We improve the quality of wool by Barcoding Sheep!

We knew that there were variations in the wool quality being produced - we just needed to ensure the data collected could be linked to the wool after it was removed and tested so that these differences could be analysed.

The sheep farmers had half the solution already - having RFID tags attached to their sheep to track and log their grazing locations was an important part of the solution; but we needed to find a way to use this data to improve the product that they were selling - the wool that these sheep grew.

The problem was once the wool was removed by the shearers and then passed onto the wool testers - the link to the sheep was lost.

Creating a way to link the removed wool back to the animal ID was the answer. 

Using the BT connection available on the RFID Wand allowed us to transmit the animals ID as it entered the shearing shed back to a Mobile Printer that produced an ID Barcode. This Barcode was then attached to the wool fibers so that it was available after shearing. 

Analysis was then possible after the wool was tested using the ID Barcode and being able to track where the sheep went and what food was available in those locations.

Having the ability to improve wool quality by better understanding the effect of foods and pasture conditions has given sheep farmers the edge on getting the best possible returns on their investment - another way Intermax uses barcodes effectively.

A roll on effect of this solution is that the Australian Wool Testing Authority also use these barcodes within their operation. They have also implemented barcode scanning across many areas of their testing facilities, using; Corded, Cordless and Automation scanners.