4.2 Million Yaks Equipped with “Electronic IDs” Gannan Smart Pastures Enable Full-Chain Traceability

In the Li Qieru Yak breeding base in Luqu County, Gansu Province, herdsman Qieyang Jiacuo simply tapped the screen of his mobile phone, and the locations, immunization records and growth files of 83 yaks were clearly presented. The smart ear tags on each yak’s ears, like their own “electronic ID cards”, are accelerating the transition from traditional animal husbandry where “cattle and sheep follow water and grass” to a smart era where “data follows cattle and sheep”.​This transformation originated from the high-quality development big data management platform for yaks constructed by Gannan Branch of China Telecom. In response to the pain points of highland animal husbandry such as “scattered management, difficult traceability and low premium”, this platform deeply integrates Internet of Things technology with traditional animal husbandry: the smart ear tag is equipped with a biochip and QR code, automatically collecting the movement trajectory, body temperature and immunity information of yaks, and uploading it to the cloud in real time through 5G network. The back-end system builds a traceability system from the grassland to the dining table in accordance with the standards of “recorded production, traceable flow, and accountable responsibility”. In the past, when selling cattle, one had to take them to the market to compare prices. Now, buyers are willing to pay an extra 500 yuan per head just by looking at the data on the ear tags. Qieyang Jiacuo’s words expressed the feelings of the herdsmen.
The application of smart ear tags has completely activated the value of the industrial chain. At the store of Gansu Anduo Halal Green Food Co., LTD., consumers can scan the product QR code to trace the yak’s breeding farm, quarantine report and slaughtering time. Traditional whole-head sales of beef and mutton cannot enter the high-end market. With the traceability data, the premium of the gift box set has reached 30%. Store manager De Maocao introduced that precise traceability has upgraded “Gannan Yak” from a regional specialty to a geographical indication brand. Li 暅, the deputy general manager of Gannan Branch of China Telecom, said that the platform has achieved data intercommunication among breeding, epidemic prevention, processing and sales, facilitating the transformation of the livestock industry towards “green, efficient and brand-oriented”.
Technical adaptability is the key to high-altitude applications. The R&D team has optimized the ear tag material and communication module in response to the extreme environment of minus 30 degrees Celsius in Gannan, ensuring the stable operation of the equipment under strong ultraviolet rays and high-altitude conditions. Herdsmen no longer need to search for cattle all night long. The system can precisely locate them, and health warnings can also detect diseases in advance. Sangjik, a staff member of the base, said that smart management has reduced the labor cost of the ranch by 40% and increased the survival rate of yaks by 5 percentage points. At present, this model has been promoted throughout Gannan Prefecture and has become an important support for rural revitalization.
Industry experts point out that the Gannan Smart Pasture model provides a model for the transformation of plateau animal husbandry. By adopting a combination of “technology + brand + traceability”, not only have the management pain points of traditional breeding been addressed, but also the added value of products has been enhanced through data empowerment, opening up a new path for the development of characteristic industries in remote areas.