Small tag finds favour

01-05-2010 | Richard Rennie

Ear tags that are lighter, smaller and cheaper than conventional electronic tags are already starting to make inroads into the cattle market - despite being originally designed for sheep.

The Tagtek-branded tags originated in the United Kingdom, and initial launch here has been a low-key, word-of-mouth affair, say directors David Williams and Feton Kibby.

The key feature of the tags is their size, yet they are compatible with the RFID transmission technology approved by NAIT. Williams could not disclose details of the technology that delivers the transmission and data storage in a tag 30% smaller than conventional tags. He says that having been designed for sheep they can be used on newborn lambs without causing stress or falling out. Sheep farmers in the UK and throughout Europe will all be required to have electronic ID by later this year, if they haven't already.

Weighing 3g, the one-piece folding tag has unexpectedly found favour here, not so much with sheep farmers but with cattle farmers seeking a simple, light tag that is easily fitted.

"In fact we have sold more for cattle than we have for sheep so far, and are in the process of seeking NAIT approval for them," Williams says. He is confident, given the technology and track record of the tags in the UK, this will not be a problem here. The tags can be read by any ISO-approved FDX-type reader. Distribution in New Zealand has been aided by the founders of the animal handling company Racewell taking Tagtek tags under their umbrella.

"Robin and Carol Fagan were keen to see a better, more affordable technology come in and wanted to see us get a good foot in the market," Williams says. The tags retail for around half the price of conventional RFID tags. The company is working on other developments aimed at cattle-tagging technology and due for release soon. Trials across various aged cattle on various NZ properties have shown a 100% retention rate. Williams expects that with or without NAIT requiring sheep to be tagged in the future, tag sales to sheep farmers will also increase.

"We are seeing more large-chain United Kingdom supermarkets requiring complete traceability, and we are working with some big farm players here with sheep-tagging ID schemes."

Outside of Britain, NZ is the only other country the tags are being sold in and Tagtek has been working closely with established livestock software companies in NZ.

For more information www.tagtek.co.nz

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