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

cowbells

[trompete]

I guess that will be the end of the cowbells.
Cowbells are pretty cool though. I spent some time in the Austrian Alps and met some farmers who could tell me which cow was nearby by the pitch of the bell.
I suppose the next thing to come along will be RFID tags for cows.

inventory control

[Naikrovek]

inventory control is something to me that makes a lot of sense. people foamed at the mouth when RFID tags were to be put in clothes, but few realized that they're useless once they leave the store that owns the clothes. its just inventory control, to keep people from stealing said clothes.

farmers are doing it for more than just inventory control though, they're using it to easily determine which genetic lines produce the best milk producers, the best meat, etc. this is a good thing, it *should* lower the prices of milk and beef a bit, and it should improve the overall quality the steak on your table.

i'm all for this. technology for tracking isn't *all* bad.

YRO for animals?

[frankjr]

I think these animals have a little more to be worried about than having their retinas scanned. I think they're worried about being eaten.

Re:Brilliant plan there....

[NanoGator]

"Hmmmm. Yeah, that would be a great idea except for the fact that COWS CAN'T READ!"

Bullshit. Hillary Rosen responded to one of my messages once.

Cow Rights Online

[patch-rustem]

IANAC (I am not a cow), but I would much prefer to have a laser shone in my eye than have tag slough off my ear.
I'd also rather not be eaten.

(How about a Your Cow Online Section? )