Working with Technology Providers

1. Working with Technology Providers Prepared by: Michael Coe DVM, PHD Manager Technical Services Global Animal Management 816 N. 1400 E. Logan Utah 84321 (435) 752 1627 Office (435) 757 9523 Cell michael.coe@mygamonline.com Western Extension Marketing Committee Western Center for Risk Management Education

2. Overview • Animal identification terms and technology • Can be confusing • Companies providing products and services • Introduction to terms and technology tools • Identification devices / methods and the hardware • Questions to ask technology providers

3. Introduction • National Food Animal Identification Plan • National Food Animal Identification Task Force • National Institute for Animal Agriculture • joint effort of industry and government • National Animal Identification System (NAIS) • template for standardization of identification numbering systems • establishment of standard format specifications • accessed via the internet at www.usaip.info. • Individual identification • additional input costs associated • identification device • labor and equipment needed to read, record, and store the individual identification number • reliable and efficient to use

4. Technology Providers Glossary of Terms • National Animal Identification System • components • New words in animal agriculture • Provide a basic list • Not intended to be a comprehensive • Technology provider’s informational literature • products and services.

5. Terms Related to Data and Databases • Data - Facts or figures from which conclusions can be determined. • Data element – A data segment such as the premise ID or animal birth date. • Database - A collection of data managed and stored in one place. These data bases look like a ledger sheet. • Relational database – A database with a set of tables containing data fitted into predefined categories. • Enterprise database – Very robust relational databases that can manage extremely large amounts of data. • Distributed database system – This consists of several enterprise databases that talk to each other via the internet. • Relational database management system (RDBMS) - A program that lets you create, update, and administer a relational database.

6. Types of Computer and Traceback Technology Terminology • Desktop – Standard home computer that sits on your desk • Laptop or Notebook – A computer that “folds up” (about the size of a standard notebook) to be easily moved from location to location. • Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) – A small handheld (palmtop) computer that will fit into a shirt pocket. • Tablet PC – These are a hybrid cross between a PDA and a notebook computer. • Scale head – The brains of a weighing system that displays the weight received from the load cells.

7. Types of Computer and Traceback Technology Terminology • Server – A very robust computer that can run multiple computer program 24 hours a day. • Internet - A collection of computers all over the world that are networked (talk to each other). • Web-enabled – Means the computer software and data are available using any computer that is connected to the Internet. • Internet Portal – A portal is a complete, browser-based (web-enabled) environment for creating, managing, and administration of information.. • CSV – Comma separated value files one of the older computer industry standards for transmitting data between computer programs or over the Internet. For example 3/15/2004,100,Bull, • XML- XML is a markup language for documents containing structured information. This type of data file contains a dictionary of sorts that describes the data contained in the file and then each piece of data is associated with its corresponding definition. For example Birth Date = 3/15/2004; Birth Weight = 100; Sex = Bull

8. Types of Computer and Traceback Technology Terminology • Secured sockets layer (SSL) and public key infrastructure (PKI) – The terms describe a type of secured environment by which data access is limited to specific owners of the information. • Tier 1 host site – A reliable environment for mission critical systems. • back-up power supplies • multiple lines of communication to the internet • 24 hours a day /7 day a week onsite personnel • physical security • off-site data backup storage

9. Types of Computer and Traceback Technology Terminology • RFID (radio frequency identification) - A system consisting of a tag, an antenna, a reader, and some sort of data processing equipment, such as a computer. • Reader sends a request for information to the tag • Signal hits the chip and creates an electronic current which causes it to charge the microchip • Tag responds with information • Reader forwards data to processing device

10. Types of Computer and Traceback Technology Terminology • EID (electronic identification device) - A silicone chip and copper wire. The microchip has an imbedded EID number code on it. • Antenna - A device that sends and receives radio frequency signals. • Reader – A computer like device that controls the antennae and can activate the tag or chip. • Retinal Scan – A digitized picture of the blood vessel pattern in the retina on the back of an animal’s eye. • DNA Sample – A biological sample from an animal, usually blood, hair or tissue.

11. Identification Devices / Methods • Identification tools we use in the future will need to include • unique identification number • ability to manage volumes of livestock • tamper evident • production line speeds • streamlined coordination of data management • NAIS recommends that rules remain “technology neutral” • industry is free to choose the method of individual animal identification that best suits their production system • There are a number of ways to individually identify animal. • Plastic tags with either visual ID numbers and bar codes • Metal tags for permanent individual animal identification • Brucellosis Eradication Program.

12. Identification Devices / Methods • Electronic devices • implantable microchips • rumen boluses • commonly used external button tags • 13 different companies manufacturing EID tags for use in animals • Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify individual items • Two biological technologies include: • DNA “finger printing” • retinal scanning • Identification methods that production line speeds utilize will need to be an automated process

13. Data Collection Hardware • Data readers can be large or small • Feedlots, sale barns and packing plants will likely be using the large panel and portal “walk through” readers. • Two variables predict the read range: • 1) how much copper wire is in the ID device and the antenna • 2) the amount of power provided to the system from the reader • Antennas are available in many formats • large stationary panels • small hand-held devices

14. Data Management • NAIS Individual Animal database • single central database or a dispersed database system • Separate discussion involves the management of production data • Realization of a value proposition will require: • coordinate and share data across all industry segments • local data availability and uploads to off-site data storage • protection of the data in the case of a disaster • Reports on data collected across industry consolidated for use by producers • ability to compare carcass quality to the incidence of illness • large, coordinated databases and internet for reports generated on the farm or production facility as often as management demands • Sharing of data will require stratified security access to data. • Data will be username and password protected

15. Questions Regarding Data Collection • Does your system meet the requirements described for the National Animal Identification System? • I have different types of animals in my livestock operation; can your products handle them all? • What types of technology does your system support? • Do I have to carry the computer with me when I am out in the field collecting data?

16. Answers Regarding Data Collection • Software platforms should support guidelines in support of the NAIS • Software configured for multiple hardware devices • laptops, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s), tablet pc’s, touch screen monitors • Software should accept variety of hardware devices • EID readers, scales, barcode readers, thermometers etc. • Supports the species on your operation • cattle, horses, swine, sheep, cervidae, etc. • Adaptation of services to accommodate multi-species applications • The NAIS will start with registration of premises and slowly phase in the individual animals. • Ability to capture both visual and electronic tag information

17. Questions Regarding Data Storage • Where is my data stored? • Will my data be lost? • Can I back up my data when I am working my herd?

18. Answers Regarding Data Storage Your technology provider should provide details: • How livestock data is stored and maintained • Who has access to your data • Where it is stored and how the data is backed up • Centralized data bases should also be backed up to a separate off-site storage system in case of a catastrophic event • fire, computer failure, tornado, or flood • Toolset to enable you to save data manually or automatically, as your livestock are being processed.

19. Questions Regarding Data Security • When sending my information will my data be exposed to hackers? • If I upload data, who will be able to see it?

20. Answers Regarding Data Security • Technology providers will need to provide: • encrypted (coded) method of sending data to a safe storage facility • provide control to others who will have access to your data • In some systems no third party will be able to access your information without permission • In other systems the data is transferred with ownership of the cattle • Know how your data is being handled and who is doing the handling.

21. Questions Regarding Data Access • Can I create reports of my data in the software products that I have purchased? • Can I export data collected to Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet or database applications? • Will I be able to receive carcass information from a packing plant?

22. Answers Regarding Data Access • Most software products provide basic reporting within their applications • Extensive reporting capabilities accessible from their internet portals that are seamlessly integrated with the front end software product lines • Should have the ability to export or transfer data into a spreadsheet format • Data can be transferred to other programs, and also be printed in a hard copy format for your files • NAIS is interested in 48-hour traceback to protect our national herd from a foreign animal disease (FAD) or other catastrophic disease outbreak only • Alliances being formed that will coordinate carcass information • Multiple technology providers will be offering tools to coordinate all types of production information (including carcass data) across all production segments but these activities will be outside of NAIS activities. • Most packing plants and carcass/box operations do not coordinated live animal ID numbers to individual carcass data • NAIS once fully implemented will provide some of the basic infrastructure

23. Questions Regarding Service and Support • Which types of technology do you sell, service and support? • How can I contact your Technical Support? • What type of training will you provide for both myself and my employees if I purchase your product? • What do I do if I forget my password? • Where are current installations of your software product line?

24. Answers Regarding Service and Support Technology providers at minimum should provide you with: • Telephone numbers to call for assistance hours of operation • Ability to test the software on your operation before you make a substantial investment • Technical manuals to help trouble shoot and answer questions • Easy access to your passwords • Ability to update or change your password • Contact list of customers that have used their software, hardware and/or data management services Early adopters will likely be called upon to provide advice and relay their experiences

25. Summary • Relative costs and efficiencies associated with the collection and recording of individual identification numbers at each level of the production chain are not well established today. • Consideration for ongoing costs of NAIS • identification devices • hardware used to record and transmit data • data collection software • methods data is stored and how long it needs to be stored • Current pilot projects and future implementation projects will begin to provide answers