Abstract—Livestock Identification & Traceability (I&T) systems are evolving throughout the world in light of technology advancement. Specifically in China, pig I&T systems are in the midst of transformation. While several obstacles have impeded the desired development of the current two dimensional bar code ear tag system, other more advanced systems are tempted for replacement. Since there is no clear-cut rule for an optimal choice, evaluation can be made to assist in selecting the appropriate one. This study adapted the state-transition simulation model to evaluate the systems in respect of contagious disease control. Preliminary results have shown the superiority of more advanced systems in disease control. More importantly, the simulation results have revealed several conditions in which advancement of I&T systems play a more vital role. The adapted evaluation model can be a useful tool in making optimal decisions, preferably if it is refined with more practical assumptions and specific considerations. 
 

Index Terms—livestock identification & traceability system, pig identification & traceability system in China, evaluation model, contagious disease control, state-transition model

Cite: Xueni Gou and Robert Lee Kong Tiong, "Evaluation of Livestock I&T System in Respect of Contagious Disease Control Based on Adapted State-Transition Simulation Model," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1-9, March 2016. Doi: 10.18178/joaat.3.1.1-9