automatic
point of
data capture
sale
Livestock market relies
on Metrologic to keep track
CASE STUDY
o the beef, sheep and dairy animals leave their farm and another Metrologic has been supplying
T
industries, traceability and when they arrive at their destination. @gridata – through its Platinum
transparency are key So, for example, a calf being shown at Business Partner, Synergix – with
watchwords. With an ever the South of England Show will have single line laser barcode scanners
increasing number of forms four movement cards just to go from throughout its history. The MS951 was
to fill in and records to be kept, it is the farm to the show and back. the first of the Metrologic products in
little wonder that such a tightly use, but today it has been superseded
controlled industry has looked to by the MS9520/40 Voyager and the
automation to speed up its processes Legislative requirement MS5145 Eclipse. These easy-to-use
and keep the levels of stock accuracy All of these movements are then and ergonomic handheld scanners
demanded by legislation. Devon registered with the British Cattle simply read the barcode-labelled ear
based @gridata has been a pioneer Movement Service (BCMS), which tag number on the movement card
in this area and produced the first keeps a record of movements of all relating to the relevant animal, with the
version of its farm management cattle within the UK. This is a information downloaded on to the PC
software package in 1997. To date, legislative requirement and similar or laptop, from where the software
there are over 3000 users across the processes are carried out across the allows the record to be uploaded
UK and Ireland. The software package EU states. In the event of a breakout of directly into the BCMS database.
creates a complete history of the a disease, such as Foot & Mouth or This is quicker and more accurate
animal; from birth to slaughter, Blue Tongue, it is vital that the history than either mailing the cards or hand
including veterinary and medicinal of the movement of the affected typing the 14-digit code.
treatments and of course, the breed animals is instantly available so that
type. Other management reports are effective quarantine measures can be @gridata’s automated system has
also available for the running and put in place at the correct location and simplified the record keeping systems
marketing of beef herds. at the earliest opportunity. A useful of thousands of cattle and sheep
advantage of the system also means famers across the UK, as Alison
But probably the most laborious and that any DEFRA (UK Government Westcott of @gridata explained.
time-consuming task facing the farmer Department for Food &
comes when an animal or herd of Rural Affairs) inspection is
animals needs to be moved. A movement quicker and easier for
card needs to be filled in for every cow those farmers whose
or sheep that leaves the farm or location. records are utilising the
This applies to movement between system and are able to
farms, to market and even to local produce the reports that
county shows. A card is filled in as the are required.
“By necessity this is a highly regulated
industry. The use of an automated
system saves an incredible amount
of time. Metrologic has supplied us
with the data capture units for the last
11 years. Their longevity, reliability
and ease of installation and use
complement our farmer friendly,
easy-to-use program. It’s an ideal
partnership.” a71
14 IT RESELLER – JUNE 2008
www.itrportal.com
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