Application of radio frequency identification technology in large-scale dairy farms

Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is a non-contact automatic identification technology. Its basic principle is to use the transmission characteristics of radio frequency signals and spatial coupling (electric coupling or electromagnetic coupling) to realize automatic identification of objects. The radio frequency identification system generally consists of two parts, namely the electronic tag (transponder Tag) and the reader (reading head Reader). In the practical application of RFID, the electronic tag is attached to the surface of the identified object or embedded in it. When the identified object with the electronic tag passes through the readable range of the reader, the reader automatically sends the electronic The agreed identification information of the tag is taken out, so as to realize the function of automatically identifying objects or automatically collecting object identification information.

1 Application of RFID in modern dairy farms

In dairy farms with large breeding scale, high feeding level, and high individual production capacity, it is difficult to distinguish between conventional manual marking and naked eye identification of dairy cows, low resolution efficiency, high error rate, and it is difficult to accurately and comprehensively grasp The production level and individual status of dairy cows can no longer meet the requirements of modern dairy farm management. As a new non-contact rapid automatic identification technology, RFID is being more and more widely used in modern and large-scale breeding industries. This technology can be applied in many aspects of dairy cattle production, including automatic ration of cattle rations, statistical analysis of milk production, individual identification of dairy cows, disease monitoring and control, product quality control and animal traceability, etc.

1.1 Individual accurate electronic Files

Different from traditional cow cards and paper files, the electronic identification designed for cows Stores various basic information of cows, and has a 16-digit number compiled in strict accordance with the coding standards of the International Organization for Standardization (1SO). The electronic identification is fixed on the animal body, and the electronic identification is one-time use, unified number, and unique number. From then on, the electronic identification will accompany the animal for a lifetime, so as to be unique in the world and realize 100% of one animal one standard. Electronic identification is usually designed and packaged in various forms such as injection implant type, ear hanging type, rumen type and ankle ring type. In practical applications, various dynamic data can also be stored correspondingly through the supporting software management program, and updated in real time to form a dynamic database of dairy cows.

1.2 Real-time monitoring and data collection

The application of radio frequency technology can monitor the status of dairy cows in real time, and collect various data information recorded by electronic identification in a timely and accurate manner. The radio frequency system can dynamically identify and record data such as the weight, feed intake, and exercise volume of the cattle, and combine with other sensors of each breeding module to transmit and record the body condition of the cattle, the ambient temperature and humidity of the cattle farm, and dynamically monitor the cattle status on the computer terminal. Monitoring, once the data collected by the system exceeds the health warning limit set in the computer, the management system can automatically identify it and provide timely feedback for the manager to judge the physiological state of the cattle, adjust the feed structure and supply quantity, and formulate a treatment plan. reference data.

1.3 Equipped with modules for auxiliary feeding management

The radio frequency system can be used as an information platform to carry many auxiliary feeding modules. The pedometer on the electronic sign records the amount of exercise of the cow, and combines the accumulated data and standard parameters in the database to judge the health status and estrus identification of the cow; it is equipped with a precision feeding module to treat cows in different growth stages and with different milk production on the day , comprehensive training in the computer system calculates the best concentrate supply, feeds back to the precision feeding system for precise feeding, so as to achieve the purpose of different feeding for different individual cows; equipped with a milk analysis and detection module, it can monitor the quality of each dairy cow Milk production, milk production efficiency, milk composition and other data are monitored, analyzed, recorded and compared to timely grasp the health status of the cows’ udders and whether the feed formula is scientific and perfect; it is equipped with a milking station monitoring module that can record each shift entering the milking parlor , the milking time of each cow, the milking status, and the status of the equipment, the manager can find out the standardization and proficiency of the milking workers in the milking process, and the milking staff can also find out during the milking process Questions are fed back to managers using a pre-set digital language input system.

1.4 Track and trace the source of disease prevention and control

Using the uniqueness of RFID, managers can closely track and monitor the flow of each cow in the dairy farm. Once an infectious disease is found, the source can be quickly found and the corresponding individuals and contact groups can be isolated in time to reduce the possibility of disease expansion. At the same time, using the network platform of the system, it can provide timely, accurate and detailed reference materials for government functional departments and relevant scientific research departments at the first time. At the same time, the system can also be used as a tracking and identification basis for government policy subsidies, dairy cow insurance business and other work.

2 Problems exposed by RFID in dairy farm applications

2.1 The cost of electronic cow identification remains high

Price is an important factor affecting the large-scale application of RFID. The price of RFID, especially the price of its electronic tags, determines whether RFID can be widely used in large-scale dairy farms.

2.1.1 RFID supporting equipment is expensive

Its advancement and complexity determine that the installation and configuration must be carried out by professionals, which has become the first obstacle to its popularization.

2.1.2 Higher label price

It is difficult to have RFID tags for every cow, and large-scale application cannot be realized. The RFID industry generally has a "5-cent tag" theory. It is believed that before the unit price of RFID tags drops to 5 cents, it is impossible to gain popularity in many fields, especially the field of daily consumer goods. "5-cent tags" are RFID energy one of the key factors for success. .

2.2 The environmental requirements of the identification system are relatively strict

At present, some foreign countries and regions with developed animal husbandry, such as the European Union, North America, and Australia, have done a lot of research in this area. The mid-low frequency band is applied to the cow identification system, and the reading distance is about 1 m. However, such a reading distance is far from enough for large-scale random activities of cows, and a longer distance is needed to achieve the purpose of real-time and accurate monitoring of cows; in addition, the conflict problem in multi-target recognition is also an urgent need to be solved question. Active exploration has also been carried out in real-time monitoring of dairy farms in China. Using radio frequency technology, a relatively complete dairy cow automatic identification system has been established, but the reading distance has not yet reached the needs of large-scale dairy farms. Therefore, long-distance reading is very necessary to realize the traceability and controllability management of dairy cows.

2.3 The radio frequency system has higher requirements on the operator

The RFID system uses the computer as the platform to play a role, which requires the user to be able to skillfully complete the computer operation, the application and development of the management software, and the installation of the link between the electronic chip and the management system. However, in my country's dairy farming management industry, the basic quality of employees is relatively low, and the modernization of large-scale dairy farms is not high, so the user's operating level has also become an important factor that restricts the system from functioning.

3 Conclusion

my country is a large producer and consumer of livestock products, but it is not a strong animal husbandry country. The application of radio frequency technology in the dairy industry is still at the stage of experimentation. Based on this technology, livestock automatic precision feeding technology, disease diagnosis and control system And management systems such as performance measurement systems have not been widely used in animal husbandry production. After China's accession to the WTO, it faces the problem of being in line with international conventions and common practices, and the application of electronic identification technology in animal husbandry is also among them. The development of digital precision breeding based on RFID technology is not only the need to reflect and realize the standardization, standardization and modernization of my country's animal husbandry, but also the inevitable requirement to shorten the gap with other countries.