Sheep eid readers

[Alex6160]

Im looking at buying an eid reader this year but i need help on which is the best to get, I want to know if there are any readers out there that I can store information like, how many lambs a ewe had, how easy lambing she was, whether she had prolapsed before hand and whether she had enough milk to rear the lambs she brought, so that when it comes to tupping time in the autumn i can just scan all the ewes with the reader and get rid of any problemed ewes that struggled over lambing season, thank you
Alex

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Have a look on tgm softwares website they have them all there with an explanation of what they can and cant do.

 

[Woolless]

Im looking at buying an eid reader this year but i need help on which is the best to get, I want to know if there are any readers out there that I can store information like, how many lambs a ewe had, how easy lambing she was, whether she had prolapsed before hand and whether she had enough milk to rear the lambs she brought, so that when it comes to tupping time in the autumn i can just scan all the ewes with the reader and get rid of any problemed ewes that struggled over lambing season, thank you
Alex

I think a Psion does all that. Or you could buy a cheap stick reader and a set of ear-notchers...

 

[iLivestock]

Im looking at buying an eid reader this year but i need help on which is the best to get, I want to know if there are any readers out there that I can store information like, how many lambs a ewe had, how easy lambing she was, whether she had prolapsed before hand and whether she had enough milk to rear the lambs she brought, so that when it comes to tupping time in the autumn i can just scan all the ewes with the reader and get rid of any problemed ewes that struggled over lambing season, thank you
Alex

Hi Alex,

It may sound a little backwards but It might be worth considering what software you are going to use on the farm, or if you have farm software you should speak with them to find about integration between the software and the reader. I've put some basic tips below:

• The Psion readers will allow you to capture loads of information whilst on the farm but do require a level of skill and complex farm software. It the Old School way of getting your data from the office onto the farm but it works.

• Data Loggers - These are compact readers that have less ability than a Psion but provide the same sort of idea. Agrident are about to replace there older units and they are looking smart.

• Stick Readers - The new readers ( Agrident AWL200/AWR 300 & Tru-Test/Gallagher) units do allow you to capture some information, they are worth a look. The older readers on the market are limited in function but do allow the EID read/

If you're not against the idea of using your phone/tablet to capture information then you can purchase something cheaper and use our App

I hope that helps.

Any questions let us know.

Ewen

 

[Alex6160]

Hi Alex,

It may sound a little backwards but It might be worth considering what software you are going to use on the farm, or if you have farm software you should speak with them to find about integration between the software and the reader. I've put some basic tips below:

• The Psion readers will allow you to capture loads of information whilst on the farm but do require a level of skill and complex farm software. It the Old School way of getting your data from the office onto the farm but it works.

• Data Loggers - These are compact readers that have less ability than a Psion but provide the same sort of idea. Agrident are about to replace there older units and they are looking smart.

• Stick Readers - The new readers ( Agrident AWL200/AWR 300 & Tru-Test/Gallagher) units do allow you to capture some information, they are worth a look. The older readers on the market are limited in function but do allow the EID read/

If you're not against the idea of using your phone/tablet to capture information then you can purchase something cheaper and use our App

I hope that helps.

Any questions let us know.

Ewen

The software side of it wont be a problem as I'm only 24 so apps or computer programmes are like second nature to me, im lookimg for something that i can scan in the shed as I'm putting ewes and lambs out and put information in right there and then, what would you recommend ?

 

[iLivestock]

The software side of it wont be a problem as I'm only 24 so apps or computer programmes are like second nature to me, im lookimg for something that i can scan in the shed as I'm putting ewes and lambs out and put information in right there and then, what would you recommend ?

Ok great, you could capture that information on our iLivestock app ( Apple only at current), if you have Android you will need to wait till the end of the year . This way you can purchase a "cheaper" reader and then use your smartphone to do the data entry. You don't need to have the reader to use our app but it does make it quicker when identifying sheep.

If not our software, then you are looking at companies that offer a Psion style reader integrated with the software, like Farmplan/Shearwell/BorderSoftware.

If you want happy to chat on the phone, just send a PM to us.

Thanks

Ewen

 

[Muddyroads]

We have the Shearwell system. Probably an overkill, but we’ve a Psion based stock recorder and a stick reader. Wife is techy so likes the gadgets. The stock recorder is good for inputting data in the way you’re describing and links to electronic weigh scales by Bluetooth which is particularly useful, showing previous weights and DLW gain/loss. The wand is better for quickly reading numbers and making lists to a phone. I find the stock reader quite bulky, but it sits in the lambing bucket with the rest of the kit.

 

[iLivestock]

Picking up on the weigh head side.... Something a bit different to the norm

 

[farmerm]

I would happily put my own ios app together to store and recall data in the dark winter months. What I can't find is a low cost reader that I could link to my phone

 

[Al R]

The software side of it wont be a problem as I'm only 24 so apps or computer programmes are like second nature to me, im lookimg for something that i can scan in the shed as I'm putting ewes and lambs out and put information in right there and then, what would you recommend ?

How many ewes are you running and how much time do you have? A pile of blank tags of a colour you don’t use and a set of ear notchers is the most time efficient. Problem ewes/prolapses/feet problems/udder problems etc or 2 dead lambs get a red cull tag next to the yellow EID tag so easily seen. A pair of ear notchers for putting in ewe lambs or ram lambs ears that have been born without any help and from good mothers and the right breed of sires, we’re running 7 notches now for different breeds and breed of sire and works very well, it means the lambing shed and both quads and also a spare set if in the handling systems can all notch or tag any problems - a few staff around at lambing all know the script and it’s also all waterproof/can’t be broken.

 

[TGM]

Update on the Agrident readers - there are 4 in the series, 2 handhelds and 2 sticks. the lowest cost handheld is < £400 and does all the recording of management data - lambs linked to ewes, lamibng difficulty, lamb sex, weights, links to bluetooth weigh scales if you want to go that route etc. We've now produced an app that takes all the recorded data via BT into a phone and sends it back to the office either by email if you're not using our software, or by cloud storage if you are using our software. This means the sticks never have to be brought to the office or house to get the data off them unto computer. App should be on google store by end of this week. It works with all 4 agrident readers. - the yellow trimmed handheld and yellow trimmed stick allow full management recording, but no memory to hold a database for out in the field look up of data. the red trimmed handheld and red trimmed stick allow the same management recording, but they have an internal database to allow you to look up sheep data - mother, father, lambing date, how many lambs, ;last weights, last medicines etc. You get approx 2 - 3 agrident readers, depending on model, for the price of one workabout pro (which shearwell calls the stock recorder).