DATAMARS COLLARTAG Radio Control Collar Tag User Guide
- June 6, 2024
- DATAMARS
Table of Contents
Attaching Tags Quickstart Guide
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to detail the necessary steps and key points
for fitting of Datamars activity monitoring collar tags and ear tags.
Products covered
Tools required
There are no tools required to fit collar tags. Ears tags require the following tools:
-
Z2 no tear tagger™
-
Z2 male tag (one per ear tag to be attached)
-
Sterilising solution – such as Nolvasan, Vetericyn, or an iodine solution.
Risk Management
Extreme care and caution must be exercised when attaching tags and collars
to cows.
Use two people to attach tags and collars and utilize appropriate equipment
and locations while attaching to minimize risk to people and animals, e.g.
head bails, treatments stalls.
Collar Tag Setup
Attaching collars
It is important to fit the tags to cows as soon as possible to start recording
information on cow activity.
This information is needed to provide a baseline of activity for each animal
and group. This baseline is then used to provide animal insights in the
future. The baseline activity collection typically takes between 4 and 7 days.
Figure 1: Collar fitted with Collar tag, weight (and also ear tag attached at
buckle)
To apply the tag:
-
Collars have been functionally validated and switched to the correct operational mode prior to shipping.
-
Record the number on the rear of the collar tag, and the Visual ID of the cow that the collar will be installed on (record this information as it will be needed later to complete the setup on the Datamars Livestock information portal).
Figure 2 Collar ID on rear of collar tag -
Stand on the right side of the cow and hold the collar by the buckle. Reach over the cow’s neck and hang over the far side of the cow. Reach below the neck and hold the end of the collar (with holes) and lift up to the buckle. Fasten the buckle.
Pay attention to; the correct amount of slack (two fingers at the top of the
cow’s neck); and that the tag is placed directly behind the cow’s left ear.
Correct positioning of the collar tag is critical for performance. Collar tags
that are placed too high on the cow or too low on the cow will result in
inaccurate data collection.
To position the tag:
- When the collar tag is correctly positioned, slide the weight so that it hangs vertically downwards at the lowest point on the collar.
Removal of Collars
In the event that a collar needs to be removed from a cow, please follow the
steps below.
- Unbuckle the collar.
- Hold collar by the buckle and allow the free end to drop.
- Lift the collar by the buckle away from the left side of the cow and then up and over her neck.
Ear Tag Setup
Attaching Ear tags
It is important to fit the tags to cows as soon as possible to start recording
information on cow activity.
This information is needed to provide a baseline of activity for each animal
and group. This baseline is then used to provide animal insights in the
future. The baseline activity collection typically takes between 4 and 7 days.
To attach the ear tag please follow the steps below.
-
Ear tags have been functionally validated and switched to the correct operational mode prior to shipping.
-
Record the number on the rear of the ear tag and the visual ID of the cow that the ear tag will be installed on.
-
Fit ear tag and male to the Z2 no tear tagger™ as follows:
-
Depress the metal clamp holder and place the ear tag under the clamp.
-
Push the male tag full onto the tagger pin.
Figure 3 Z2 tagger with ear tag and male fitted
You can view a video on use of the tagger at https://youtu.be/TKcMa4zOJrg -
Immerse the loaded Z2 tagger in sterilizing solution.
-
Position the tag between the two main cartilages, approximately halfway between the animal’s head and the tip of the ear.
If the ear tag is too close to the cow’s head, then its range of motion may be
limited by catching on the ear.
If there is already a tag in the cow’s ear, then place the ear tag as close to
the mid-point as possible.
ALWAYS APPLY THE MALE TAG IN THE BACK OF THE EAR.
- Squeeze the handles firmly and hold closed. When the tags have locked together, the tagger arm flicks and releases the tag preventing ripped ears.
- To remove the tagger, pull straight down from the cow’s ear in one smooth motion – no need to open the handles.
Figure 4 Ear tag attached next to NAIT tag
How to remove ear tags
In the event that an ear tag needs to be removed then follow the steps below.
- Grasp the ear of the cow firmly.
- Using the ear tag removal tool, slip the blade of the tool between the base of the small male side and the ear.
- Pull the tool firmly and quickly to cut through the shaft of the small male pin and remove the ear tag from the cow.
- Make sure to clean the ear tag removal tool between uses.
Figure 5 Z-Tags Multi-Cutter ear tag removal tool
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- this device may not cause harmful interference, and
- this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device must be used in such a way that a separation distance of at least
20 cm (8”) is normally maintained between the device and the body of any
nearby person.
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Attaching Tags Quickstart Guide
Radio parameters:
Max. RF Power +10dBm (CE)
RF bands: 2.402 GHz – 2.48 GHz