Common Questions & Answers

1. What is EID? . . . RFID?

EID stands for Electronic Identification Device. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification.

2. What type of chips/tags can be used with the CattleTrax® Program?

ISO-compliant, full or half-duplex, chips or tags will work with CattleTrax®. However, CattleTrax® will only work with read-only transponders.

3. How much information is held on the chip/tag?

The EID device contains a 16-21 digit number which is unique worldwide.

4. How close do I have to be with the handheld unit to read the chip/tag?

Within 12 inches.

5. Will these devices work outdoors and in any weather conditions?

Yes.

6. What is the expected life span of the chips/tags themselves?

Because the chips/tags do not have their own power source, they can be expected to last well beyond the lifespan of any animal, provided that they are not broken upon installation.

7. Can the chips/tags be reused?

Physically, yes, but the CattleTrax® system does NOT allow reuse of EIDs.

8. What is the difference between the external and internal chips/tags?

Internal chips are small glass-capsules which contain the EID transponder. They are approximately the size of a grain of rice. External tags are usually plastic buttons which have EID transponders embedded in them, and vary in diameter and thickness.

9. If I use these chips/tags will I still need to have ear tags in my cattle?

You should, because the CattleTrax® system is designed to work with BOTH EID and conventional ear tags. The system will be most beneficial if both types of identification are used.

10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the internal implants?

The advantage of the internal implant is that it is not visible externally -- potential thieves do not know the EID is there. The disadvantage is that the producer does not know exactly where the EID is, or if it is there at all, either.

11. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the external chips/tags?

The advantage of the external tag is that the producer knows if the tag is still in place, or if it has been removed. The disadvantage is that the tag can be removed much more easily.

12. How do I read the information of the chip/tag after it is implanted?

The chip/tag can be read using the CattleTrax® handheld unit.

13. Does the government approve of implanting chips?

Yes.

14. Where on the animal is it recommended that you implant the chip?

Either in the base of the ear behind the scudaform cartilage or under the dewclaw on a back leg.

15. Will the implant stay where I put it?

Yes, it should.

16. Can an external tag be taken off of one animal and put on to another with or with out fraudulent intent?

Yes, it is possible to do this.

17. How do I access my information once it is in the CattleTrax® database?

Through the CattleTrax® website via a secure username and password.

18. Will this system help eliminate paperwork or will I still need to keep hard copy records?

It is always a good idea to keep a hard copy record, but this doesn't mean that HANDWRITTEN records are necessary -- the hard copy could be as simple as printing the data out of the CattleTrax® database.

19. What keeps others from viewing my information in the database?

Your information is only accessible to you through the use of a secure username and password.

20. If I need something specific to my operation, like a report, can the system be customized?

Absolutely.

21. What happens to the information if I sell the animal?

The seller has the opportunity to transfer access to the information to the new owner. In order to do this, the seller must notify AgInfoLink / CattleTrax® through the standard Buyer Information Release Form. The information can then be transferred BY THE SELLER via a web page.

22. What type of customer service accompanies the database service?

Online customer service is available via email.

23. Are there a minimum or maximum number of animals a user is allowed on the system?

No -- the system can store an unlimited number of records, but the CattleTrax® system utilizes a per-head fee for record storage.

24. What type of security is offered for my information on the CattleTrax® database?

Information stored in the CattleTrax® database is protected by using secure usernames and passwords to access data, by placing the database behind an advanced firewall, and by using nightly backups and storing the backups offsite.

25. Is there some type of safety net in place if my information is lost?

Yes…see the answer to #24.

26. What type of guarantee, if any, accompanies this service?

AgInfoLink / CattleTrax® shall restore any data lost from the database, but we cannot guarantee any data that has been lost prior to uploading to the database (i.e. from the handheld).

27. Can I use my PC and download the information to my PC and analyze the data on my PC with MS Access or MS Excel?

Yes.

28. Can I review the information collected after I sell the animal (i.e. carcass data)?

Only if prior arrangements were made between you and the new owner.

29. How do I get carcass data back, and is there an extra charge?

This is a negotiated process handled on an individual/group basis at this time.

30. What is the most outstanding facet of your program?

The web enabled centralized database, and the pen-based handheld unit.

31. What are the primary responsibilities of a State Association using this program?

Provide information to its members, assist in marketing and feeding phase, assist in data collection, and assist in administration and billing, and more as necessary.

32. How would your program benefit a State Association?

It can provide various levels of information to be utilized in making management decisions.

33. What new programs can State Associations offer by using your program?

Information return, branded beef products, source-verified auctions, and more. The possibilities are virtually limitless.

34. How prevalent is the use of EID in feedlots in the Midwest?

Use is limited at this time, but additional implementation is occurring rapidly.

35. How many cattle are currently in your database, feeders, stockers, cow-calves, and carcass data?

NOT AVAILABLE -- CLASSIFIED.

36. How much data on a particular animal can be stored on your system?

An unlimited amount.

37. Can different types of data be stored on different groups of cattle?

Certainly.

38. Can a new owner backtrack the cattle?

Only if appropriate measures have been taken by agreement between all prior buyers and sellers.

39. What database platform do you use, (i.e. Informix, Oracle, Sybase, etc)?

The CattleTrax® system uses the Sybase Enterprise level platform.

40. Can you put the data into reports for easy viewing?

Yes.

41. If I wanted to compare my data to someone else's, how could I do it using your system?

There are reports available to users of the CattleTrax® system which perform this sort of comparative analysis.

42. What is the difference between Full Duplex chips/tags and Half Duplex?

Full duplex chips/tags simply reflect the signal sent by the reader, while half duplex chips/tags actually capture the power of the signal and use it to send a signal back to the reader.