Agricultural News
Traceability Continues to Cause Division Among Producers as Industry Vets System's Pros and Cons
Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:22:02 CDT
Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine's Dr. Rosslyn Biggs says the Cattle Trace animal ID pilot project based in Kansas is doing some good things in bringing together cattle producers, auction markets and the public sector. She expounded on that thought in a recent conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays.
"They're set up as a nonprofit and so that puts them in a different category rather than a government entity and their big focus in on animal health," she said. "There's been a lot of other benefits that folks can consider when it comes to traceability. So they are looking at collecting fairly limited data. The date and time of when that animal was IDed, where it was IDed and the number."
While many stakeholders recognize the benefits of an advanced traceability system as a way to prevent the rapid spread of foreign animal diseases, Biggs acknowledges that there is also a large producer segment that is hesitant to adopt this concept. According to Biggs, these producers are skeptical of the potential liability that a traceback system suggests. Coupled with that concern, is the unwelcome prospect of costing producers more money, more time and more work to adhere to traceability guidelines. However, Biggs says the Cattle Trace project is designed to address those concerns and show producers how effective and complimentary it can be to the industry's existing protocols.
"As we look at the extra costs, the obvious one is we're buying a tag that maybe we weren't otherwise or what's proposed currently is that there will be some government funding share on that part of the electronic ID tags," she said. "But, it's still an expense for producers. Then, there is also the concern of how a producer can use this technology for their own advantage."
Biggs talks more about this topic on today's Beef Buzz, exploring further the differing views within the industry in regard to animal ID and traceability.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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