NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An infrared device that captures images of an animal’s retina could be the next step in cattle identification technology.
Developed by three scientists at the University of Colorado, the system is being marketed under the name Optibrand. Company boss John Shadduck said the system is now in field trials in the American Midwest.
The inventors have applied for patents and hope to have it available commercially this year.
On display at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention, the system is sophisticated yet simple to use.
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When an animal is placed in a chute, an infrared camera about the size of a flashlight is shone into both eyes to digitally photograph the retinas. It takes three to 10 seconds to get a good picture.
The image shows a pattern of blood vessels at the back of the eye that is as distinct and individual as human fingerprints.
When the image is captured, it is linked with the animal’s location using a global position system contained in a hand-held unit.
“We think it is essential, because when you identify livestock you want to know where they are,” Shadduck said.
The data could be used to prove country of origin when the mandatory labelling law comes into effect in 2004. The hand-held unit is attached to a portable battery pack or can be plugged into a car battery.
It has a small screen and keypad so the operator can enter the animal’s identification number, date and time the information was stored, and management information such as weight, sex and face colour.
The information is stored on a removable compact flash card similar to those used in digital cameras.
The disk can hold as many as 4,000 images. Information can be stored in a personal computer or sent to a central data collection point. It is confidential and can be retrieved by the owner as quickly as electronic mail.
The image can be used for identification for about an hour after the animal dies.
