2. The FARMA platform
2.1. Data
Through the use of the FARMA platform a large amount of animal
related data could be managed. First of all, holding and animals
identification parameters can be stored. These parameters can supply
all the necessary information about the identity of the holding,
as well as the identity of every single animal. In addition, the platform
can control animal movement parameters, divided into two
categories: ingress and egress activities. Ingress is related to all new
animals entering the farm, whereas egress activity characterizes all
animals leaving the farm or dying.
Moreover, productive and reproductive data can be stored. The
former concern milk, wool and meat production whereas the latter
refer to all the information needed to evaluate the reproductive
performances of the animals. In addition, data concerning ethology
and nutrition are recorded. Finally, animal health parameters, such
as controlling infectious diseases, vaccination program and medication
can be stored, so as to provide valuable information to the
owners and to the vets of the holdings.
Finally, a minimum set of animal identification data that can be
used in order to identify the animal and its behavior can be stored
on the RFID tag on the animal, provided that rewriting of the tag is
possible. In thisway, if an animal is found, the information about its
identity, the farm where it belongs and some useful data about his
behavior towards humans, other animals or premises can be read,
thus allowing for proper handling of the animal.
2.2. Platform architecture
The philosophy on which the design and implementation of the
FARMA platform is based is graphically depicted in Fig. 1. The scope
of the platform lies in the storage and management of information
regarding various categories of animals (sheep, cattle, pigs,
etc.), using various types of RFID tags (boluses, injectable glass tags,
button tags/ear tags) to identify the animals. The entire platform
involves various kinds of workstations, such as desktop computers