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Glossary of Livestock EID terms

AHPA
The Animal Health Protection Act – authorization for the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out operations and measures to control or eradicate any pest or disease of livestock.
AIN
Animal Identification Number – unique 15-digit number assigned to each individual animal within the NAIS program.
Antenna
Part of the reader/scanner/ interrogator that radiates the radio frequency energy to, and receives energy from, the transponder. Antenna examples: plate, panel, hand held.
APHIS
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will oversee the implementation of the Animal Identification Number (AIN).
ATD
Animal Tracking Database – private databases used for the tracking and information gathering of all NAIS participants and animals.
ATPS
Animal Trace Processing System – USDA managed information technology platform used for security, electronic data transfer, and auditing processes in conjunction with the private ATD’s.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
BSE - Otherwise known as “Mad Cow Disease” is a chronic, degenerative disorder affecting the nervous system of cattle.
CA – Cooperative Agreement
Cooperative agreement between the APHIS animal trace processing system (ATPS) and the private animal tracking databases (ATD).
CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
Regulations defining the requirements of official identification devices used in the NAIS program.
Electronic Identification Tag (EID)
An animal identification device containing an electronic chip. Also referred to as a transponder/microchip/button tag/PIT tag; the use of light (bar codes) or radio frequency (RF) for identification; Transponder used to transmit data using a specified radio frequency. In order for the passive tag to transmit data it must be “excited” by the reader/scanner/interrogator using its induction of its magnetic field in return generating energy used to send the data.
EMI– Electro Magnetic Interference (noise)
Unwanted electrical signals found in the operating environment of RFID equipment that interferes with the transponders or readers normal operation.  The effect of interference (noise) can be seen in reduced system performance.
Frequency
The number of cycles a periodic signal executes in a unit time.  Usually expressed in Hertz (cycles/second) or appropriate weighted units such as kilohertz (kHz), Megahertz (MHz), and Gigahertz (GHz).
Full Duplex tag
An electronic tag whereby its signal is initiated immediately by the reader/scanner/interrogator and its ability to charge the transponder (tag).  This return signal is received repetitively and without interruption for as long as a continuous interrogation signal is maintained.
GIN – Group/lot Identification Number
Unique identification number assigned to a group of animals moved through the production chain as a group.
Half Duplex tag
An electronic tag whereas  its signal is initiated only after the reader/transponder/interrogator has “excited” its storage capacitor and that capacitor becomes fully charged within the transponder (tag).  The return signal is only sent once.
ICA – Interim Cooperative Agreement
Agreement between APHIS and all participating organizations in the NAIS program
ICA
Idaho Cattleman’s Association
ICAR – International Committee on Animal Recording
International committee developed to test and set performance requirements of devices used for AIN/GIN.
NAIS – National Animal Identification System
Cooperative State-Federal-Industry program administered by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
PIN – Premises Identification Number
Unique 7-digit identification number provided by the NAIS to all participating premises within the program.
PIT Tag
Passive Integrated Transponder Tag
Process Verification
The Ability to verify whether an animal has received a specific product or procedure as claimed by the producer.
Quality System Assessment Program – QSA
Program managed by the USDA to provide suppliers of agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products and services.
RFID - Radio Frequency Identification
Any electronic identification system comprising a reader/scanner/interrogator and a transponder that can read or write data content using a specified radio frequency.
Source Verification
The ability to verify the source of an animal as claimed by the owner or seller.
Traceabilty
The use of the USDA’s animal trace processing system (ATPS) for tracking an animal(s) movement.
Transceiver
The reader/scanner/interrogator device that is used to interrogate/read a transponder/tag.
  USAHA – U.S. Animal Health Association
Scientific, non-profit and volunteer organization committed to preventing, controlling and eliminating livestock diseases for the benefit of ranchers, farmers and consumers.
USAIO – U.S. Animal Identification Organization
Independent, non-profit consortium made up of cattle producers that have contracted with a private operated database manager that meets all NAIS requirements.