Tracking animals in real time

7. Tracking animals in real time by D. Larraine Andrews A new real time animal tracking system is attracting interest from livestock owners, community pastures and research groups, says Bradley Smith, livestock technology specialist with Alberta Agriculture. The project uses active radio frequency identification, or RFID tags, to transmit a signal to stationary receiving towers installed in the Pole Haven community pasture. The unique animal ID and location is then posted on Google maps for access by the animal's owner through a device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop or desktop computer. Smith explains that the system allows a producer to know where their animals are located in real time without the need to spend extra time on horseback or all-terrain vehicles checking the herd. Such physical checks are still important but the tracking system allows almost continuous monitoring and greater peace of mind, Smith says. Pole Haven is located just east of Waterton Lakes National Park in rugged brush-covered country where predators such as bears and wolves are often a serious threat to livestock. If an animal has stopped moving, it can be quickly located to see if it requires medical attention or has been the victim of a predator. Early detection of predator losses increases the likelihood of receiving government compensation, he notes. The system also helps producers locate stragglers during the fall roundup, reducing riding time and potential losses from missed animals. The project will continue in 2013 in the same location. Although the system provided an acceptable accuracy level for the 2012 grazing season, Smith says one of the main objectives in 2013 is to improve that accuracy. He predicts commercial applications could be available as early as 2014. The system is suited to areas such as community pastures where owners can share the technology costs, or to producers with big herds spread over large areas of rugged grazing country typical of the eastern slopes of the Rockies. A mobile receiver is under development for use on a saddle horse or ATV. The receiver will complement the tower system or can be used on its own at a lower cost. Producers seeking more information can contact Smith at bradley.smith@gov.ab.ca or 403-653-5136.

Alberta Beef Industry Conference-February 20-22, 2013

Canadian Beef Breeds Council and its members are participating in the Alberta Beef Industry Conference in Banff, Alberta. CBBC is being represented by Byron Templeton, President. A booth of information materials hosted by Canadian Angus Association, Canadian Charolais Association, Canadian Hereford Association, Canadian Limousin Association, and Canadian Simmental Association is present for the full event.

Beef Value Chain Roundtable Meetings in Calgary

Past President Allan Marshall and Executive Director Doug Fee attended the Beef Value Chain Roundtable Meetings in Calgary on February 13th and 14th. Doug gave the industry and government delegates an update on the status and plans for organizational change to the Council's governing structure and also used the opportunity to express appreciation to CCMDC and ALMA for assistance in the work developing our new organizational plan and the recently approved market development plan.

CBBC participates at NCBA

Canadian Beef Breeds Council was represented by Byron Templeton, President and David Bolduc, Vice President at the recent NCBA Conference in Tampa, Florida "It was a great conference", says Byron, "well attended by producers froma all across the US, Canada and South America. The trade show is very cutting edge, state of the art products for animal health and management. It was good to have a Canadian presence there; we were able to network with many other breeds and genetics suppliers as to what Canada has to offer. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who is interested for next year in Nashville."

BIXS Carcass Data Guide Now Available

February 6, 2013 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the release of an important tool in the interpretation of data flowing from the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS). The BIXS Carcass Data Guide helps BIXS users more fully understand how carcass data is collected and transmitted via BIXS along with specific information on what the data means. The guide explains the use of Computer Vision Systems (CVS) and the camera-derived carcass data linked to an individual animal Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) ID tag. Mark Klassen, Director of Technical Services with the CCA, worked with Canadian processing plants on enhancing their CVS systems to support data exchange with BIXS and developed the guide. The BIXS Carcass Data Guide is a key step in helping users tap the value of the data BIXS provides by helping them interpret the carcass information received, he said. “It’s this understanding that can enhance management decision making and ultimately enhance the profitability of the producer and the quality of beef he or she produces,” Klassen said. Additionally, BIXS participants now have the ability to generate BIXS Carcass Data Reports that provide information on individual animals as well as BIXS Carcass Benchmark Reports, which compare an individual participant’s cattle to all others in the database. The guide explains these reports and how to obtain them in a BIXS account. There’s also information on the Canadian Quality Grade criteria and a description of the specific carcass information measures BIXS can produce on each carcass along with examples. The BIXS Carcass Data Guide is available on the BIXS website home page as a PDF download as well as on the CCA home page and within the BIXS database portal to validated BIXS participants. To download the guide go to www.bixs.cattle.ca and click on the BIXS Carcass Data Guide button. BIXS is presently funded through AAFC’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. For further information, contact: Gina Teel Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-275-8558 x 406 | teelg@cattle.ca www.cattle.ca