Smart-ID Control – automatic ear tag loss detection in the Opti.Station

• WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp launches Smart-ID Control, an intelligent system that detects lost electronic ear tags on sows during feeding.

• The system uses a motion sensor and RFID antenna to identify missing tags in real time and marks affected animals with colored paint.

• Immediate notifications allow farmers to quickly locate and re-tag sows, preventing hunger and condition loss.

• This technology significantly reduces labor time, stress for both animals and farmers, and minimizes disturbances in group housing environments.

Smart-ID Control from WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp is an intelligent, sensor-based monitoring system for the ‘Opti.Station’ feeding station used in group housing for pregnant sows. It automatically detects the loss of electronic ear tags (RFID transponders) directly whilst the animals are feeding.

Smart-ID Control proactively solves the problem

In modern group housing with return stations, the loss of an ear tag is problematic: the affected animal no longer receives feed at the collection station, rapidly loses condition and is virtually impossible to locate manually in large groups of up to 100 sows. Until now, the farmer has only noticed the loss after a delay by checking feed consumption on the computer and has had to spend a great deal of time searching for the unmarked animal within the group. Smart-ID Control from WEDA proactively solves this problem by linking the animal’s physical presence to its digital identification and immediately highlighting the affected sow in the barn.

System identifies lost ear tags in real time

A motion sensor integrated into the trough’s outlet pipe physically detects when a sow approaches the trough to feed. At the same time, the station’s RFID antenna attempts to read the animal’s ear tag. If the motion sensor detects the presence of a sow at the trough but the antenna does not receive a corresponding RFID signal, the system identifies the loss of the ear tag in real time. Whilst the animal is still standing at the trough, the station activates an integrated spraying device and marks the sow with coloured paint on its back. In parallel with the visual marking in the barn, the system immediately sends a notification.

Key features and benefits at a glance

• Ensuring a continuous supply of nutrients: Sows that have lost their ear tags are immediately identified and re-tagged. This effectively prevents periods of hunger, loss of condition and stressful ranking battles at the feed trough.

• Enormous time savings during animal checks: The time-consuming, laborious task of searching for a single sow in a large group is completely eliminated. Thanks to the colour marking, the animal can be located at a glance in the pen.

• Stress-free work for the farmer: The quick insertion of the new ear tag directly within the group minimises disturbance in the barn.

• A significant reduction in the risk of accidents due to pupils spending only a short time in the whole-school group.