Is Tracking Cattle Via RFID Expensive?

It would be difficult to provide an average cost for an RFID system, since price depends on many factors. It’s a bit like asking the average cost for outfitting a company with computers—it depends on the firm’s size, the type of computers being used and so forth.

In general, farmers typically install a fixed reader near a choke point at which cows enter a barn for milking, or a field for grazing. One gate reader would likely cost between $3,000 and $5,000, including installation. Setting up a battery and a system to capture solar energy might double that price. Tags for animals would cost around $1 apiece, and you might also need to purchase a handheld interrogator for approximately $1,000.