Scanning tags: RFID, QR, NFC & EID readers

Scan an ear tag with the camera, a Bluetooth EID stick or NFC to instantly find an animal and act on it — including continuous scanning for whole races.

Available on Basic Updated 2026-07-12 · 6 min

Scanning is the fastest way into any record. Point Farmso at an ear tag — by camera (QR/barcode), NFC, or a Bluetooth EID stick reader — and it resolves the tag to the animal, batch or product, then offers the right actions. Every scan is logged as part of the chain of custody.

Use case

A worker in the race scans each animal as it passes. Known animals show a Match Found card with quick actions — view, record health, move, or add to a group. An unknown tag offers to register a new animal on the spot. In continuous mode the worker picks the action once and simply keeps scanning, with a running count.

In the mobile app

Scan and act

  1. 1

    Open Scan

    Tap the centre Scan button. Choose the source at the top: Camera, EID Reader, or NFC.

  2. 2

    Aim at the tag

    For camera, line the QR/barcode up in the reticle (use the torch in low light). For NFC, hold the tag to the top of the phone. For EID, reads arrive automatically from a paired stick.

  3. 3

    Act on the result

    A known animal shows View / Health / Move / Add to Group. An unknown tag offers Register.

  4. 4

    Continuous mode

    Toggle the infinity icon to keep the camera live and scan many animals in a row; a counter shows how many you have processed.

In the web app

Scan on the web

  1. 1

    Use a connected reader or search

    The web app is for the office — to look up an animal, use search in Livestock, or a USB/keyboard-wedge tag reader into the search box.

  2. 2

    Print scannable labels

    From Batches or Products, print QR / thermal labels so the field team (and consumers) can scan them later.

Bluetooth EID stick readers and other IoT hardware unlock on the Premium plan. Camera and phone-NFC scanning are available on every paid plan.

FAQ

Common ISO 11784/11785 Bluetooth stick readers (Allflex/Datamars, Tru-Test, Shearwell, Agrident) plus phone NFC. Pair them in the Devices tab.