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Among the opening sessions of this year’s Cattlemen’s College was a discussion of cooperative efforts between producer groups and USDA, for the purpose of moving the beef industry closer to implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Cited as examples were USDA-funded regional projects that are implementing individual animal identification to facilitate traceability. Speakers included University of Kentucky staffer Jim Akers who directs the Southeastern Livestock Network, and Idaho producer Rick Stotts who leads the Northwest Pilot Project.
According to Akers, the Southeastern Livestock Network was organized by cattlemen’s associations representing producers in 10 southeastern states.
“For us, the driver is marketing of value-added feeder calves,” explained Akers. “Individual identification provides a more efficient way to manage sales involving 1000 to 2500 head of commingled feeder calves and provide source and age verification.”
According to Akers, individual identification may also be applied to carcass data collection of calves tracked to the packer. Information fed back to producers may then be used to influence future management decisions. The system also may enhance marketing of other classes of cattle such as replacement quality heifers and slaughter cows that could demand a premium on the basis of source verification and documented management history. An electronic identification system, added Akers, provides the standardization needed to implement these programs.
Akers says a (USDA-funded) NAIS pilot project to track cows to the packer and demonstrate how traceability can work. They also want to demonstrate that implementing individual identification does not have to be cumbersome to producers.
“They do not have to be expensive,” he added, “and they shouldn’t put anybody out of business.”
According the Rick Stott, the Northwest Pilot Project involves producers in seven states. Its goals are to test multiple identification systems and demonstrate how cattle might be tracked from their herd of origin, through processing, with an auditable trail. Thus far, about 27,000 head have been enrolled, with anticipated enrollment of 40,000.
“We want to look at the potential for group marketing under an identification system since many of the cattle in our area move, sell and are fed and processed as groups,” said Stott. “We expect to fail, but it will help refine NAIS to be workable to provide 48-hour trace-back to the herd of origin. It needs to be practical so there are no barriers to producer compliance.”
While the initial purpose of individual animal identification, from USDA’s standpoint, is to achieve trace-back capability for animal disease control purposes, Stott agrees that it will bring opportunities to enhance food safety assurance and marketing programs. But those are separate issues, he stresses.
Stott and Akers agree that pilot projects should reveal what is needed to make the system better, so even a cowboy can use it.
— by Troy Smith, field editor, Angus Productions Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Angus Productions Inc.
Editor’s Note: This article was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API), which claims copyright to this article. It may not be published or distributed without the express permission of Angus Productions Inc. To request reprint permission and guidelines, contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at (816) 383-5270 or shermel@angusjournal.com.
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