Cows Identified by Retinal Imaging

wackoman2112 writes "According to this article, ranchers on western cattle ranches are keeping track of their cattle with the "OptiReader," a small handheld which takes retinal scans. They scan a cow's eye and record information in the database about the animal's color, weight, and genetic linage. Hmmm... This could be justification for a YRO for animals."

Comments

Computer cowboy

[Chagatai]

I work for one of the largest beef and pork producers in America. We have a large number of feedlots and facilities (slaughterhouses) across the states. I can confirm that as of right now all we use for identification is the standard issue ear tags. We have been exploring the use of RFID for animals, but until the prices drop to the point where ear tags and RFID cost the same it doesn't make sense for us to alter our business plan and invest in a whole new set of materials, equipment, and training costs.

While the retinal scanning does sound promising, that also only helps while the animal is alive. Plus, it requires a certain degree of "cooperation" with the cows. The tags are also more efficient for identifying members of a pen at a distance by tag color alone. Once they come into our facilites, too, retinal scanning does us no good as they get knocked and killed pretty quick. Unless you wanted to track the offal by retinal scans, that's about all it would be good for. You'd be surprised at the way in which our livestock is inventoried and moved around these plants; it is quite scientific, humane, and sterile.