Getting started with eID: Equipment options for livestock management

Author: Jodie Reseigh-O’Brien, AWI Extension SA Project Manager, and Michelle Cousins, Cousins Merino Services

With the state government rollout of mandatory electronic identification (eID) tags for sheep now across Australia, many producers are asking what equipment is needed to make the most of this technology for management purposes. 

Importantly, implementing eID doesn't require a large investment in complex or expensive gear. The first step is to define your goals:  

• What is important to your business?
• What information do you need to collect to tell you things that are important to your business?  
• What benefits or outcomes are you aiming for?
• What data is needed to support those outcomes? 

Your goals might be as simple as meeting National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) requirements, to improving stock handling and workplace health and safety (WH&S), or using individual animal management (IAM) data to boost productivity and profitability. Once these objectives are clear, you can explore how eID tools can help you collect, analyse, and apply the right data. AWI Extension WA produced a handy article titled Utilising eID data to increase profit that provides further insight to fine-tuning your goals and narrowing down important data to collect for your requirements. 

eID data can be integrated with various smart scale headers, readers, and farm management or business software platforms (like Microsoft Excel), and can be a valuable tool for improving decision-making and overall farm performance.

Key benefits of eID technology 

Using eID equipment streamlines tag reading, significantly improves data accuracy, and enables detailed recording of individual animal performance and activities, such as drenching, vaccination, other treatments, and pregnancy scanning. This supports more informed decisions, lifting productivity, profitability, and overall on-farm management.

Equipment options 

Stick/hand-held readers (wands)
These portable readers vary in functionality, from basic models that scan tags and send data to a connected device (e.g., weigh scales or computers), to more advanced units that display individual animal information on their own screen. Stick readers are also a cost-effective entry point and can be integrated with weighing and auto-drafting systems for enhanced flock management. 

Panel readers 
Panel readers are mounted on raceways or auto-drafters and automatically scan eID tags as animals pass through. Ideal for highvolume operations, panel readers send data to another device for processing. They can also be combined with weighing and drafting systems to improve operational efficiency.  

Indicators (scale heads) 
Indicators display, store, and manage the data collected by stick or panel readers. Their capabilities vary by model, with more advanced (and expensive) units able to capture, display, and analyse a broader range of data. 

By adopting the right mix of eID tools, producers can unlock powerful insights into individual animal performance—driving improvements in productivity, profitability, and overall farm management. 

More information 

• Integrity Systems Company Sheep electronic identification
• Integrity Systems Company Handy contacts
• AWI Extension SA fact sheet Electronic identification (eID) equipment
• AWI Extension WA article Utilising eID data to increase profit
• AWI Extension SA case study: Using eID for productivity & profitability with Darren Eatts at BR Eatts Pty Ltd, Wambi, SA
• AWI Extension SA case study: Using eID for productivity & profitability with David Andriske at Andriske Farms, Galga, SA
• AWI Extension SA case study: Using eID for productivity and profitability in the Southern Flinders with Dave Clarke
• AWI Extension SA case study: Using eID for productivity and profitability with Chris Lymn at Lymn Farms, Wudinna, SA