In compliance with EU Reg. 21/2004, the individual electronic identification (EID) of sheep is mandatory in EU Countries since the 1st of January 2008. However, the impact of innovation within animal identification systems has not yet been carried out to quantify benefits during common fieldwork in real dairy sheep flocks. In particular, systematic milk production record represents a fundament to monitor real time performance of each single ewe, before a cumulative datum about flock output. The rational management of dairy ewes should rely on technological tools to create sub-groups according to production performance in a quick and reliable way. This trial aimed to investigate efficacy, reliability and efficiency associate to two different identification systems for monitoring individual milk production throughout the lactation in sheep flocks. Qualitative and quantitative indicators for each criterion, were useful for the assessment of activities and output correctness. Experimental activities were carried in two different farms of Sardinia. In both farms, animals were individually identified by means of an endoruminal ceramic bolus (transponder HDX 134.2 kHz, according to ISO Standards 11784â11785) and by conventional plastic ear tag. In both farms, during milking, groups of ewes were monitored (24 animals per round) by 2 trained technicians. In EID ewes, equipment to check individual transponder's code and data recording consisted of a handy reader (Gesimpex Com. S.L., Barcelona, Spain); in ET ewes, individual ET code and milk production were visually inspected and typed on a handy data store equipment (ABB Immediate Business System PLC â Radix). Time needed for accomplishment of activities was taken for the two identification systems with a chronometer. In the two farms, a total of 553 animals were monitored for five times (controls were scheduled monthly) throughout the lactation period. Average time for reading and recording individual code and production for EID vs. ET resulted 6â³/sheep vs. 11â³/sheep. Transponder's code resulted correctly checked and repeatedly associated in 100% of readings. EID system of diary ewes shows to improve production recording and data transfer in comparison with conventional ET system with advantageous technical relationships between fieldwork activities.
Analysis of fieldwork activities during milk production recording in dairy ewes by means of individual ear tag (ET) alone or plus RFID based electronic identification (EID) / Cappai, M. G.; Rubiu, N. G.; Nieddu, G.; Bitti, M. P. L.; Pinna, W.. - In: COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE. - ISSN 0168-1699. - 144:(2018), pp. 324-328. [10.1016/j.compag.2017.11.002]
Analysis of fieldwork activities during milk production recording in dairy ewes by means of individual ear tag (ET) alone or plus RFID based electronic identification (EID)
Cappai, M. G.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Pinna, W.Supervision
2018-01-01
Abstract
In compliance with EU Reg. 21/2004, the individual electronic identification (EID) of sheep is mandatory in EU Countries since the 1st of January 2008. However, the impact of innovation within animal identification systems has not yet been carried out to quantify benefits during common fieldwork in real dairy sheep flocks. In particular, systematic milk production record represents a fundament to monitor real time performance of each single ewe, before a cumulative datum about flock output. The rational management of dairy ewes should rely on technological tools to create sub-groups according to production performance in a quick and reliable way. This trial aimed to investigate efficacy, reliability and efficiency associate to two different identification systems for monitoring individual milk production throughout the lactation in sheep flocks. Qualitative and quantitative indicators for each criterion, were useful for the assessment of activities and output correctness. Experimental activities were carried in two different farms of Sardinia. In both farms, animals were individually identified by means of an endoruminal ceramic bolus (transponder HDX 134.2 kHz, according to ISO Standards 11784â11785) and by conventional plastic ear tag. In both farms, during milking, groups of ewes were monitored (24 animals per round) by 2 trained technicians. In EID ewes, equipment to check individual transponder's code and data recording consisted of a handy reader (Gesimpex Com. S.L., Barcelona, Spain); in ET ewes, individual ET code and milk production were visually inspected and typed on a handy data store equipment (ABB Immediate Business System PLC â Radix). Time needed for accomplishment of activities was taken for the two identification systems with a chronometer. In the two farms, a total of 553 animals were monitored for five times (controls were scheduled monthly) throughout the lactation period. Average time for reading and recording individual code and production for EID vs. ET resulted 6â³/sheep vs. 11â³/sheep. Transponder's code resulted correctly checked and repeatedly associated in 100% of readings. EID system of diary ewes shows to improve production recording and data transfer in comparison with conventional ET system with advantageous technical relationships between fieldwork activities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
