We are already aware of the fact that diseases such as mad cow and hoof and mouth are threat to our world and in order to deal with this situation IBM and Tek Vet have introduced an RFID based early warning system. Developed over a period of three years this would certainly boost the future of the technology which always seems to be getting the stick. An active RFID tag is inserted into the years of animals which then collects and transmits information about the whereabouts and health of the animal. The body temperature of the animal could be known as it conveys about its health. Also the ovulation cycle of the female could be known easily. What else one could also get to know the kinds of feeds that an animal is eating as the type of milk they produce depends upon the types of feed that animal consumes.

Currently passive tags are being employed which are not that effective because in case the animal is ill it might not go near the sensors and you may not get the required information. With the active tags being introduced the data of the animal with regard to its location, temperature and herd data can be collected and sent through private satellite to IBM's hosting facility where the information is processed and then this information is sent to TekVet which distributes the information to its customers via the internet.

I hope this would give some peace of mind to animal owners and non vegetarians.