RFID technology
The decision was made to select low frequency technology for the NAIT scheme RFID ear tags because part of NAIT’s brief from its major shareholders (Government and industry) was to select proven and commercially available technology.
Low frequency is still the only proven and commercially available RFID technology for animal identification. There still is currently no proven range of ultra high frequency (UHF) animal tags commercially available locally or internationally.
NAIT, on behalf of farmers, needs to ensure performance and retention standards are met in the practical application of RFID technology for the NAIT scheme.
The NAIT system has been designed to accommodate the UHF data standard and would be able to take such data if and when UHF tags and UHF reading systems are proven technically and commercially.
Introduction of UHF RFID technology would be preceded by consultation to discuss its benefits and costs. Those consulted for their input would include farmers, sale yard operators and meat industry groups as well as tag manufacturers and farming technology suppliers.
NAIT has discussed new technologies such as UHF with NAIT-approved tag manufacturers. They are doing some research but there is no indication commercially viable UHF tags will be available in the near term. NAIT is working with key partners to ensure that no impediments to new technology such as UHF exist beyond its technical and commercial viability.
