Swine exhibition sites, state pork associations, and Extension programs with a current Premises Identification Number (PIN) are eligible to apply for up to four handheld radio-frequency identification, or RFID, tag readers. Brent Pepin, director of swine health at the National Pork Board, says the readers are designed to work alongside AgView, helping improve animal traceability and disease preparedness. Pepin adds that 840 RFID tags can be integrated into AgView® via a new feature called My Barn.
Pepin shares that combining the My Barn feature with handheld RFID tag readers makes the check-in process much easier and faster. The technology’s speed in recording each animal ID helps with both record-keeping and improving traceability and movement documentation for state animal health officials.
Pepin said this technology gives producers peace of mind, knowing they can easily track each animal and potentially trace the origin of any disease outbreak. This technology aligns with the National Swine Health Strategy’s goal to keep foreign and emerging animal diseases out of the U.S.
