An animal health monitoring system includes a plurality of animal tag assemblies configured for being disposed on members of an animal population, each of the animal tag assemblies including one or more sensors configured to measure one or more animal characteristics of a member of the animal population. The system includes a concentrator communicatively coupled to the plurality of animal tag assemblies and configured to acquire one or more animal characteristics from the plurality of animal tag assemblies. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the concentrator and configured to receive the acquired one or more animal characteristics from the plurality of animal tag assemblies from the concentrator, determine a health state of one or more of the members of the animal population based on the received one or more animal characteristics and report the determined health state to one or more user devices.

The invention relates to a kit of parts comprising a collecting device for collecting a tissue sample and a storage tube for storing the tissue sample therein. The collecting device comprises a punch and a plunger located within a bore of the punch and being adapted to slide within the bore. The storage tube comprises a tube body having an open first end, a closed second end, and a cap located at the first end of the tube body, the cap having a breakable seal that extends across the body of the tube to seal the first end of the tube body. The collecting device is adapted to break the seal of the cap and to fill the resulting opening to close off the storage tube.

The invention relates to a tissue sampler for taking samples of tissue from animal's or plants. The tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage tube in which a tissue sample is to be placed and to hold a magazine comprising one or more collecting devices. Each collecting device comprises a punch for cutting a tissue sampler and a plunger for pushing the tissue sample into the storage tube. The magazine can be moved after each tissue sample is taken so that a fresh collection device is ready to take the next tissue sample. The invention also relates to a magazine comprising a plurality of collecting devices for use with the tissue sampler.

An animal identification system includes: a tray defining a set of tag receptacles; a set of tags, each tag defining a tag base and a barb and located in a tag receptacle in the tray; a set of backing plates, each backing plate defining a receiver and located in a tag receptacle in the tray with the receiver coaxial with a barb of a corresponding tag occupying the tag receptacle; and an applicator configured to insert into a tag receptacle in the tray, to retrieve a tag and a backing plate from the tag receptacle while maintaining a receiver of the backing plate coaxial with a barb of the tag, and to pierce an appendage of an animal and assemble the backing plate onto the barb of the tag in a continuous actuation motion.

One variation of a system includes a tag including a panel defining an inner face; an outer face opposite the inner face and comprising a digital optical identifier; and a set of perforations interposed between the digital optical identifier and a perimeter of the panel; a tag housing molded around the perimeter of the panel and through the set of perforations in the panel; defining a body supporting the inner face of the panel; defining a rim extending from the body, encasing an edge of the panel; extending through the set of perforations in the panel; and extending over the set of perforations in the panel; and a barb extending from the body opposite the rim; a backing plate configured to receive the barb of the tag housing; and an applicator configured to drive the barb through an ear of an animal and into the backing plate.

The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.

A tag for an animal is disclosed. The tag comprises a first part for permanently attaching to a part of the animal and a second, removeable part for removably attaching to the first part. The first and second parts are arranged such that the second part is releasably securable to the first part.

An ear tagging station includes a cart or table having at least one tagging pliers mounted thereon. The pliers have jaws which are normally open to receive male and female tag parts. An actuating arm engages one of the plier handles. A foot pedal on the cart is depressed to lift the arm and thereby close the plier jaws so as to secure the ear tag to a piglet's ear.

Improvements in devices for animals, such as animal tag applicators, animal tissue sample extractors, and animal puncture devices, comprising: a first body portion comprising: a first jaw portion configured to engage a first portion of an animal tag; a first handle portion; and a first central portion between the first jaw portion and the first handle portion; a second body portion comprising: a second jaw portion configured to engage a second portion of an animal tag; a second handle portion; and a second central portion between the second jaw portion and the second handle portion; and a clamp bush configured to retain the first central portion and the second central portion together; wherein an outer face of the first central portion comprises a border around an outer edge of the outer face of the first central portion and the outer face of the second central portion comprises a border around an outer edge of the outer face of the first central portion.

The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.