Wisconsin increases RFID reimbursement
Tuesday, January 23, 2007, 12:32 PM
by Bob Meyer
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is expanding the incentive for the purchase of livestock identification tags. The Department will now reimburse 50% of the cost of approved Radio Frequency (RFID) tags up to $1.00 per animal. The program was introduced late last year offering 25% reimbursement; producers who enrolled at that time will automatically be rolled into the higher cost-share program.
Robert Fourdraine with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) says the program is on a first-come, first-served basis. “It’s real simple; they just have to sign up. They can go to our website and download form or they can give us a call and we will send them a form.” Producers then fill out the simple form, send it in and upon approval, “They can buy tags from whatever approved entity, breed registry, DHIA, then send the invoice in and they get the money back.” The tags must be from USDA approved distributors and have an animal identification number. Participants must also have a premise ID number.
Fourdraine is encouraging all livestock producers in the state to take advantage of the program. “I think everybody agrees, we need a system for animal health purposes so if there is a disease, we can quickly find the source and find how the spread of that disease takes place.”
Tuesday, January 23, 2007, 12:32 PM
by Bob Meyer
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is expanding the incentive for the purchase of livestock identification tags. The Department will now reimburse 50% of the cost of approved Radio Frequency (RFID) tags up to $1.00 per animal. The program was introduced late last year offering 25% reimbursement; producers who enrolled at that time will automatically be rolled into the higher cost-share program.
Robert Fourdraine with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) says the program is on a first-come, first-served basis. “It’s real simple; they just have to sign up. They can go to our website and download form or they can give us a call and we will send them a form.” Producers then fill out the simple form, send it in and upon approval, “They can buy tags from whatever approved entity, breed registry, DHIA, then send the invoice in and they get the money back.” The tags must be from USDA approved distributors and have an animal identification number. Participants must also have a premise ID number.
Fourdraine is encouraging all livestock producers in the state to take advantage of the program. “I think everybody agrees, we need a system for animal health purposes so if there is a disease, we can quickly find the source and find how the spread of that disease takes place.”