V.RDA.0002-Project summary: V.RDA.0002 - Assessing the feasibility of an implantable ID for cattle

Summary

Integrity Systems Company (ISC) has been working to improve tracking and tracing of Australian cattle. This project revealed a significant cost is borne by the supply chain in replacing lost tags (around$10m per year), with a high value at risk through potentially compromised biosecurity (avoided cost of around $2b to industry). A number of alternatives to individual animal identification were reviewed in this project, including implantable RFIDs. The purpose of this project is to validate the assumptions related to the technical and adoption challenges for an implantable ID in cattle, as well as testing improvements of the implantable ID concept in line with test results.

Objectives

1. How can we accelerate robust testing of NLIS compliant devices in a standard and repeatable way?
2. How can we manufacture/access this new device reliably at a desirable price point?
3. How can we influence behaviours that lead to greater industry adoption of the benefits of this new device?
4. What business model innovations can we wrap around the device in order to improve its desirability and viability?

Key findings

The project concluded there is a high level of confidence that an implantable ID would reduce tag loss, increase data quality and reduce friction in the traceability system, if broadly adopted. The work outlines several adoption models available to ISC and the industry to determine the level of adoption within the industry.

Benefits to industry

In terms of industry benefit, Australian beef is a major part of the Australian economy. Australia’s reputation for producing clean and safe red meat products relies on lifetime traceability of its cattle. The 2018-19 traceability of 96.04% falls short of the 97% target. These lifetime traceability losses represent biosecurity and market assurance risks. Lifetime traceability losses are a result of tag problems (losses, non-reconciled breeder tags and tag damage) and not scanning between PICs. Improvements in the lifetime retention and traceability of devices have the potential to deliver approximately $10m in direct costs to the industry per year and project against over $2b in increased biosecurity risks.

MLA action

It is recommended that injectables are further explored as an alternative to NLIS ear tags. Early adopters of will be those producers who are experiencing high levels of tag loss, are seeking to improve farm management practices, or are affected by stock theft. This segment will adopt the injectable solution because they are not currently satisfied by the NLIS ear tag solution, due to fundamental limitations of the technology option.

An alternative solution will produce measurable improvement in tag retention in the longer term and is a critical requirement in maintaining a world class livestock integrity system. There is however likely to be significant push back from other supply chain participants, most notably processors. Key activities following this project will be targeted at addressing these stakeholders’ concerns and facilitating pathways to adoption that work for everyone in the supply chain.

Future research

Field trials for implantable devices will be pursued.