When monitoring animals, it is important to ensure that you are gathering the correct information and that it relates to the correct animal.
There are several technologies available to support livestock managers or those caring for animals. GPS tracking can be used to monitor the location of animals, NFC tags can be used to gain access to associated information and sensors can be used to gather information about movement and certain biometric data.
Understanding the differences between these technologies will help you choose the best technology for your needs.
Determine What You Want To Monitor
Start by asking yourself what you want to monitor:
- Do you want to know the location of your animal?
- Do you want to be able to easily identify individual animals?
- Do you want to gain access to associated information?
- Do you want to be able to monitor your animals using movement or certain data?
This will help you determine what technologies to use. It will also help you decide if they are cost effective, compatible, easy to use and maintain.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking can give you information about your animals location. Before deciding on your device, look at the specifications to see what coverage, power and environmental requirements there are. Also look at how you can access the location information.
Not all products will have the same capabilities. GPS tracking will simply give you location information and will not give you a full history of what your animal has been doing, or their health and management history.
NFC
Near Field Communication (NFC) allows information to be shared between compatible devices. NFC tags can be used to give access to associated information for your animal using a compatible reader.
The main thing to consider with this is that each tag will need to relate to the correct animal and the information will need to be accurate.
NFC will not give you continuous location tracking.
Sensors
Depending on the device, sensors can give you information about animal movement and certain biometric data.
Before choosing your sensor, make sure you know what information it will gather and how often. Also look at how you will be able to access and view the data.
Remember that this will give you data and not conclusions. While the animal may have changed movement patterns it is worth looking into. However, this will not tell you why it has changed or if they have a health issue. The monitoring technology will not replace a vet.
Compatibility
While having multiple technologies may be useful to give you identification, location and sensor data, there are some things to consider:
- Can you link the information to the correct animal?
- Are the devices compatible?
- How will you update the information and ensure it is accurate?
- Who will be responsible for looking at the information?
Having multiple devices in your system does not mean that it will be more reliable. Ensure that the data is of a high quality, easy to use and that roles are clear.
An example of a company within this area can be found here: Animal Watch 365
Consider The Full Process
Depending on the product you may have ongoing costs. Look at the cost of connecting, subscriptions, any additional items, spare parts, maintenance and training.
Also consider who will be using the system. If the information is not easy to access or understand then it may not fit into your process.
Ensure that you have processes in place to record information. This includes identification, updating, correcting any errors, duplicates and controlling access.
Checklist
- What are you trying to monitor?
- Ensure the technology will give you the correct information.
- Look at the specifications and any limitations.
- Ensure it is compatible, low running costs and easy to maintain.
- Ensure someone is responsible for recording information.
- Ensure the information will help you achieve your aim.
** Conclusion**
Each technology has different uses. GPS tracking, NFC tags and sensors will all depend on the devices you are using, environment, quality of associated information and the process of those using it.
The aim is not to gather as much data as possible but to ensure that you are gathering relevant information. This information needs to be recorded accurately and interpreted responsibly so that it can help with managing and caring for your animals.
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