1. Using RFID in the Marketing of WV Feeder Cattle Ronnie Helmondollar WVU Extension Service

2. WV Marketing history Small part-time farmers Commingled calf sales started in 1932 USDA implements Grades for Feeder Cattle in 1979 Marketing Pools Pre-vac Weaning programs RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

3. WHY RFID? NAIS Value added There had to be an easier way!! Can we do it?

4. Software Spreadsheet VS Database

5. Locations Barbour County Jackson County

6. Getting started

12. Weighing Process Jackson Co Sex#hd Time (hours)#hd/hr Steers6677.1892.8 Heifers4595.2886.8

13. Weighing Process Barbour Co Sex#hd Time (hours)#hd/hr Steers3414.1582.2 Heifers1812.4673.6

14. Load Processing Jackson Co Sex# loads Time (hours) Steers82.85 Heifers61.37

15. Load Processing Barbour Co Sex# loads Time (hours) Steers41.08 Heifers20.3

16. Observations The ability to electronically read and edit animal identification at receipt greatly improved the weighing process. Tag retention was not a problem. Only six RFID tags needed to be replaced.

17. Observations RFID technology eliminated misread tags and reduced worker effort to read dirty tags in a moving animal. The time required to weigh and process calves at take-up was reduced of the previous year.

18. 2006 6500 claves will marketed utilizing this system

19. Questions ???