Electronic Cow Tag
notes: label: Description
content: This electronic cow tag comes from the Cleburne Jersey Farm in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Developed at Cornell University and manufactured by Alfa-Laval, the tag is an RFID transponder that hangs around the animal’s neck. RFID stands for “radio frequency identification.” When the animal is in range of a reader, an antenna in the reader transmits a radio signal to activate the RFID chip. The chip then sends back a signal containing the animal’s identification number. The reader can relay the information to a computer that tracks each animal. Farmers and ranchers use tags to monitor a number of indicators, including medication dosage, feed output, weight, and milk production.
label: Description
content: Historically, farmers and ranchers have used a variety of methods to track their livestock, including branding, ear marking, and visual tags. The introduction of electronic tags in the 1970s provided owners with an entirely new level of technical sophistication. When attached to other sensors, RFID chips can store additional data. For example, temperature readings indicate if an animal is sick or ovulating. Some models are “active” transponders. They broadcast a signal instead of waiting for a scanner to activate them. These chips can transmit an alert as soon as an animal’s temperature is too high or even if it is giving birth. Owners generally use electronic tags in conjunction with another mark, such as a visual tag, that allows them to identify animals on sight.
label: Description
content: Created in the 1970s, electronic cow tags were an early civilian use of RFID. As with many inventions, the military was the first to develop the technology. During World War II, the British invented “Identify Friend or Foe” (IFF) radio transponders. On its own, radar could not distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft. The IFF transponders transmitted radio signals that identified the aircraft as friendly. After the war, scientists worldwide started exploring civilian application for radio frequency technology. At the beginning of the 21st century, RFID systems are found in a wide variety of businesses and public services, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, security, and medicine.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Agriculture
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content: American Enterprise
label: See more items in
content: Agriculture
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Patrick M. Campbell
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2013.0026.11
label: accession number
content: 2013.0026
label: catalog number
content: 2013.0026.11
objectType: label: Object Name
content: cow tag
label: Object Name
content: tag computer
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: blue (overall color)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 4 in x 3 in x 7/8 in; 10.16 cm x 7.62 cm x 2.2225 cm