How long does it take to capture a retinal image?
Does the animal need to be restrained to capture a retinal image?
Does bright light affect my ability to collect retinal images?
Is there a conflict between the GPS stamp used in the Optibrand system and the premises ID required by the National Animal ID program?
Does the OptiReader® device work with other livestock identifiers?
Does the OptiReader® device work on slaughtered cattle?
Can weights and other management information be recorded at the same time retinal images are collected?
How much does the Optibrand system cost?
How long does it take to capture a retinal image?
Typically a trained operator can capture and store an image of the animal’s retinal vascular pattern in less than fifteen seconds. The OptiReader® device is a combination hand held computer and digital video camera that takes 19 frames per second. The device analyzes the retinal images to identify an acceptable image and then captures it automatically.
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Does the animal need to be restrained to take a retinal image?
Yes, a typical squeeze chute or calf cradle is all that is needed. Since retinal images are typically collected at the same time that livestock are being handled for other reasons, there is no need to catch the animals just to take retinal images. On the ranch this would include when calves are collected for branding, preconditioning or weaning. In the feedlot retinal imaging can be accomplished at receiving, re-implanting or during veterinary treatment.
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Does bright light affect my ability to collect retinal images?
Images cannot be collected in direct sunlight, but by modifying the facilities slightly to block bright light, image capture is easily accomplished. Many livestock handling facilities are covered which contributes to the speed and efficiency with which operators can collect images.
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Is there a conflict between the GPS stamp used in the Optibrand system and the premises ID required by the National Animal ID program?
No. One of the most important features of the Optibrand system is the flexibility of the technology. It's simple for the OptiReader® device to automatically include the premise ID number with every record.
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Does the OptiReader® device work with other livestock identifiers?
At Optibrand, we recognize that producers, feedlots, auctions markets and processors must be able to efficiently and cost effectively collect animal ID data from multiple identifiers. With this in mind, we have designed our system to securely capture individual animal data from any source including retinal vascular patterns, radio-frequency ID tags, bar coded tags and even pre-printed or written ear tags. It is also possible to photo-document other key animal attributes. Not only can the Optibrand system collect data from any identifier, it links it to a Global Positioning System time, date and location stamp and for each record. The information is then stored in your private database.
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Does the OptiReader® device work on slaughtered cattle?
Yes. The retinal image remains readable after slaughter, allowing the processing plant to easily collect images and assure the traceability of the animal. In addition, the OptiReader® device provides the capability to collect livestock identification from many other systems including hand-written or pre-printed ear tags, radio frequency ID tags, bar-codes, or even no visual identification at all. This makes our device an extremely efficient, cost effective system for bridging the traceability gap between pre-harvest and post-harvest livestock identification.
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Can weights and other management information be recorded at the same time retinal images are collected?
Yes, the OptiReader® device is the universal data collection tool. It can be programmed to allow the input of many different types of information that then become a part of the image record. This information can be keyed in as text, selected from menus, or downloaded from auxiliary data collection equipment such as scale heads, barcode readers, electronic ID readers, printers, and keyboards. The system also has photo documentation capabilities. The management data is automatically linked to the animal's retinal information, other identifiers and GPS stamp.
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How much does the Optibrand system cost?
The Optibrand system is competitive with other commercially available ID and data collection systems. Several factors impact the cost, however the primary factor is the volume of animals processed using the OptiReader® device. The aggregate cost of several images per animal is less than the current cost for one electronic ear tag.
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