How you can enhance your farm efficiency with an EID reader
Modern farming needs smart tools, and an EID reader is one of the most practical investments an Irish farmer can make.
Whether you are managing cattle or sheep, an electronic tag reader removes the guesswork from daily tasks and helps you keep records accurate without the extra paperwork.
What is an EID reader?
An EID reader is a handheld electronic scanner that reads the electronic ear tags on your animals. Rather than recording tag numbers by hand, you simply scan each tag and the data transfers directly to your farm management software.
This speeds up everything from weighing animals to logging treatments and tracking movements across your herd or flock.
Not every farmer will need one, but if you are looking to cut down on admin time and reduce the risk of recording errors, an EID tag reader is well worth considering.
Top benefits of using an EID reader on farm
Better animal health monitoring
An EID reader lets you quickly pull up the full history of any animal. You can track movements, flag health concerns early, and keep on top of treatments and medicine administrations without having to search through paper records.
Faster disease detection
Spotting a potential health issue early can prevent it spreading through your herd or flock. With an electronic tag reader, you can identify unusual patterns in an animal’s history and act before the problem gets out of hand.
Improved record keeping and compliance
Accurate, up-to-date records are essential for regulatory compliance in Ireland. EID readers for cattle and sheep make it straightforward to maintain a clear, complete view of each animal’s lifecycle, from birth through to movement and beyond.
Which EID readers are compatible with Herdwatch?
Herdwatch is compatible with a range of leading EID readers. The following devices have been tested and approved for use with the app:
- Agrident AWR250 and AWR300
- Agrident APR250, APR450 and APR600
- Tru-Test SRS2 and XRS2
- Shearwell SDL440 Reader (Android only)
- Gallagher HR5 (Android only)
How to connect your EID reader to Herdwatch
Getting your reader connected to Herdwatch is straightforward. Follow the steps below to get set up:
- Open the Herdwatch app and tap the Bluetooth icon in the top right corner. Accept any Bluetooth permissions that appear.
- Tap on ‘Pair a new device’.
- Select your device from the list. Note that it can take up to a minute for your reader to appear.
- Your EID reader is now connected and ready to use.
How Herdwatch helps busy farmers
Thousands of Irish farmers are already using Herdwatch as their farm management software. Join over 21,000 farmers who have made the switch and sign up for your 30-day free trial.
Request a quote from our friendly team today.