Browsing by Subject "Transponder"

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Adaption and assessment of a UHF-RFID system for livestock management
(2018) Adrion, Felix; Gallmann, Eva
A prerequisite for the implementation of concepts of precision livestock farming is data acquisition on the level of the individual animal, which is only possible on a large scale by applying electronic animal identification. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF, 860 – 960 MHz) offer the possibility of simultaneous detection of transponders and a variably adjustable read range of more than 3 m. Until now, these systems were, however, only insufficiently adapted to the operating conditions in livestock farming. In collaboration with industry partners, passive UHF-RFID transponders for integration into ear tags for cattle and pigs and readers have been developed and tested. The objective of this thesis was the adaption and assessment of this UHF-RFID system for livestock farming. In particular, 1) the construction and test of a static test bench for UHF-RFID ear tags, 2) the development of a method of measuring the influence of ear tissue on the performance of UHF-RFID ear tags, and 3) the application and validation of the UHF-RFID system for monitoring of trough visits of growing-finishing pigs should be carried out. The experiments supported the selection and further development of UHF transponder ear tags and reader antennas for application in livestock farming. A suitable test method for UHF-RFID technology in the fields of research covered was established and applied for the first time. It repeatedly became clear during the experiments that the greatest challenge for the application of UHF transponders in ear tags is the reduction of the sensitivity against ear tissue. In addition to the monitoring of animal health with UHF-RFID, further research could be carried out regarding the positioning of animals for measurement of motion activity, the combination of transponders with sensors, for example, to measure body temperature, and the utilisation of the technology for implementation of the Internet of Things in food supply chains.
Evaluation of a UHF RFID system for livestock
(2017) Hammer, Nora; Jungbluth, Thomas
A structural change could be observed within German animal production in recent years. Whereas the number of livestock holdings decreased, the number of animals per livestock holding increased. Because bigger livestock holdings are also often in a conflict of aims between sustainability, animal welfare and economy, a well-functioning and cost-effective management assistance is even more important. The collection of animal-related data and data from their environment with simple, innovative and low-cost techniques to improve animal welfare, animal health and animal performance, as well as the housing conditions, is a main part of so-called precision livestock farming (PLF). A possible solution for implementation of these thoughts is a technology called radio-frequency identification (RFID). The suitability of an UHF RFID system for simultaneous pig and cattle detection could be evaluated during a three year project, which was funded by the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, several UHF transponder ear tags had to be developed and tested in laboratory and practical experiments. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis of the UHF system based on four example barns had to be carried out to estimate the potential of the system for use in practice. Thereby, not only the costs and benefits of simultaneous animal detection were calculated, but also the costs and benefits of hotspot monitoring of the animals in their husbandry environment were estimated. Nine different transponder types for each animal species were developed within the duration of the project. During the development process, the antenna structure, antenna length and label material had to be varied to adjust the transponder to its immediate surroundings as optimally as possible. The grouting process of the transponder into the ear tag was also continuously improved. Before testing the UHF transponder ear tag types in practice, they were all tested on a dynamic test bench. Using this test bench, a preliminarily assessment of the in-house developed transponder types by themselves, with foreign and commercially available UHF transponder types under various conditions was possible. The number of readings per round was recorded and used to identify differences between the transponder types. The UHF transponder ear tag types were tested with the aid of driving experiments using pigs and cattle with a focus on their suitability and durability under practical conditions. While one gate in a stall environment was built in the driving experiments for the fattening pigs, with cattle, reader output power, reader orientation and the test environment were varied. In these experiments, the number of readings per round and the reading rates, which were the more decisive value in practice, were calculated. In the last stage of development, a suitable, well-functioning UHF transponder ear tag type and good average reading rates could be achieved for both animal species (pigs: ø 98 %; cattle: ø 99 %) While performing the cost-benefit analysis, it could be calculated that, at the present state of development of the UHF system, the benefits do not exceed the costs of the system in the fattening pig husbandry. In dairy cattle husbandry, a positive result could be reached only under the best estimations and the larger farm. However, the costs arising per animal are still too high to implement the systems on the market. Because of the early stage of development, the calculation of the costs and benefits was difficult and still holds uncertainties. Following the assumption that the UHF system will be developed to practical maturity, the costs calculated would be lower and an advantageousness of the system would be also expected for other farms. This work was sensible and necessary to get a first assessment of the costs and benefits. Great development progress could be achieved for the UHF RFID system and a large potential for PLF could be shown within this project, even if the system is not yet ready for market.
Untersuchungen zur Variation und Rhythmik der individuellen Futteraufnahme bei Pekingenten in Gruppenhaltung
(2003) Bley, Tobias Alexander Georg; Bessei, Werner
Methods to record feed intake in group reared individuals were only available for larger domestic species, such as pigs and cattle. Similar equipment for ducks using an antenna-receiver system had to be developed for the present study. The antenna was fitted nearby the feeder and the transponder was attached to the wing mark. The feeders were connected to an electronic scale and the following characteristics were recorded by a PC continuously: number of the bird, day, time of day, time of visits to the feeder, feed consumption. The system was suitable for duckling from 14 days old onwards. Two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1 a total of 50 male Pekin-type hybrid from 14 to 49 days of age were used. In experiment 2 records were taken from 480 male and female ducks of an experimental line from day 21 to 45. The birds were raised in groups on deep litter (straw). Commercial pelleted feed and water were provided ad libitum. The distance between feeders and drinkers was 1 m in experiment 1 and 5 m in experiment 2. The following traits were extracted from the records: Number of meals per day (defined as visits to the feeder with feed intake) Duration of meals (sec.) Size of meals (grams.) Intensity of feeding (feed intake in grams. per min): feed intake per meal in relation to duration of meal Duration of pauses (sec. or min.) Duration of feed intake per day (min.) Feed intake per day (grams.) Live weight (grams.) Dates of a total of 530 ducks and containing 260000 visits to the feeder were recorded and analysed On the basis of the duration of the frequency of meals per day two distinct groups, birds with large number of short meals (HM), and birds with a small number of big meals (LM), were identified. Comparisons were made between the two meal-type groups for all traits and the circadian rhythms of feed intake. HM ducks were characterised by short duration and small size of meals, and short pauses between meals. There was only a small difference between the meal-types for the total duration of feeding and feeding intensity. HM birds were lighter than LM birds. With increasing age, number of meals per day and duration of feeding per day decreased while daily feed consumption increased. Duration and size of meals, and intensity of feeding increased with age. Changes in feeding activities were most important between 3 and 4 weeks of age. An effect of sex was only noted for the number of meals at seven weeks of age. Differences in the occurrence of pauses were found in response to the experiment, meal-type and age. With regard to the presentation and analysis of pauses the usual procedures using log survivorship functions were discussed. In the present study, however, the differences in the distribution of pauses have been demonstrated using the relative frequency for the pauses of long duration and the cumulative frequency for the pauses of shorter duration. With regard to the high variation of the duration of pauses among individuals and with age the calculation of a single meal criterion, which separates pauses within and between meals, for all individuals and over all ages was not considered useful. On the basis of the distribution of pauses of the different meal-types it seems that the meal criterion is less than one minute in the HM types, and over 35 minutes in the LM types. The circadian rhythm of feed intake was similar in both meal-type groups and shows a biphasic shape with maxima at the beginning and the end of the light period. There was also feed intake during the dark period, the consumption, however, was lower than in the light period. The power spectra of the feed intake showed main components in the 24; 12; 6 and 4.8 hours rhythms and, in addition, various different rhythms in the area of 2-4 hours. The rhythm pattern was more pronounced in the HM types as compared to the LM types. The power of the 24 hours rhythms decreased with age, while a 6 hours rhythm developed at the end of the test period. In general it can be said, that there are distinct types of temporal structures in feeding behaviour in ducks. Age-depending changes appear mainly in the early fattening phase up to 5 weeks of age. There is no general meal criterion in ducks which may be applied to all individuals and at all ages. Feed intake underlies rhythmic processes which are modified with age.