management of the dairy enterprises.
Keywords: Water buffaloes, computerized identification, transponders, rumen bolus, Efficiency, Pakistan.

Problem Statement
The automization the large ruminants kept at Livestock Experiment Station (LES), UAF through electronic transponders or electronic ear tags identifiable by the electronic readers and computer programs.

Objectives
Objective of this project is to (i) compare the computerized ID devices like transponders and rumen boluses, their application safety and durability ease (ii) the efficiency of reading and recognizing the devices on daily basis, and (iii) the trends and extent of providing a temper proof system, cost effectiveness and management ease.

Methodology
Selection of animals
A total of 15 lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes were used in this study at Livestock Experiment Station (LES), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). The experiment was conducted in the months from April to July 2009. The animals were approximately of the same age, weight and lactation number.
The animals were assigned specific numbers for their record keeping through identification devices including Neck Chain Transponders (NCT) and ceramic Rumen Boluses (cRB) during the study according to the procedure as described by Caja et al. (1998). The transponders (T-1) and rumen boluses (T-2) were applied on 5 animals each and were compared keeping a control group of 5 animals (C) on traditional tattoo numbers or ear tags. Both devices were compared for their efficiency, readability, temper proofing, and cost effectiveness. Reading performances were evaluated under static conditions as proposed by Caja et al. (1999) and Conill et al. (2000).
A series of Neck-Chain Transponders (Rumitag S.L. C/ Esmeragda, 19-21 Sat. 1ª Esplugues de Llobregat-08950, Barcelona, Spain) (Fig. 1A) applied on milking buffaloes selected from herd of Livestock Experiment Station (LES), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). All the transponders were locked up securely in blue strap (Fig. 1B) identifying the experimental buffaloes. Their traditional name and tag numbers were unchanged and were kept as a back up system.
A series of ceramic Rumen Bolus (cRB) (Rumitag S.L. C/Esmeragda, 19-21 Sat. 1ª Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 BARCELONA, Spain) were injected in the rumen of selected lactating buffaloes from the milking herd at the LES, UAF. The ceramic case produced with a necessary size and density (2.75) to ensure that the bolus is retained in the rumen/reticulum. The zero porosity and atoxic ceramic material (zirconium) of high specific weight (> 3.3 g/cm3) was used in bolus for enclosing different types of glass encapsulated transponders. Shape (cylindrical, rounded edges at the extremities) and physical characteristics of the bolus (external diameter: 11±0.3 mm; length: 55 mm; weight: 19.2 g) were designed to allow oral administration to adult animals and to ensure permanent retention in the rumen of buffalo. The final weight of sealed boluses was over 67 g (Fig. 1C).
Application gun (ISO Compatible Rumitag Stick S/N 06272) was used for firing of the boluses in the rumen of buffaloes (Fig. 1D). Buffaloes were brought to crush and were restrained before applications; the experience got during the application facilitated the procedure (Fig. 1E). The experience had dictated that buffaloes were not docile and these were hard animal as compared to cow in handling during experiments. If not smart and careful, buffalo tends to take these hard boluses into tobacco pouches, delaying the application time.
The 5 selected lactating buffaloes as control group were included having conventional tags numbers. The visual identification was done during twice milking per day.
A hand held Ges Reader (Rumitag S.L. C/ Esmeragda, 19-21 Sat. 1ª Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 BARCELONA, Spain), was applied for identification of the EIDs including NCTs and cRB of experimental lactating buffaloes (Fig. 1F) when these went to place for machine milking (Fig. 1G).
Buffalos readings were recorded twice at milking hours by Morning and Evening each day. The hand held Ges Reader was applied before milking to identify the animals neck-chain transponders (NCTs) and ceramic Rumen Bolus (cRB) numbers, to observe the level discomfortness to see the buffalo responses.
The data thus collected for various parameters were analyzed by using the means, averages and chi Square techniques by using the latest version of the SPSS (2003).

Results and Discussion              
Neck chain transponders:
The neck chain transponders (NCTs) were applied on 5 lactating buffaloes All NCTs were easily worn as it was a routine matter for all buffaloes. All Transponders were half duplex (HDX) with a system to respond during a pause after it is charged with energy during activation (Kampers et al. 1999).
Before application, all NCTs were tested and detected with hand held Ges Reader. Two time readings (M/E) were taken in a day at each milking hr making a total of 10 readings for each animal. Time per reading taken has been described in Table I. No NCTs was lost in the beginning. Reading distance in our study observed was 3-4 cm for first two weeks then it was 25 cm throughout the whole duration. The Ges Reader range of 25 cm has been confirmed by many workers (Carne et al., 2008; Fallon, 2001) while static reader with a range of 80 cm has also been used by many workers (Caja et al., 1998).
Application of the neck chain transponders did not pose any stress on the buffaloes as it was routine practice for farm animals. Some disturbances were observed due to the rush of new staff, picture taking timing and at the time of reading of NCTs for identifications before milking. The structure of Ges antenna was almost like a stick, which made all animals to pretend for striking or beating, making them nervous. Discomfortness was observed only for 1st week. In our local condition, people handle their animals with the help of a stick, seeing the animals become nervous and frightened. Similarly our buffaloes also become nervous, when they saw the ID devices especially stick antenna of Ges Reader. Approaching from side made the animals less nervous, as compared to approaching from the front. The reading of all NCTs was 100% at application day as well as at day 7. Disturbed animal’s ratio was decreased with the passage of time.
The observations on NCTs regarding readings, successful reading, and time per reading, read or not read, transponders lost, reading distance and reading % ages are presented in the Table I. The observations were recorded for day 1 to 75 in the study. During this period, no loss or missing of NCTs or animal was observed. Reason of taking 2 reading was lactating animals and at each milking time readings were taken. Whereas at 15 and 45 day, two NCTs were not available. Loss of our transponders was only due to weak strap. The transponders were recovered from the barn and were placed in the neck of animals. Factors responsible for variations in the results were analyzed and reported were very similar to our observations, as reported by many workers like Smits et al. (2001), e.g. loss of transponders due to their greater weight and dimension of the type of transponder. But it has been demonstrated previously that losses increased with transponder size as reported by Garin et al. (2005). Stanford et al. (1999) observed 6-20% losses in their experiment due to grasping their necks with solids objects.
The total time taken in the study for identification of NCTs through hand held Ges Reader on animals ranged from 6-18 seconds, while the time taken for visual identification at control animals was more than 3-4 minutes. Fallon (2001) observed average time for each reading 24 seconds for the ID of adult animals during an experiment. Hasker and Bassingthwaighte (1995) resulted the poor readout electronic identification (EID) transponders due to the broken and lost of electronic transponders. Our non missing value is due to short duration and safe method of study.
The readability range of NCTs was to the tune of 90-100% throughout the experiment and overall readability was 99.60%. Lambooij et al. (1999) reported a readability of 88 to 98% for 30 mm transponder. Conill et al. (2000, 2002) observed a readability of 94.8% in cattle. Only 2 days it was 90% due temporary falling of transponders. Requirements of an identification system (Saa et al., 2005) that is permanent and unique, that does not produce apparent disturbances to the animals at application, and that is tamper-proof.
Figure 2 shows time taken for each reading of EIDs. At application or zero day, average time for each reading was 12 seconds. The day after application time required for each reading 6 seconds throughout the experiment except day 7 and day 30 when it was 18 and 12 seconds, respectively. Carne et al. (2008) observed time for reading on the hand-held reader did not differ among breed and transponder type, averaging 27±1 second.
The neck chains for not uncommon for our buffaloes; however, EIDs like transponders were new for them. When the reader (individual) went closer to these buffaloes for reading, these buffaloes got afraid of the antenna of Ges Reader. But with the passage of time, these buffaloes got used to them. Which are explained in Figure 3 indicating the number of discomfort animals was higher (5) at zero days and declined to four (4) at day 1 and two at day 7. After this buffaloes become used to the antenna of the Ges Reader or the experience gained during the experiment made the reader to be careful, and approaching become more humanely. It shows that all buffaloes have shown nervousness only during first week but Ghirardi et al. (2006a) used 22 calves in an experiment and observed 4% discomfortness which lead to death of these calves. He further stated the cause of death was due to younger age but not the electronic devices.

Rumen bolus:
The ceramic Rumen Boluses (cRB) were inserted to 5 Nili-Ravi buffaloes with the help of Rumitag Applicator (Rumitag S.L. C/ Esmeragda, 19-21 Sat. 1ª Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 BARCELONA, Spain) as described earlier. When the cRB were deposited in the oropharynx, the involuntary deglutition was stimulated; the boluses were swallowed by all animals without injury or any clinical effects. The average time required by a single operator to administer the rumen bolus in the lactating buffaloes was observed as 3-4 min which is inline with the studies done by other workers. The time taken in restraining of buffaloes also included in it. This more time was due to large size of buffaloes. According to Ghirardi et al. (2006a) the average time required by a single operator to administer the boluses, with the calves restrained in a head-locker, was 44.6 seconds but Caja et al. (1999) recorded time 19 seconds per animal in calves of 1 to 20 wks of age during the application of rumen boluses.
The new Ges Reader worked properly which Company claimed that they have tested on water buffaloes in Italy and detected all the boluses in our dairy buffaloes afterwards.
The readings of the cRB pertaining to schedule, success rate, read/lost, distance and time in reading, any abnormality or discomfortness and overall reading % are given in the (Table II). The cRB readings were taken twice a day at each milking hour. The total readings of all animals in rumen bolus group were 10 per day. At application day or day zero, the time in the beginning for each reading was 40 seconds, increased as stated above, after the replacement of Ges Reader it remained in the range of 6-12 seconds. After this replacement, all cRB were detected successfully throughout the study duration except 2 rumen boluses at day 30 due low charging of the Ges Reader. Reading distance of Ges Reader was 25 cm except the earlier non read days and it was same for all blouses.
Boluses were especially designed for animals so they did not have any deleterious effect on health of animals. So all animals remained with us for the whole duration. Only three animals became ill due to nervous, frightened, heat wave or metabolic disorder, not because of rumen boluses. Soon they become healthy due to timely treatment. At the day of application (day zero) all the animals were disturbed and discomfort. At day after application their number decreased to 4, at day 7 three animals and ultimately 2 animals were discomfort at 15 day. Reading % of this group remained 100% except for non-read days and one day (day 30) for which it remained 80%. Overall readability % of this group was 99.67%.
Their data was later transferred to the PC for further information and processing. Scoring system of all rumen boluses in our study has been described above but according to Caja et al. (1999) the application of a rumen bolus was possible. Stimulation of the involuntary deglutition reflex by placing the bolus in the oropharynx seems to be a key practice for safe application in animals. They further reported that no injuries or accidents were observed to the animals during the application of the new ceramic boluses.
Using bolus guns to administer therapeutics can cause severe problems. An electronic rumen bolus provides a safe, tamper-proof method of electronic animal ID. The success of the electronic rumen bolus (Fallon 2001) is facilitated by having an applicator which delivers the bolus directly to the rumen/reticulum in adult animals.
The overall reading with hand held Ges Reader in our study was 99.67%. But with regard to the readability of the electronic bolus, handheld transceivers used in an experiment were able to read all the present boluses at any age of animals, despite the reading difficulties indicated by Klindtworth et al. (1999) in similar conditions. Moreover, dynamic reading efficiency for the different types of ruminal boluses used was 100% at each reading control done. These values agreed with the 99% efficiency reported by Caja et al. (1996b) and Baldo and Goitia (2000) in cattle.
Time for detection of all animals ranged from 6-12 seconds. Actually this time was only the reading of rumen boluses; the time for restraining of animals was not included. Readings became available as indicated in the Table II.
Figure 5 shows time for each reading. In the beginning of this study average time for each reading was 40 seconds. Then at first day after application, time required for each reading was also 40 seconds. At 7 day it was 60 seconds. Time per reading at day 15 was 6 seconds. After 29 days it was 12 seconds. At 45 and 60 day it was 6 seconds.
Dynamic reading efficiency for the different types of ruminal boluses used was 100% at each reading. These values agreed with the 99% efficiency reported by Caja and Vilaseca (1996) and Baldo and Goitia (2000).

At the day of application (day 0) of rumen boluses all the animals (5) were disturbed and showed a high level of discomfortness. At day 1 after application, their number decreased to 4, at day 7 there was 3 animals and ultimately 2 animals were discomfort at day 15. After this all animals were in normal condition till to day 75. Reading % of this group remained 100% except the non-read days and at day 30 for which it remained 80%. Our reading % age ranged from 80-100. Overall readability % of this group was 99.76%. While Garin et al. (2005) also observed 100% reading in an experiment using 303 calves. Fallon and Rogers (2001) using a bolus with a specific density of 1.75 in sheep and goats, reported a 100% loss rate within 8 weeks of administration. The loss was through regurgitation. Ribo et al. (1994) reported that boluses with a low density were regurgitated. Boluses with a specific density of 2.15 had a loss rate of 13% within 8 weeks of administration.
Weight of bolus used in this study was 72.49 gm with density of 2.75. Retention rate was 100%. Retention rate increased with bolus weight but deceased with volume (Garin et al., 2005). But there was considerable divergence as to what is the critical specific density required in order to achieve good bolus retention in the rumen. Hanton (1981) reported that a specific density of 1.75 was the minimum which would allow the capsule or bolus to remain in the rumen.
Conventional Identification system in Vogue in our country requires more time for identification of animals. In a large herd it is very difficult for a manager to observe his herd in a short time. The Figure 6 shows the readings of our control group over the experimental period (0-75d). This group was visually observed when these animals came for milking in the parlor. The average time required for each reading was 2.5 minutes. It is too much time for this purpose meanwhile EID system can identify large number of animals within a short span of time. Under commercial or large herds identification become real problem, especially when no confining chutes are made available. The EID plays a vital role in counting the animals in larger herds rewarding the farmers and giving them satisfaction to the owners and making record keeping much easier.



Animal with neck chain transponder

Conclusions
While working on rumen transponders and rumen boluses, it is concluded that the both devices can be safely used and are tamper-proof methods for electronic identification of dairy animals. That can improve the reliability for identification and management of dairy animals under farm conditions.

Recommendations
Although the bolus can represent a safe and tamper-proof method of electronic identification of the dairy animals are kept under intensive farm conditions. But it is costly and is not feasible for a small farmer.  It will be very useful venture for large dairy herds maintained on commercial basis. It will prove a gateway for the development of modern dairy. On the other hand it has to be cost effective for small farmers.

NB: The full length article is available on request.

Table I.     Reading results and readability (%) of the neck chain transponders (NCTs) in lactating buffaloes.

Reading  Day

Transponder Animals  (n)

Reading/day (M/E)

Successful Readings

Time taken / reading (sec.)

Transponder  not Read or Lost

Reading Distance

Animals Missing

Discomfort- able Animals

Reading %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 Day

5

2

10

12

0

3-4 cm

0

5

100

1 day

5

2

10

6

0

3-4 cm

0

4

100

7 day

5

2

10

18

0

3-4 cm

0

2

100

15 day

5

2

9*

6

1

3-4 cm

0

0

90

30 day

5

2

10

12

0

25 cm

0

0

100

45 day

5

2

9*

6

1

25 cm

0

0

90

60 day

5

2

10

6

0

25 cm

0

0

100

75 day

5

2

10

6

0

25 cm

0

0

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


* NCTs lost due to strap problem

Table II.    Reading results and readability (%) of the boluses in lactating buffaloes.

Reading Type

Animals Bolused (n)

Reading/day

Successful Readings

Time taken/ Reading (sec.)

Bolus Not Read or Lost

Reading Distance

Not Present Animals

Illness

Discomfort able Animals

Reading %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 d

5

2

_

40

0

0 cm*

0

0

5

_

1d

5

2

_

40

0

0 cm*

0

0

4

_

7 d

5

2

_

60

0

0 cm*

0

0

3

_

15 d

5

2

10

6

0

25 cm*

0

0

2

100

30 d

5

2

8

12

2

25 cm

0

1

0

80

45 d

5

2

10

6

0

25 cm

0

0

0

100

60 day

5

2

10

6

0

25 cm

0

1

0

100

75 day

5

2

10

12

0

25 cm

0

1

0

100