N.C. State researchers: RFID tags could save farmers cash

Five electrical engineers say they’ve found a way to make North Carolina dairy farmers more profitable – and it starts with a small RFID tag on a cow’s ear. The researchers, part of an undergraduate design class in electrical and computer engineering at N.C. State University, are using the RFID tags to tackle a tricky problem: How to improve an already cash-strapped industry with technology. Researcher Anthony Laws admits the trackers will cost farmers cash up front. The entire system would cost about $3,000 to implement, and he knows it’s cash not all farmers are willing to spend.