RFID for Sheep and Goats

There are many reasons to identify sheep and goats, including record keeping, proof of ownership, registration and traceability. There are numerous options to do this: ear tags (of many kinds), paint brands or marks, ear notches, neck chains and collars, and tattoos. RFID is becoming an increasingly popular method. RFID stands for radio frequency identification. It involves the use of radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object — or animal. The technology has been around for more than 50 years. Its roots trace to World War II when radio waves were used to identify friendly aircraft.