Animal ID isn't the answer

[RHR]

I will predict mandatory animal Id will become a reality in the US during this decade for two reasons. One, our foreign markets are asking for it and the competion is providing it and two, for our own countries increasing demands for food safety. We have many organizations weighing in on the issue but when all is said and done we will have MID in some form or another whether I like it or not. I don't understand how the SD Stockgrowers can want some things mandatory(like brand inspections, price reporting, COOL) and not others(like MID).

 

[theHiredMansWife]

Just wanted to jump in here to let folks know that all of North Dakota requires brand inspection.

:!: Learn something new everyday. I thought for sure the brand line (splitting the state) went all the way up to CND (then again, we were always in the western half anyway so everyone branded...)
I haven't the foggiest idea what the laws are for KS on south...

I do know that eastern South Dakota does not, and would sure like to see that changed. Makes for headaches as a brand inspector and an open door for thieves.

It makes for a headache when transporting animals out of the brand inspection area. Ie, from west river to east river. As we had to do when taking anything to the vet. You want to talk hassle, imagine 2AM having to track down a brand inspector because the vet won't let your c-section in the doors without a paper. :roll:

 

[Anonymous]

HMW

It makes for a headache when transporting animals out of the brand inspection area. Ie, from west river to east river. As we had to do when taking anything to the vet. You want to talk hassle, imagine 2AM having to track down a brand inspector because the vet won't let your c-section in the doors without a paper.

HMW- I can't say about SD or any other states- but Montana gives you a free run to the vet for emergencies- you just have to make arrangements to have it inspected before it goes back... Not legal to brand inspect after sunset (without natural light) anyway..

 

[theHiredMansWife]

That particular case the manager did the c-sec himself because of the hassle.
But I remember the write-up in the paper when they decided to crack down that even for emergencies the clinic would not take an animal that hadn't been inspected. (Though perhaps a late-night emergency like that they would have waived...)

Montana is statewide inspection area, though, isn't it?
The clinker here was that we had to cross out of the inspection area when crossing the bridge into town.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

The whole point of the story was that we found three bulls, within a matter of hours. Our system already is working. If it ain't btroke, don't fix it.

Not being argumentitive, just offering my opinon. If any one wants to argue about it, go to the thread on bull session and lets keep it friendly here.

Oh no argumentation whatsoever, just offering the viewpoint of someone who'd already been through it. So were they ever able to do a complete traceback of that Alabama cow?

Rod

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Why does it perplex you big muddy? If it helps Canada wouldn't you rather us not have NAIS?

Well, actually Red Robin, I'm one of those lunatics that believes in a true Canadian/American herd. I think we should have our regulations standardized between our two countries, as the ONLY people that closed borders have help are the packers. Almost no producers on either side of the border benefitted. That means we get some of your regs, you get some of ours, and M_ID would definitely be one of them, as no matter what an individual says, foreign countries are demanding adequate traceback. While you can cite individual cases where brands and/or tattoos have been successful, you sure can't argue that an animal with no brand is going to be traceable when it hits a slaughter plant.

But this is getting dangerously close to something that should be in bull session, so I'll leave it at that

Rod

 

[Red Robin]

Why does it perplex you big muddy? If it helps Canada wouldn't you rather us not have NAIS?

Well, actually Red Robin, I'm one of those lunatics that believes in a true Canadian/American herd. I think we should have our regulations standardized between our two countries, as the ONLY people that closed borders have help are the packers. Almost no producers on either side of the border benefitted.

But this is getting dangerously close to something that should be in bull session, so I'll leave it at that

Rod

I don't know Rod but I guess I'll disagree. I never liked to have my wagon hitched to another mans team. If you do a better job with traceability , breeding cattle, food safty , producing a better product , etc. then I think you should benefit for your efforts with a larger market share ...Nebraska cattle bring more money than Arkansas cattle. I think there are several reasons. Tucking , larger uniform lots, better quality on average, etc. Would it be fair to tie the Nebraska market to the Arkansas market? No. My cattle are better than my neighbors. More uniform, more growth, better quality carcasses, etc. Would it be fair to tie my calves to my neighbors when marketing ...no. I prefer a market driven economy . One thing I don't think is very American is the Creekstone deal. If they have a market , they should be able to fill the market and not be tied to the Tyson , Cargill , etc. deal. I'm not for closing borders or limiting imports or anything like that I don't think. Let it be market driven. I guess I would be for cool so the consumer can make an intelligent decision about the quality of the product.

 

[Mike]

The whole point of the story was that we found three bulls, within a matter of hours. Our system already is working. If it ain't btroke, don't fix it.

Not being argumentitive, just offering my opinon. If any one wants to argue about it, go to the thread on bull session and lets keep it friendly here.

Oh no argumentation whatsoever, just offering the viewpoint of someone who'd already been through it. So were they ever able to do a complete traceback of that Alabama cow?

Rod

Either the cow didn't have a bangs tag, or had lost it, and no, they weren't able to do a complete traceback because of it. Could they do a complete traceback of a Canadian cow that was 10-12 years old?

 

[Mike]

Just This Week:

Agriculture Confidentiality Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

A bill that allows the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to implement an animal identification program consistent with the USDA's National Identification System passed the Senate Thursday by a vote of 20-6. It now heads to the governor for his signature.

HB 254, sponsored by Rep. Blaine Galliher, R-Gadsden, provides that information collected for the purpose of animal identification would be confidential with certain exceptions. This bill would authorize the commissioner to keep information confidential regarding the existence or operation of any agricultural interest or other business regulated by the department.

Gov. Bob Riley's spokesperson told The Associated Press that the governor would study the bill and decide whether to sign it into law.

At a news conference Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks said the department plans to work with large and small producers alike to help them comply with USDA requirements. While the National Animal ID System will not be mandatory until 2009, Sparks said he hopes producers will voluntarily register their livestock premises, once the governor signs the bill guaranteeing their information will be kept confidential by the Department of Agriculture.

Federation Beef Director Perry Mobley has been authorized by the Department of Agriculture to register premises under the voluntary program. For more information, contact him at 1-800-392-5705, ext. 4221.

Gov

 

[greg]

Trust your neighbor-brand your calves.Haven't heard that one for a while,good one.My example is the best you could get,of why it should work?I took my daughter a few years back to look for a 4-H calf prospect.It was maybe 25 miles from home,pulling into yard noticed a cow in corral that kind of looked familiar,backed up took second look,yep was cull cow I lost in spring when moved others to pasture and was going to sell her,but she was gone in morning when went to load.This guy noticed me backing up to look and was nervous about it when I got to house.Turned out he had in corral to sell next day-turns out he was the brand inspector,turns out the neighbor 2 miles away phoned him to pick up instead of looking around home?-turns out inspector couldn't read brand?? However do brand, and is handy when they get mixed up with others,RFID tags can't replace that ,but I beleive they are a necessary evil

 

[George]

It just goes to show that dishonest people will try to find a way. I lost a 700 # calf once that was gone for about 4 months and someone I had never met called me - - - - it had been with his cows but he had to wait to get it in to read the tag and called me - - - would not take payment for keeping her that long. That was my first meeting with him but found him to be a good friend and honest person over the years. He died about three years ago but his son is just as good a person as he was.

Another time I went on vacation and ask another neighbor ( friend I thought ) to watch my stock. When I got back I was missing 16 head. Called the State Police and with the brand on the left hip and the ear tags they found records showing the man I had watching them sold 15 of them at the Indianapolis stockyards. I still feel he butchered the other one but could not prove it. He was also my loan officer at PCA and lost his job over the theft.