FarmIT 3000 - Working With EID Stick Readers

EID Stick Readers for Sheep and Cattle EID Tags

Agrident AWE100 Stick Reader for reading Sheep EID Tags

Agrident AWE100 - 2006

One of the very first stick readers, it was used on the UK trails. It was soon replaced. It was very strong and easy to use.

Stick Readers go right back to 2005 and the initial trials of electronic identification for the tagging of sheep. The technology behind the reader goes way back to a system developed by TEXAS instruments in the 1970’s. Basically the eid reader energises the tags which then transmit their number, the reader receives this and converts it into a usable form.

Given the government enforced system many tag manufactures developed their own readers hoping to sell one to every farmer, the market looked large.

Stick readers are actually no different to any other EID reader except that the package looks like a stick or wand. The ‘stick’ merely allows the user slightly more reach over a hand held reader, the actual coil antenna being at the end of the stick.

Having read a tag however the real problem was and still is what do you do with it. Create a list, print the list, download to computer, or send it to a computer( or phone ). This was the problem.

Agrident AWE100 - Close Up

Simple to use the AWE100 had only ONE button, made a basic list, NO bluetooth, you had to dowload the list to your PC

Generally stick readers do not have numeric keyboards, so you can not enter any numbers. This makes basic tasks difficult for example retagging are not possible. When recording movements, scanning a group of 100 lambs, is fine as long as all the animals have EID. A missing or malfunctioning tag will need to be written down, as you cannot key in the number manually.SO was this ever a 100% solution?

It was not long before several manufactures started developing their own stick reader. They started to flash and beep, they also started to get more complex, making multiple lists, and getting bluetooth

BothBoth the Agrident and Shearwell stick readers provide for multiple lists of sheep and keep counts of the number of sheep scanned. They also provide visual confirmation with lights on the end of the sticks to identify multiple reads and have continuous read modes, requiring the operator to only press the button to start and stop the list.

Shearwell SDL400 - 2007

Again ONE button, Strong and robust, it made a basic list, had bluetooth and you could dowload the list to your PC

Because stick readers tend to have only one button, the reader menu and commands are performed by timed button pressing as the reader is switch on. Then it comes to pricing, you will find no difference between stick readers and data loggers, ranging from £550 to £950. They simply are not cheaper and most of the data loggers now have rapid read functions. Therefore most farmers are electing for data loggers rather than stick readers. We do however have more advanced users who have a Psion Workabout Pro and a stick reader. There are also option including Bluetooth etc.

Shearwell SDL400 Close Up

Again ONE button, Strong and robust, it made a basic list, had bluetooth and you could dowload the list to your PC

Initially readers needed to download the list of tags for you to do something, printing direct to a mobile printer soon arrived as did more sticks from more manufacturers

Alflex ISO Reader 2010 (?)

Again ONE button, Robust and simple. It came with a comprehensive pack including printer!

Tag master in Scotland worked closely with Alflex and supplied quite a few version one alflex sticks. Very popular at markets and with assisted funding. So a simple answer for a quick printed list of tags to staple to a movement licence!

Readers Develop 2010 - 2015

Tru-Test XRS 2012

Two buttons, one does a menu, Strong and robust, multiple lists, bluetooth and you could dowload the list to your PC. It also connects automatically to Tru-Test weigh heads like the EW7

Initially EID in sheep was due to come into force in 2006. This unsurprisingly slipped and tagging became mandatory in 2010. By 2010 stick readers arrived from Alflex, Gallagher and Tru-Test (now Datamars). Version 2 readers also arrived from Shearwell and Agrident.

As readers started to be used, functionality started to improve, multiple lists, better bluetooth, more phone apps and more buttons. Government grants also stimulated the farmers to buy readers and stick readers were popular however this did means farmers were using them and many readers simply ended up in the cupboard.

Tru-Test XRS close up

Simple display, two buttons provide menu and menu navigations. Configurable output etc

All EID readers can be configured to output data in a number of formats, which has caused considerable confusion to those that did not read the manual or "get techi". Most also come with PC software, again something that users did not grasp. Few readers actually worked straight out of the box, some where put straight back in the box!

Gallagher HR3

Simple display, ergonomic design

Gallagher also produce a range of EID readers, both static and handheld. However UK sales have been limited with the Gallagher readers often being more expensive than their competitors.

The Next Generation of Readers 2015 - 2020

Tru-Test XRS2 - 2018

Second generation from Tru-Test introduced a numeric keyboard. More capability but not as simple

As farmers started to use readers, feedback suggested they wanted to do more. So one or two manufacturers improved the functionality, added keyboard, enhanced capability.

However with many version one readers still in the cupboard, was this really the case, or was the industry listening to a minority of farmers, the few that actually wanted to use the reader?

Alflex RS420 - 2018

Second generation from Alflex introduced a better screen and came with a comprehensive kit of bits.

Farmers continued to be encouraged to purchase EID readers with various grants in England, Scotland and Wales. However this did not actually seem to encourage use.

Poor government online systems, ARAMS and LIS failed to get farmer engagement with EID. The proposed introduction of Cattle EID has as yet failed to materialise. It is likely that many eid readers will be past their sell by date by the time it is introducted.

Agrident AWE300

Second generation from Agrident the AWE300 changed its look

The Agrident AWE300 shared its internal components with the handheld APR600. Which also meant it could do more, it also then meant it could be more expensive and have a cheaper model the AWE200.

MSD purchases Alflex and Agrident

It was arround 2016 / 2018 that MSD purchased Alflex and then Agrident. So we now have two of the EID manufacturers owned by one parent company. What this will mean in the future is a good question, but it is doubtfull that the accountants at MSD will think it a profitable idea to keep both.

Gallagher HR4 and HR5

Simple display, ergonomic design, more data collection.

The Gallagher HR4 and HR5 also grew in functionality, collecting more data, a better display. The HR5 features a numeric keypad. However simple? and more for the user wanting to do more it is not for everyone.

Since 2020

With the global covid crisis production and supply of electronic components total fell apart. Many manufacturers had great problems in the production of equipment. Simply buying a reader has now became a challange. Prices have also risen.

Since covid the situation has not returned to normal but there continue to be shortages.

Electronic Lifecycle and Batteries - 5 YEARS!

Corroded Batteries

Batteries after being in the cupboard for 4 years

Modern eModern electronics are designed to be replaced as technology improves and components evolve. This is rather strange for LF EID technology has not changed since the early 1970's. It is however the laws of physics that define how it works. In other industries Low Frequency EID is being taken over by Ultra High Frequency EID, and it is UHF tags that are tracking every parcel in the world.

However although the basic physics have not changed the compenents in the readers have, so manufacturers are forced to design a new models if they are going to make more units as they can not get the components to make the old models. This has been compounded by the loss of many component manufacturers. Most components have a 5 year production run, which in a world which has tight lead times means a 5 year production run for your EID reader.

All the readers rely on batteries, and we know batteries do not store well. In fact most of the readers left in the cupboard are now useless due to their batteries failing, they may have never been used. EID readers also tended to get plastic molded battery packs with Lithum Iron batteries, so you find you can no longer buy a battery, your EID reader may be useless for lack of a £30 battery pack.

It is a STICK!
Try to remember that from the animals point of view you are waving a stick at it! OK your intent may be to read the ear tag number, but unfortunately the animal may no see it that way. So unless the animal is in a pen or race you are not going to get close enough to use your reader, visual readable tags still have their place, Of course waving a stick at the animals head tends to upset it, though this is not a big problem with sheep, cattle could be another matter, try to avoid putting your arm or the stick through the bars of your cattle crush.