Progress Report - January 1999
Herd enrollments have progressed well during the past few
months and account for 30,000 animals (10,000 cows and 20,000
young stock) in 23 herds. New York and Wisconsin represent most
of the herd enrollments. Pennsylvania enrollments are being initiated
and California will be initiated later in the project.
As we develop the model, we continue to build the system based
on three components of a national identification system; those
being numbering systems for both animals and
premises, identification methods and the information
system.
Numbering Systems
 Premises
Numbers
The premises numbers provided by the state departments of
agriculture are used in F.A.I.R. to provide the tracking system
of animal movement. These numbers, in addition to being on the
animal's record on the data base, are printed on identification
tags. The premises number is printed on the male side of the
electronic tag as well as the male visible tag. On the adjacent
tags, the premises number is illustrated as NY3672.
 
American ID Numbering System
For animals, the American ID number is being used. This numbering
system, initiated by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, has
been supported by the United States Animal Health Association
(USAHA). The resolution from the past USAHA meeting is enclosed.
Also, the participants from the LCI National Farm Animal Identification
symposium sponsored by the Livestock Conservation Institute (LCI)
agreed to establish American ID as the national numbering system
in their plan for national programs. An article and the action
summary of LCI's National Identification Symposium are enclosed.
Identification Methods
The tagging of calves with the National F.A.I.R. tags is well
underway. Herds participating in the option for testing radio
frequency ID (RFID) or Electronic ID (EID) are using a combination
of one or two visible F.A.I.R. tags. The EID Tag is placed in
the left ear.
 A packet with five "nests"
contains five visible ID Tags and the EID tags. The perforation
of the packet allows one to separate a nest with the tags needed
to tag one calf. An example of a visible/EID combination is available
for review upon request.
More details on the tagging system that explains the recommended
attachment site for the EID and visible tags is also enclosed
with this mailing.
 Customized
F.A.I.R. Tags
The incorporation of "official"  visible
tags with herd management needs remains a priority of the identification
plan. Writing information on visible tags is a common practice
by many producers. To provide such information on the tags for
their life, a customized laser printed tag has been developed.
Herd owners participating in this option ID new born calves with
either the Mini-Round or EID Tag. The record submitted for identification
of the calf initiates the order for the Customized Tag. An electronic
file, insuring accuracy of the American ID number, is sent to
Allflex providing a completely controlled and secure process.
Information System
Database
A relational database model is being developed to meet the
requirements of the system, both short and long-term. This model
is being tested and converted into a full fledged physical database
that will capture premises identification, animal identification
and animal movement. With this data design, we can track a participating
animal from the moment it was tagged to the moment it was slaughtered.
All participating animals that come into contact with one or
more animals within a specified time period can readily be determined.
This procedure reflects the possible response mechanism to find
potentially infected animals that came into contact with an animal
detected positive for a contagious disease.
An exhaustive cross reference facility for identification
numbers has been established. This includes both visual and Radio
Frequency. Premises identification and history of animals tracked
will be available. Allowances have been made to record a sales
transaction, a veterinarian's treatment of animals and the management
history of a premises.
The data will be update-able real time, using internal applications
or internet applications. The data will also be retrievable realtime
on www.nationalfair.com.
Internet
Client Server
Data exchange, specifically real time update, is being developed
using a working client server JAVA methodology that allows field
representatives, markets, and slaughterhouses to update the database
over the internet. As information is gathered, a process is executed
that automatically sends the data to the central database where
it is then used to update the information on the central database.
Update statistics are automatically sent to concerned parties
via e-mail. This becomes key as the vehicle for data exchange
between all entities and the database hub.
Security
Extra security is being incorporated into the client server
java design in addition to the standard internet firewall. User
id and password are required for web access to the database.
Support of tiered or progressive security is available for various
data types. It is important to note that National FAIR is built
on a three-tiered system: client, web server, and database server.
In order for the client application to get to the web server,
it must pass through a firewall, then it must gain approval with
the built-in java security that cannot be seen from outside the
web server. Access to the database server is managed by the web
server which again is filtered by the firewall. Direct database
access is not allowed from a client; it requires a web server
proxy program.
 Stationary
Readers - Markets
Empire Livestock Market, Dryden, New York
The RFID reader is installed in the partition that divides
the scale. The RFID code of the animal will be read when the
animal is weighed. The RFID code number is transmitted from the
RFID module at the reader to a file residing on the PC in the
market's office. All herds enrolled in the F.A.I.R. project (in
the Dryden area) have records on all cull cows marketed at Dyrden
output to a separate file. Each sale day the LAN system located
at the Empire office in Syracuse retrieves the file of RFID code
numbers as well as the records of animals from F.A.I.R. herds.
Both files are transmitted to the F.A.I.R. data base.
The receipt of all cow records sold through the market from
the F.A.I.R. herds provides a check on the reading of RFID transponders.
That is, if a cow's RFID code is not read, the cow's record of
sale will still be submitted to the F.A.I.R. system.
On December 22, 1998, 54 head purchased by Taylor Packing
were tagged at the auction. One pen of 22 cows was run through
the scale to test the RFID reader. 100% of the cows were identified
by their electronic code.
Stationary Readers - Processing Plants
Taylor Packing, PA
The RFID Reader was installed at the plant on October 26.
The RFID reader captures the RFID codes shortly after the
animal is hung on shackles. When Taylor's computer receives the
RFID code it queries for the corresponding digital counter number
that is sequenced at the location of the RFID reader.
The sequence number of the RFID system and that of Taylor's
existing system allows for the animal's record to be found from
within their database. The back tag numbers are keyed into Taylor's
current database system and provides a check for the integrity
of the data. Consideration will be given to having the back tag
from the market provided in the cross reference file.
The records of the F.A.I.R. animals will be sent to the F.A.I.R.
database by Taylor using ftp. The record will include date, RFID#,
Tag #, type of animal, weight, and grade.
The installation of RFID readers at the other participating
processing plants is under development.
JAVA Commport Listening Software
A java application was written to install at those installations
that need a file to be created as animals pass by the Allflex
reader. This file is then sent by that installation to the National
FAIR database for update.
www.nationalfair.com
A web site has been established on a dedicated PC to process
web screens and to act as a server for client server internet
applications. Www.nationalfair.com has been registered as the
domain name. In the future, a prototype demonstration with fabricated
data to illustrate animal movement and an animal's contact with
other animals will be developed and made available. The site
is currently used to provide updates on the status of the project. |