A review of passive radio frequency identification systems for animal monitoring in livestock facilities

Authors: Brown-Brandl, Tami; ADRION, FELIX - University Of Hohenheim; MASELYNE, J - Institute For Agricultural And Fisheries Research (ILVO); KAPUN, A - University Of Hohenheim; HESSEL, E - Thunen Institute Of Climate-Smart Agriculture; SAEYS, W - Leuven University; VAN NUFFEL, A - Institute For Agricultural And Fisheries Research (ILVO); GALLMANN, E - University Of Hohenheim

Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2019
Publication Date: 9/1/2019
Citation: Brown-Brandl, T.M., Adrion, F., Maselyne, J., Kapun, A., Hessel, E.F., Saeys, W., Van Nuffel, A., Gallmann, E. 2019. A review of passive radio frequency identification systems for animal monitoring in livestock facilities. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 35(4):579-591. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.12928.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.12928

Interpretive Summary: Animal facilities are increasing in size, while the number of skilled workers is decreasing. Thus, making it difficult for the farm laborers to ensure the health and well-being of all animals under their care. Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems are a non-contact system which can identify individual tags within the range of an antenna. These systems have been successfully used in animal facilities as a method of identifying individuals; future applications include monitoring behavior for automated illness detection. There are three main types of passive RFID technology, each operate within a different frequency range (Low, High, and Ultrahigh frequencies). Each frequency range has its own set of challenges. The objective of this manuscript was to compare and evaluate the application of these three different RFID Systems with grow-finish swine facilities. Four components were evaluated: hardware characteristics, system design, data processing and data usage. Differences with the tags, antennas, and system function are discussed. Each of the systems have significant differences in tag read ranges, and have varying influences on the performance of the systems. Each of the systems have positive and negative aspects associated with them. All systems have been successfully applied in pig facilities.

Technical Abstract: Animal facilities are increasing in size, while the availability of skilled workers is decreasing, thus, making it difficult for the farm laborers to ensure the health and well-being of all animals under their care. Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems have been successfully used in animal facilities and research has identified potential appli­cations in behavior monitoring for automated illness detection. While RFID signals range in frequency from 9 kHz to 5.8 GHz, the three most common frequencies are Low Frequency (LF, 125 kHz or 134.2 kHz), High Frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz), and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF, 865-868 MHz or 902-928 MHz). The objective of this article is to compare and evaluate the application of these three different RFID systems within large research facilities for livestock and poultry in terms of hardware characteristics, system design, and data processing and usage. Differences in tag construction, avail­ability and cost are evident, but also basic differences in reader and antenna function, such as physics of communication, speed of detection, and anti-collision procedures exist. The systems have significant differences in reading ranges and are known to have varying influence of materials, especially water and metal, on the performance of the systems. However, the data streams, as well as methods of data processing and the creation of events (e.g., visits to a feeder), are similar for all systems. The characteristics mentioned do not necessarily identify an ideal RFID technology but reveal positive and negative aspects of each system. The three different RFID systems have been successfully applied in livestock and poultry facilities. Current research is focused on the utilization of the RFID data in prediction and decision models for illness, animal welfare, and management actions.