TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AND IMPLEMENTATION COSTS OF SHEEP IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

• Published in: Engenharia agrícola Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 1073 - 1080
• Main Authors: Bezerra, Alan C., Pandorfi, Héliton, Carvalho, Francisco F. R. E, Guiselini, Cristiane, Lima, Thiago A. S. de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola 01.09.2017
• Subjects: animal identification; sheep production; traceability
• ISSN: 0100-6916; 0100-6916
• DOI: 10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v37n5p1073-1080/2017

The objective of this research was to characterize the efficiency and convenience of sheep identification system and its implementation costs. Therefore we quantified the time for implementation, reading and data transfer to a management program in a manual system (earrings) and electronic system (subcutaneous transponders). Furthermore, it was evaluated the implementation costs of the traceability systems by analysis of the absorption costs and comparison between systems. It was observed that the implementation time for the manual system was shorter (2.2 s animal−1) than the electronic system (4.67 s animal−1). As for reading time, the electronic system presented shorter time (2.89 s animal−1) than the manual system (4.67 s animal−1). As for the data transfer time, the electronic system also presented shorter time (16 s) than manual system (6 min and 42 s). In terms of economic costs, the manual system presented lower implementation costs and lower values per tracked animal to ensure the economic viability. In conclusion, the producer must analyze the context around the production unit to choose the best traceability system.