August 31, 2006
Michigan Tags Cattle With RFID
With cattle rustlers able to make as much as $20,000 in one hit, and RFID tags helping cattle ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma recently recover around 5,200 head of cattle, it's not suprising that the State of Michigan has passed a cattle tagging law. Under the new law, which took effect in March 2006, the new electronic ear tags will be the only officially-recognized identification. The US$1 tags will not only help keep track of cattle, but help in monitor diseases by allowing easier segregation of infected animals. Texan and Oklahoman ranchers have recovered millions of dollars worth of cattle because of RFID tags.
While only a tiny percentage of cattle are tagged, interest in tagging livestock in general is growing for a variety of reasons, including preventing the Mad Cow disease scares of a few years ago, as well as other ailments.As such, a number of companies such as TekVet, and ScoringAg are starting to offer livestock-tracking solutions. Warrnambool Livestock Exchange in Australia even uses an RFID system in their trading yard.
So hungry rustlers thwarted in Texas might just want to move to Michigan before all the cattle there are tagged. Look for those head with just the old orange metal tags, instead of the new ear tags.
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