WO1995002957A1

WO1995002957A1 - Livestock identification device

Info

Publication number: WO1995002957A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Pfistershammer
Original assignee: Josef Pfistershammer
Priority date: 1993-07-23
Filing date: 1994-07-22
Publication date: 1995-02-02
Also published as: EP0710070A1; EP0710070A4; AU5500094A

Abstract

A livestock identification device (10, 80) comprising a clamping means (12) having two substantially opposed arms (28, 82, 100) between or within which the median septum (66) of an animal's nose/muzzle (60) or the leg of an animal may be engaged and a mid-portion (18, 150) from which a tag means (14, 120) is at least in part substantially upstanding, the mid-portion (18, 150) proportioned at least in part to rest upon the animal's upper lip (72) or leg and ensure that the tag means (14, 120) is irretrievably locked in the mid-portion and is substantially upstanding for identification.

Description

TITLE

LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a livestock identification device. More preferably, the livestock identification device of the present invention is intended to be received in either the nose/muzzle or about the ankle of an individual animal in a manner allowing inter alia, identification of an animal.

Further, the livestock identification device of the present invention when received in the nose/muzzle of an animal may in addition have associated therewith an apparatus for monitoring changes in the body temperature of that animal as they, for example relate to the reproductive cycle in that animal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION At present, there are a number of methods available for the identification of livestock including ear tagging and nose/muzzle tagging. Typically, a tag will be marked with a form of alphanumeric identification code before being attached to an animal. Alternatively or in addition thereto the tag itself can be formed of different colours to designate any number of desired parameters. Ear tags carrying such information are only effective when visible. Often an animal's orientation will not allow visual identification of a tag attached to an ear as ears have a tendency to be hidden if the animal is looking directly at an observer. This problem is accentuated by the usual tendency for stock animals' ears to flop, effectively obscuring the tag in many cases. Further, ear tags are easily obscured by an animal's hair. If that hair is clipped the tendency is for that hair to grow more quickly and to again obscure the tag. Existing nose tags are fashioned to hang from the nose of an animal. Such tags interfere with eating and suckling in these animals.

Further disadvantages of the abovementioned tagging methods is that all involve the drawing of blood at some point. Typically, the ear or nose is pierced and a tag threaded through the hole and fastened. One form of ear tag is formed in such a manner that the act of fitting the tag pierces the ear. However, blood is still drawn when fitting such a tag. These fitting methods leave the animal open to cross-infection with a variety of blood-borne diseases including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or commonly "mad cow disease". A still further disadvantage of these tags is the fact that they are able to be caught or hooked on any number of objects surrounding the animals to which they are fitted, for example fences and the like. Their method of attachment to the animal means they are often pulled out which causes bleeding. Often this is due to the area of attachment not being highly sensitive, for example the ear, and consequently the animal is often not particularly conscious of the loss of the tag.

Ear tagging has a still further disadvantage in that small tags are less likely to be removed in any of the above manners. However, small tags are less legible. Conversely, larger tags are more legible but are more prone to being removed. Either choice is in some way a compromise. Presently used ear and nose tags typically have an identification message applied thereto on an outer surface. This exposes the message to accidental or deliberate alteration. For example, some or all of the message may be lost or obscured through abrasion. Identification of an animal carcass after slaughtering is typically an onerous task due to the ear tag being removed upon removal of the hide. A breeder wishing to correlate individual animals with their weight, back fat thickness and other important measurements is required to observe and track the slaughtering process very closely so as to not confuse the results obtained.

With regard to a second aspect of the present invention it should be noted that effective cattle herd management requiring increased productivity depends, in part, on reliable oestrus detection. It is often difficult to visually detect cycling bovines early in their lactation if milk yields are high. This is because of the short duration of observable signs associated with oestrus cows under stress. Presently, it is particularly difficult to maintain economical, annual inter-calving intervals in herds with high breeding and feeding aims. It is often the case that genetic, managerial and nutritional gains are wasted due to the reduced total lifetime production in bovines that have only a few peak lactations.

The livestock identification device of the present invention has as one object thereof to overcome the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a livestock identification device characterised by a clamping means having two substantially opposed arms between or within which the median septum of an animal's nose or the leg of an animal may be engaged and a mid-portion from which a tag means is at least in part substantially upstanding, the mid-portion proportioned at least in part to rest upon the animal's upper lip and ensure that the tag portion is substantially upstanding for identification. Preferably, the clamping means is characterised by a pair of arms, each arm being receivable in part within the mid-portion and being operable between an unengaged state and an engaged state. The engaged state of the arms being one during which the animal's nose and median septum thereof or leg may be engaged.

Still preferably, the tag means is removably received in part in the mid-portion, whereby the or each arm is in the engaged state the tag means may be received in or removed from the mid-portion and that when the or each arm is moved to the engaged state the tag means is held in its received position in the mid-portion.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring the reproductive cycle in livestock characterised by the fitting of a livestock identification device to the nose of the livestock to be monitored and directing the livestock past, through or within range of a receiver at least once each day, the livestock identification device being capable of recording data in relation to the livestock's body heat and transferring that data to the receiver upon passing the receiver, whereby a user is able to determine from the receiver the stage of the reproductive cycle of each livestock member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a frontal upper perspective view of a livestock identification device in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the livestock identification device shown in

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the livestock identification device of Figure 1 showing the various components separated and the clamping means unengaged;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a mid-portion of the clamping means of the livestock identification device of Figure 1 showing the clamping means engaged;

Figure 5 is an upper perspective view showing the livestock identification device of

Figure 1 during fitting to a newborn or young animal and showing the clamping means unengaged;

Figure 6 is an upper perspective view showing the livestock identification device of

Figure 1 during fitting to a mature animal with the clamping means engaged;

Figure 7 is an upper plan view of the livestock identification device of Figure 1 fitted to an animal's nose with the clamping means in an engaged state about the median septum of the nose;

Figure 8 is a frontal upper perspective view of a livestock identification device in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an arm being a component of the clamping means; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view through the mid-portion of the clamping means having the alternative arm embodiment of Figure 9 fitted therein and showing the clamping means engaged;

Figure 11 is an upper perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flag or tag means;

Figure 12 is a lower perspective view of the flag or tag means of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the flag or tag means of Figures 11 and 12 shown in a disassembled state; and Figure 14 is an end view of the flag or tag means of Figures 11 to 13 shown fitted to the mid-portion of the clamping means without the pair of arms fitted thereto. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a livestock identification device 10 comprising a clamping means 12 and a flag or tag means, for example a tab 14. The tab 14 is able to have provided thereon a message, for identification for example a series of numerals 16.

The clamping means 12 has an elongate mid-portion 18 defining therein a slot 20, a central channel 22 and a lower channel 24, as can be best seen in Figures 3 and 4. The slot 20 has a narrow mouth 26 thereto, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The clamping means 12 further comprises a pair of arms 28. Each arm 28 comprises a spigot 30, a seat 32 and a hooked portion 34. The spigot 30 of each arm 28 is proportioned to be received within the central channel 22 of the mid-portion 18.

The arms 28 may either be unengaged as shown in Figure 3 or engaged as shown in

Figures 1,2 and 4. The spigot 30 of each arm 28 terminates in a toothed portion 36, the toothed portions 36 of the arms 28 being complimentary such that when fully engaged the toothed portions 36 abut completely and engage, as shown in Figure 4, within the central channel 22.

In the engaged position, the seat 32 of each arm 28 abuts the mid-portion 18 and is received in part therein, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The hooked portion 34 of each arm 28 terminates in a rounded end portion 38. When in the engaged position, the rounded end portions 38 of each arm 28 abut and are tensioned against each other, as is best seen in Figure 2.

One arm 28 has provided therein a temperature sensing means comprising a temperature sensor 40, a contact 42 and a means of electrical communication therebetween, best seen in Figures 3 and 7 . The sensor 40 is provided in the rounded end portion 38 of the arm 28 whilst the contact 42 is provided on the seat 32 of the arm 28, as can be seen in Figure 3. The contact 42 is arranged so as to engage a further contact 44 provided on an electronic monitoring component 46 when the arm 28 is in the engaged position, as is seen in Figure 4.

The monitoring component 46 is receivable within the lower channel 24 and contains a transponder means (not shown). The means of electrical communication between the contact 42 and the sensor 40 may pass through and/or along the hooked portion 34 of the arm 28. The tab 14 comprises an upper panel 48 having a front face 50 and a rear face 52, an elongate bulbous lower edge 54 and a narrow neck portion 56, best seen in Figure 3. The neck portion 56 joins the panel 48 and the lower edge 54.

The bulbous lower edge 54 of the tab 14 is able to be retained in the slot 20 with the neck portion 56 located in the mouth 26 of the slot 20. The lower edge 54 may be slid in and out of the slot 20 when one or both of the arms 28 are not received in the mid-portion 18 but may not be removed when the arms 28 are in the engaged position, as shown in Figure 4.

The rear face 52 has a plurality of spacing means', for example vertical ribs 57 formed thereon defining spaces therebetween on which the numerals 16 may be applied. Consequently, it is desirable that the material forming the tab 14 be transparent. It is envisaged that a variety of coloured inserts may be placed against the rear face 52 over the numerals 16. This would further reduce abrasive forces on the numerals 16 and allow greater variety in identification of livestock. The hooked portion 34 of each arm 28 is proportioned and arranged such that an acute angle 58 is provided therein. The acute angle 58 increases the strength of each arm 28. In Figures 5,6 and 7 is shown the livestock identification device 10 during and after fitting to the nose/muzzle 60 of an animal 62. The nose/muzzle 60 comprises a pair of nostrils 64, median septum 66 and nasal cavities 68. In Figures 5 and 6 arrow 70 indicates the direction of pressure required to be applied to the arm 28 to engage the arms 28 with the median septum 66 of the nose/muzzle 60.

When engaged each arm 28 projects into a different nostril 64 to abut the median septum

66 through the rounded end portions 38, as is best seen in Figure 7. The sensor 40 is positioned on the rounded end portion 38 of the arm such that it is in direct contact with the median septum 66 when engaged.

The mid-portion 18 of the clamping means 12 rests on and abuts a top lip 72 of the animal

62. This action ensures the tab 14 is located in a substantially upright and legible position, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 8 there is shown a livestock identification device 80. The livestock identification device 80 is substantially similar to the livestock identification device 10 and like numerals denote like parts.

The clamping means 12 comprises the elongate mid-portion 18 and a pair of arms 82.

The arms 82 comprise the spigot 30, the seat 32 and an enlarged hooked portion 84. The arms 82 do not have a temperature sensing means provided therein.

Thumb grips 86 are provided at a suitable position on the arms 82 so that a user (not shown) may apply pressure thereto during fitting to an animal.

The arms 82 do not terminate in a rounded end portion 38 as do the arms 28. The arms

82 terminate in an offset flange 88. The hooked portion 84 of each arm 82 is proportioned so as to overlap during fitting to an animal to adopt the arrangement shown in Figure 8.

A space 90 is provided between the flanges 88 to allow for some play in the hooked portions 84. The offset nature of the flanges 88 aids their passage past each other during fitting to an animal but ensures once fitted they do not pull apart without specific manipulation in a particular manner by a user.

It is envisaged that one of the arms 28 or 82 may be formed integrally with the mid-portion 18 without substantially altering the structure or method of operation of the present invention. In Figure 9 there is shown an arm 100 which is an alternative embodiment to the arm 28 of Figure 1 to 7. The arm 100 is substantially similar to the arm 28 and like numerals denote like parts.

The hooked portion 34 of each arm 100 terminates in a flexibly resilient portion 102. The flexibly resilient portion 102 comprises a folded strip 104 having an outermost face 106.

The spigot 30 of each arm 100 terminates in an engagement means 108 comprising an elongate member having a toothed surface 110 and a substantially flat surface 112. The surface 112 has provided thereon a raised stud 114.

The engagement means 108 projects from the remainder of the spigot 30 through a narrow neck portion 116.

The spigot 30 of each arm 100 has provided a raised tongue 117 on its surface opposite the hooked portion 34. The tongue extends from the seat 32 partially along the spigot 30 towards the engagement means 108.

In Figure 10, there is shown the arms 100 engaged within the central channel 22 of the mid-portion 18. The toothed surfaces 110 of the engagement means' are positively engaged. This positive engagement is aided by the raised stud 114 of each engagement means 108 abutting the wall of the central channel 22 and forcing the toothed surfaces

110 together.

In Figures 11 to 14 there is shown a flag or tag means, for example a tab 120. The tab 120 performs substantially the same function as the tab 14.

The tab 120 comprises a forward portion 122, an intermediate label portion 124 and a rear portion 126, best seen in Figure 13.

The forward portion 122 has a lowermost edge 128 having located thereat a series of semi-circular projections 130. A ridge 132 is provided spaced apart from, but substantially parallel with the series of projections 130. Both the ridge 132 and the projections 130 project forwardly of the forward portion 122.

The forward portion 122 -further has an extended outer lip 134 projecting rearwardly from the periphery thereof and covering partly the rear of the forward portion 122, as can be seen in Figures 12 and 13. The lip 134 does not project from the lowermost edge 128. The rear portion 126 has a lowermost edge 136 having located thereat a series of semi¬ circular projections 138. The projections 138 project rearwardly of the rear portion 122. The intermediate label portion 124 and a flag portion 140 of the rear portion 126 are able to be received under the lip 134 of the forward portion 122 as can be seen in Figure 12 and 13.

The projections 130 and 138 of the forward portion 122 and rear portion 126 respectively form an elongate bulbous lower edge 142 to the tab 120. This lower edge 142 is the equivalent to the elongate bulbous lower edge 54 of the tab 14. The lower edge 142 of the tab 120 is separated from the remainder of the tab 120 by a narrow neck portion 144, best seen in Figures 11,12 and 14.

The label portion 124 is held between the forward portion 124 and rear portion 126. The label portion 124 may have a message applied thereto for identification purposes. As such, the forward portion 124 is preferably transparent as is the rear portion 126 thereby allowing any message applied to the label portion 124 to be read. Such a message may comprise a series of numerals and/or letters. It is also envisaged that the label portion could be provided in varying colours, which colours may be assigned a particular significance by a user. In Figure 14 is shown the tab 120 in position on a mid-portion 150. The mid-portion 150 is substantially similar to the mid-portion 18 and like numerals denote like parts. The elongate bulbous lower edge 142 of the tab 120 is received within the slot 20 and the narrow neck portion 144 passes through the narrow mouth 26. A ridge 152 is provided on a rear face 154 of the mid-portion 150 adjacent the narrow mouth 26. Contact between the ridge 152 and the ridge 132 of the tab 120 ensures the tab 120 cannot be inserted into the mid-portion 150 in an incorrect orientation.

The mid-portion 150 has provided therein adjacent the central channel 22 at each end thereof a slot 156. The slots 156 are provided to accept the tongue 117 provided on arms 100, as described hereinabove. The provision of the tongue 117 and the slot 156 ensure the arms 100 cannot be inserted in an incorrect orientation.

In use, a user (not shown) wishing to attach the livestock identification device 10 to the animal 62 will take the livestock identification device 10 having at the most one arm 28 with its spigot 30 received entirely within the central channel 22 although preferably with both spigots 30 partially received therein as shown in Figure 5. The remaining arm 28 or both arms 28 may have their spigots 30 only partially received within the central channel 22. In addition, the bulbous lower edge 54 of the tab 14 is slid into position within the slot 20 from an end of the mid-portion by the user. The narrow neck portion 56 is able to pass within the narrow mouth 26 of the slot 20. Still further, the user has ensured either that the desired numerals 16 have been applied to the rear face 52 of the upper panel 48 of the tab 14 or that he/she has selected the tab 14 bearing the desired numerals 16.

With the arms 28 and the tab 14 in such a configuration, the livestock identification device 10 may be positioned in the nose 60 of the animal 62 such that the median septum 66 of the nose 60 is located between the rounded end portions 38 of the arms 28, as shown in Figure 7.

The user may then apply pressure to each arm 28 so as to push the or each spigot 30 further into the central channel 22 as indicated by arrow 70 in Figures 5 and 6. As such, the spigots 30 will move towards each other so that the toothed portion 36 of each spigot 30 abut and engage with the other. Consequently, the spigots 30 of the arms 28 may not be removed from this engaged position without damaging the toothed portions 36. As such, once the livestock identification device 10 is in the engaged position on an animal 62 the livestock identification device 10 may not be removed and re-used. With the arms 28 in the engaged position described above the tab 14 cannot be removed from the mid-portion 18. In particular, the bulbous lower edge 54 cannot be slid from within the slot 20 due to it being held therein at each end by the seat 32 of each arm 28. further, the bulbous lower edge 54 cannot be pulled through the narrow moth 26 of the slot 20 without irretrievably damaging the tab 14. Once the spigots 30 of the arms 28 are inserted into the central channel 22 as far as possible until they abut and fully engage the rounded end portions 38 of the hook portions 34 of the arms 28 grip the median septum 66 of the nose 60. If the arm 100 of Figure 9 is utilised the median septum 66 is gripped by the outermost face 106 of the flexibly resilient portion 102.

When fitted to the nose 60 of the animal 62 as described hereinabove, the mid-portion 18 abuts the top lip 72 of the animal 62. The abutting action of the mid-portion 18 helps in positioning the upper panel 48 of the tab 14 in a substantially upright position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The use of the mid-portion 150 and tab 120 of Figure 14 achieves this same objective.

The addition of the arms 100 instead of the arms 28 as part of the clamping means does not particularly alter the manner of use of the livestock identification device 10. However, the narrow neck portion 116 of the engagement means 108 does allow a determined user of the livestock identification device 10 to loosen it enough by pulling on the arms 100 to remove the device 10 from an animal by deformation of the narrow neck portion 116 through stretching. But the arms 100 once deformed in this manner will not be able to be utilised again.

The engagement means 108 may be able to achieve a greater positive engagement between the arms 100 than is possible with the arms 28. -Any removal of the arms 100 or the arms 82 requires a deliberate action by a user and requires an outward pressure or pulling pressure to be applied to the or each arm 82 or 100.

The tongue 117 provided on the spigot 30 of the arms 100 is received within the complimentary slot 156 provided in the inner surface of the central channel 22. This slot 156 is provided only in a position that will allow full penetration of the spigot 30 into the channel 22 with the arms 100 oriented correctly. That is, with the hooked portions 34 projecting rearwardly of the mid-portion 150.

The length of the tongue 117 will not allow a pair of incorrectly oriented arms 100 to engage as the tongue 117 abuts the mid-portion 150 and does not let the spigots 30 penetrate sufficiently within the channel 22. It is envisaged that such a raised tongue 117 may also be provided on the arms 28 and 82 and that a complimentary slot may be provided in the channel 22 of the mid-portion 18 if so desired. As described hereinabove in relation to the tab 14, arms 28 and mid-portion 18 the arms 100 once in an engaged state also do not allow removal of the tab 120 from the mid- portion 150. In particular, the bulbous lower edge 142 of the tab 120 cannot be slid from within the slot 20 due to it being held therein at each end by the seat 32 of each arm 100. Further, the bulbous lower edge 142 cannot be pulled through the narrow moth 26 of the slot 20 without irretrievably damaging the tab 120. As such, the label portion 124 of the tab 120 cannot be removed when the arms 100 are in the engaged or "locked" state without irretrievable damage to the tab 120 or clamping means 12. Accordingly, any message applied to the label portion 124 cannot be altered without irretrievable damage to the tab 120 or clamping means 12. In the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, the numerals 16 are easily visible to an observer (not shown). In particular, the numerals 16 are clear to the observer when the animal 62 to which the livestock identification device 10 is fitted is looking directly at the observer. As discussed hereinabove, the livestock identification device 10 cannot be removed from the animal 62 without damage to the toothed portions 36 of the spigots 30. It is envisaged, that the animal 62 will not be readily able to remove the livestock identification device 10 because of the sensitivity of the nose 60. Any pulling or twisting action would be highly uncomfortable and would prevent any such activity being continued by the animal 62. In this manner, the livestock identification device 10 of the present invention overcomes the common problem of dislodgement found with many ear tags. With the livestock identification device 10 being provided in the nose 60 of the animal 62, the animal 62 is still individually identifiable after slaughtering. The nose 60 is not detached from the body of the animal 62 when the hide is removed. Accordingly, such a form of livestock identification is advantageous when considering progeny testing or disease control during the slaughtering process. For example, it may be possible to electronically transfer an identification number or bar code from the tab 14 to combine with the standard measures taken during slaughtering, such as back fat thickness, butt shape and weight. This would allow the owner of the animal 62 to maintain accurate records and provide an easy method of comparison within a large number of variables. It is envisaged that the livestock identification device 10 may be formed from polypropylene. The advantage of this material is that it is both soft and unable to be glued. This provides the advantage of not being able to be repaired if the livestock identification device 10 is removed from the animal 62 by an unauthorised person. It is further envisaged that the tab 14 should be flexible as this is required to prevented snagging thereof on various objects such as fences and the like. The fact that the numerals 16 are applied to the rear face 52 of the upper panel 48 of the tab 14 is beneficial as the raised vertical ribs 57 prevent abrasion against the rear face 52 and thereby prevent the numerals 16 previously applied to the rear face 52 from being removed therefrom. The monitoring component 46 housed within the lower channel 24 of the mid-portion 18 is able to receive electronic indication of the temperature of the animals 62 through the temperature sensor 14 and the contact 42. This monitoring component 46 may also comprise a means allowing electronic identification of individual animals. As such, the electronic monitoring component 46 will allow the animals being monitored to be filed past a stationary receiver at least once every day during which information stored in the electronic monitoring system is transferred to the stationary receiver. Further, the electronic monitoring component 46 may incorporate a passive identification readable only when passing the animal having the livestock identification device 10 fitted thereto through a scanning device. Alternatively, the electronic monitoring component 46 may incorporate an active transmitter or transponder whose signal is readable at a remote reading station. The battery required by such an electronic monitoring component 46 may be of the lithium variety having an active life of greater than 12 months. The information transferred to a stationary or remote receiver in a manner described hereinabove will be interpreted in a predetermined manner by the receiver through appropriate software contained therein. The receiver distinguishes between normal and abnormal temperature variations, including those that indicate a likely pregnancy. The user may retrieve data from the stationary or remote receiver either through a printer that may be provided thereon or through a link with a suitable computer. As discussed hereinabove, each livestock identification device 10 may have individually identifiable electronic monitoring therein. This allows identification of individual animals 62 and their body heat changes through the stationary or remote receiver. The livestock identification device 10 having the temperature sensor 40 provided therein provides a way in which information may be obtained from an animal 62 in relation to changes in its body temperature. Such changes are believed to correspond to sporadic hormonal surges during an animal's breeding cycle which, in a cow for example is a 3-weekly breeding cycle. This information can be used to determine the optimum timing for either natural exposure to a male animal, artificial insemination, synchronisation of heat and embryo flushing or transfer.

The tab 120 of Figures 11 to 14 functions in much the same way as tab 14 other than the fact that the label portion 124 bearing the identification message (and any other desired message) is held between the forward portion 122 and rear portion 126. This arrangement protects the message from abrasioa Also, the receiving of the bulbous lower edge 142 within the slot 20 prevents the accidental loss or deliberate removal of the label portion 124 therefrom when the arms 100 are in the engaged or "locked" state. The livestock identification device 80 has the arms 82 thereof proportioned such that the device 80 may be fitted to the ankle (not shown) of an animal. In fitting the livestock identification device 80 as shown in Figure 8 to the ankle of an animal, the operation by a user of the arms 82 is substantially the same as that described herein previously for the livestock identification device 10. However, the arms 82 do not grip anything therebetween as was described for the median septum 66 of the nose 60 of the animal 62. The arms 82 simply surround and enclose therebetween the ankle of a leg of the animal as described hereinbefore. The operation of the spigots 30 in the livestock identification device 80 in not allowing removal thereof from the engaged position is the same as described herein previously for the livestock identification device 10. The arrangement of the flanges 88 and gap 90 therebetween when fitted does allow some play in the arms 82 although the livestock identification device 80 should not be able to be removed from the ankle without irreversible damage to the spigots 30 of the arms 82. However, it is not expected that a temperature sensing means be incorporated into the livestock identification device 80 as described herein previously for the livestock identification device 10.

The arms 28 are envisaged to be most suitable for fitting to young or newborn animals 62 whereas the arms 100 having the flexibly resilient portion 102 are envisaged as also being suitable for fitting to older animals 62. The livestock identification device 10 and 80 of the present invention provides a substantially reliable method of identifying livestock by minimising opportunity for the accidental or deliberate loss or alteration of the message carried thereby. Any deliberate removal or alteration of the message carried by the livestock identification device 10 or 80 will generally leave the device 10 or 80 in a irretrievably damaged state. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A livestock identification device characterised by a clamping means having two substantially opposed arms between or within which the median septum of an animal's nose muzzle or the leg of an animal may be engaged and a mid-portion from which a tag means is at least in part substantially upstanding, the mid-portion proportioned at least in part to rest upon the animal's upper lip or leg and ensure that the tag means is substantially upstanding for identification.

2. A livestock identification device according to claim 1, characterised in that one or both of the arms are receivable in part within the mid-portion of the clamping means and are movable from an unengaged state to an engaged state.

3. A livestock identification device according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one of the two arms has a spigot receivable within the mid-portion of the clamping means, that spigot being capable of engagement with the other arm or with the mid-portion to create the engaged state thereof.

4. A livestock identification device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that both arms have a spigot portion having a terminal toothed portion receivable within a channel in the mid-portion whereby pressure applied to the arms forces them into an engaged positioned wherein the toothed portions of each spigot fully engage and from which engaged position it is not possible to disengage the spigots without damaging the toothed portion.

5. A livestock identification device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that they tag means is removably received in part in the mid-portion, whereby when the or each arm is in the unengaged state the tag means may be received in or removed from the mid-portion and that when the or each arm is moved to the engaged state the tag means is held in its received position in the mid-portion.

6. A livestock holding device according to claim 5, characterised in that the tag means is received in the mid-portion through an edge thereof engaging a slot provided in the mid-portion when the or each arm is in the unengaged position, whereby the lower edge

7. A livestock identification device according to claim 1, characterised in that the arms of the clamping means comprise a spigot portion receivable within the mid-portion, a base portion and a hooked portion, wherein the hooked portion is bent at an acute angle part way along its length.

8. A livestock identification device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a rounded end portion is provided at an end portion of each arm, between which the median septum of an animal's nose/muzzle may be engaged.

9. A livestock identification device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that a temperature sensor is provided in the hooked portion of the or each arm, the temperature sensor being electrically communicable with an electronic monitoring component provided in the mid-portion of the clamping means.

10. A livestock identification device according to claim 9, characterised in that the temperature sensor is provided in the end portion of the or each arm such that the sensor abuts the median septum of the animal's nose/muzzle.

11. A livestock identification device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the electronic monitoring component is capable either of transmitting information relating to the identity and temperature of an animal to which the device is fitted to a remote receiver of that information or of having that information read therefrom by a stationary scanning device.

12. A livestock identification device according to claim 4, characterised in that the arms of the clamping means comprise a spigot portion receivable within the mid-portion, a base portion from which the spigot portion extends and a hooked portion, the spigot portion having provided thereon a raised tongue to be received within a complimentary slot provided in the mid-portion such that an undesired orientation of the spigot within the mid-portion will not be possible through abutting of the tongue with the mid-portion.

13. A livestock identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that a flexibly resilient means is provided at an end of each arm, between which the median septum of an animal's nose/muzzle may be engaged. median septum of an animal's nose/muzzle may be engaged.

14. A livestock identification device according to claim 13, characterised in that the flexibly resilient means comprises a folded strip formed integrally with the arm.

15. A livestock identification device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the tag means further comprising an upper panel upon which a form of visual identification may be applied and a lower edge adapted to allow removable location in a slot in the mid-portion.

16. A livestock identification device according to claim 15, characterised in that the upper panel of the tag means has the form of visual identification applied to a rear face thereof, the rear face having provided thereon spacing means to prevent abrasion of the form of visual identification applied to the rear face.

17. A livestock identification device according to claim 16, characterised in that the form of visual identification comprises either numerals, letters, symbols or a combination thereof and a coloured backing material is applied to the rear face of the upper panel to enclose the form of visual identification.

18. A livestock identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the tag means comprises a forward portion, label portion and rear portion which are capable of interlocking and have their lower edge adapted to allow removable location in a slot in the mid-portion.

19. A livestock identification device according to claim 18, characterised in that the label portion is held between the forward and rear portions protecting same from abrasion and alteration, the label portion having an identification message of some form applied thereto and the forward portion at least being transparent.

20. A livestock identification device according to claim 18 or 19 characterised in that the lower edge of the tag means is received within the slot of the mid-portion, whereby the or each arm being moved into the engaged state prevents the tag means from being removed from the mid-portion without damaging the arms, the label portion of the tag means not being removable therefrom when the tag means is received in the mid-portion thereby preventing removal, loss or alteration of the label portion once the or each arm is moved into the engaged state without damaging the arms or tag means.

21. A method for monitoring the reproductive cycle in livestock characterised by the fitting of a livestock identification device to the nose/muzzle of the livestock to be monitored and directing the livestock past, through or within range of a receiver as desired, the livestock identification device being capable or recording data in relation to the livestock's body heat and transferring that data to the receiver upon passing the receiver or coming within range thereof, whereby a user is able to determine from the receiver the stage of the reproductive cycle of each livestock member.