[AT] Livestock ID

[George Willer]

Dan,

Do you think the regulations really mean what they say?

George Willer

> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-
> bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of dfolske at nccray.net
> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 2:44 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] Livestock ID
> 
> Walt,
> The National Animal Identification System intended as a means of traceback
> for
> animal disease outbreaks and also to fit the demands of our international
> customers who demand maimum traceability for food health issues. The
> methods being discussed do of course have some political aspects (what
> doesn't). One of the biggest political issues is who will control the
> databases and
> who will pay for everything.
> 
> In North Dakota we have taken the initiative to develop a proposal to test
> a
> proposed database system using electronic radio frequency ear tags.
> Producers
> can sign on to a research program looking at tag retention and tag type
> (high
> frequency or low frequency). It costs producers $2 per head but will
> include the
> return of growth effeciency and carcass trait information if the calves go
> to a
> cooperating feedlot and packer. The packers and large feedlots are
> generally
> onboard with the program but many smaller feedlots still cut out all
> existing tags
> and retag everything.
> 
> There are still a lot of variables and what eventually happens may still
> change a
> lot. One of the intial programs would have required an electronic chip
> implanted
> in every domestic animal including cats, dogs, pet mice and individual
> chickens.
> The plan also called for a premise ID for individual pastures and you
> would have
> had to file a change of premise report every time you moved an animal from
> one
> pasture to another. Most current proposals would require tagging when an
> animal moves from the place of its birth. You wouldn't have to have your
> animals tagged on the farm but they would have to be tagged at the sales
> barn
> or scale where they were being sold. Animals sold privately like bulls or
> replacement heifers would need to be tagged before leaving your place.
> Some
> proposals I've read indicated that it may eventually be illegal for any
> packing
> plant or local meat plant to accept and kill any animal without the proper
> tagging
> and documentation. But I have not seen how those plans will account for
> the lost
> tags we know will happen.
> 
> The implanted chip idea  seems to have been dropped do to concerns about
> chip migration. Chips inserted in an ear do not always stay in the year,
> but
> migrate to other areas of the body. If an implanted chip cannot be located
> and
> removed from a carcass the carcass would be considered adulterated and
> would be condemned.
> 
> As producers we need to educate ourselves and take part in the discussions
> about alternatives as much as possible.
> Dan
> 
> On 23 Feb 2006 at 19:54, DAVIESW739 at aol.com wrote:
> 
> > I raise Limousin cattle and I'm going to a  meeting on Saturday to see
> what
> > this is all about. will talk after that.  I  have registered my farm so
> far but
> > not sure what we are going to do on the  cattle. I'm hoping for a simple
> tag
> > not a brand or tattoo. although I do tattoo  the registered ones I don't
> do it
> > to the ones I sell at market for meat. \
> > I  don't think that this is politics I think its more on the side of be
> able
> > to  trace the origin of sick cows and such. I'm all in favor of that I
> just
> > don't  want to get to involved as I a little guy on a budget.
> >
> > Walt  Davies
> > Cooper Hollow Farm
> 
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