FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2006

Canada Agriculture Agency Tests EID Readers for Auction Markets
Allflex Panel Readers Rate High

A recent study by a Canada agriculture agency found that Allflex’s Two Lane Multi-Panel RFID Reader achieved an average of 98.47 percent readability for both HDX and FDX electronic identification tags in cattle moving through simulated auction market lanes. The next highest reader achieved an average of only 86.88 percent readability.

Auction markets throughout North America are a common clearinghouse for commingling cattle and changes in ownership. It is critical for Canada livestock producers who must comply with the mandatory livestock identification program.

Commissioned by the Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development agency, the study was conducted at the Lacombe Research Centre in Alberta.  According to John Basarab, Ph.D. research scientist with Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development and the study’s lead author, the study was designed to test the effectiveness of commercial EID readers in real-world auction market conditions such as Canada’s because of the large number of animals moving through the markets on a daily basis.

“If Canada is moving toward full traceability, being able to track changes in ownership is important,” Basarab said. “In our studies, we want to see all technologies succeed, and the Allflex Multi-Panel has performed very well.”

Basarab also commented that the multi-panel systems tested in the study restrict animal flow to a maximum read rate of 34 inches.

“While this is not the greatest range we hope to obtain in the future, it is a very good start to bringing this type of technology to Alberta and the Canadian beef industry,” he said.  

Allflex participated in the study at Basarab’s invitation and provided the equipment for the project. According to Sam White, Allflex’s EID Technical Services Manager, the study validates Allflex’s own internal trials.

“The multi-lane proves we can take cattle from the truck and read them at a normal flow and at a high-read rate of accuracy,” White said. “Our number one goal is to build confidence in RFID technology and demonstrate that it will work effectively in real situations.”

Contact John Basarab, Ph.D. for a copy of the study at john.basarab@gov.ab.ca. For more information about Allflex Canada call (800) 989-8247 or visit www.allflexcanada.com.

#  #  # 

About Allflex:
Dedicated to animal identification, Allflex is the world leader in design technology, manufacture and delivery of animal identification for traceability systems across all production animal species and companion animals. Allflex has manufacturing and technology subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and China. Allflex products are distributed in 80 countries worldwide. Allflex has brought cutting-edge, practical applications of visual, electronic and radio frequency in animal identification technology across the world for nearly five decades, contributing to a safer global food supply.  Visit www.allflexusa.com for more information.