Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 11

Individual feedlot beef cattle identification represents a critical component in cattle traceability in the supply food chain. It also provides insights into tracking disease trajectories, ascertaining ownership, and managing cattle production and distribution. Historically, cattle identification relied on conventional methods such as ear cutting, hot iron branding, tattooing, ear notching, and manual sketching of coat colour patterns for registration purposes. However, many of these traditional techniques do not align with animal welfare standards, often causing stress to animals. In addition, they are prone to inaccuracy, poor durability, and potential loss or damage. This review provides a comprehensive examination of cattle identification through nose (muzzle) prints, a highly promising biometric application. It delves into the unique dermatoglyphic patterns of bovine muzzles, comparing their inherent uniqueness. The report traces the evolution of identification methodologies from traditional, often invasive, physical impression techniques to advanced digital approaches leveraging sophisticated image processing, machine learning, and deep learning algorithms. Deep learning image models taken with a mirrorless digital camera and processed to form the dataset will be of great significance in muzzle identification with 98.7% accuracy. It highlights the significant advantages of muzzle print biometrics, including their non-invasive nature, contribution to animal welfare, and high accuracy in diverse applications such as disease control, traceability, and theft prevention. Furthermore, the review explores the challenges in real-world implementation, particularly concerning environmental factors and animal movement, and projects future advancements, emphasising the synergistic integration of muzzle print technology within broader smart farming ecosystems encompassing the Internet of Things (IoT), predictive analytics, and blockchain. The major concern was on the proper identification of cattle for registration and of cattle on an official test so that the possibility of swapping, false insurance claims and ownership disputes can be guarded against. This technique will certainly help in livestock census to avoid duplication and also be helpful in geographical tagging of specific breeds, as no two breeds have the same nose muzzle pattern, and it can be compared to human fingerprints.