The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Free State prompted Free State Agriculture (FSA) to take proactive measures. Francois Wilken, the president of FSA, highlighted the urgency of investigating an animal traceability and safety system to prevent further risks.
The outbreak had severe financial implications across the province’s livestock value chain and proactive measures are needed to ensure that the livelihood of many farmers and the jobs of farmworkers are protected.
Tracing ownership
“Our investigation encompassed a wide array of solutions, including existing livestock management software, micro-chips, geo-based, and IoT-smart connected systems. Each option was rigorously evaluated based on practical application, cost-effectiveness, and market readiness,” Wilken said.
He explained that after extensive deliberation and trialling, FSA chose the animal identification and movement system (Aims), developed by Agri Eastern Cape, as the preferred solution for the Free State.
“The Aims facilitates the ordering and assignment of uniquely numbered ear tags for livestock, along with logging sales and transfers, ensuring swift traceability of ownership. Allfex, a trusted ear tag supplier, provides electronic identification (EID) and visual ID (VID) tags featuring QR codes for accurate data capture,” Wilken said.
Jack Armour, FSA’s commercial manager, explained that the FS-AIMS system provides a platform for ordering and assigning uniquely numbered ear tags to the livestock.
Significant system for livestock farmers
“For logging sale and transfer of livestock to new locations with the necessary Section 6 and 8 transfer forms and an animal health form. If any animals are found with the unique tags, current ownership can quickly be traced.
“As a bridge-building exercise and to add a further safety dimension, FSA is busy securing sponsorship to, with the cooperation of the state vets and commonage farmer committees, tag and record ownership of commonage livestock onto the system,” he said.
According to FSA, the launch of the live FS-AIMS site on the FSA website marks a significant milestone, allowing livestock farmers to register and populate their profiles securely.
The system complies with the FSA Popi Act protocol to safeguard personal information. Additionally, existing tag information and data from other management systems can be integrated into FS-AIMS.
“Going forward the FS and EC have a cooperation agreement to develop Aims further. R1 from each tag sold goes to improve the system to keep pace with industry trends and needs,” Armour said.
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