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R-CALF: Animal ID Is Key Issue At New Mexico Meeting
CattleNetwork_Today 5/1/2006 11:17:00 AM
R-CALF: Animal ID Is Key Issue At New Mexico Meeting
Elida, N.M. – R-CALF USA Southeastern Field Representative John West spoke about current U.S. cattle industry issues, including the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS), during a recent seminar in Elida, sponsored by Good's Feed and Supply.
"R-CALF will continue to work with the USDA to ensure that any national Animal ID system will not burden producers and will be an economically viable market-driven system, not a federally mandated program," said West. "New Mexico cattle producers already have an excellent Animal ID system with traceback features in their brand program, and I agree with them, that if it's not broken, don't fix it."
Billy Frank Good, owner of Good's Feed and Supply, facilitated the meeting. He mentioned that New Mexico cattle producers do not want any kind of mandatory Animal ID system imposed upon them.
"Animal ID will not be practical on ranches," he commented. "The equipment is very expensive, and the paperwork is too burdensome. Besides, we already have a brand program in place for tracking purposes, so why should we need anything else?"
Jarrod Johnson, of Tatum, noted that Animal ID is a critical issue in the industry today.
"It appears that the information gathered for the animal identification system will only give packers more information about producers' operations," Johnson said. "The focus of the program seems to be shifting away from ensuring food safety to giving the packers what they want.
"If Animal ID is made mandatory, we will be one step closer to vertical integration, and the producer will no longer be independent," he said.
CattleNetwork_Today 5/1/2006 11:17:00 AM
R-CALF: Animal ID Is Key Issue At New Mexico Meeting
Elida, N.M. – R-CALF USA Southeastern Field Representative John West spoke about current U.S. cattle industry issues, including the proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS), during a recent seminar in Elida, sponsored by Good's Feed and Supply.
"R-CALF will continue to work with the USDA to ensure that any national Animal ID system will not burden producers and will be an economically viable market-driven system, not a federally mandated program," said West. "New Mexico cattle producers already have an excellent Animal ID system with traceback features in their brand program, and I agree with them, that if it's not broken, don't fix it."
Billy Frank Good, owner of Good's Feed and Supply, facilitated the meeting. He mentioned that New Mexico cattle producers do not want any kind of mandatory Animal ID system imposed upon them.
"Animal ID will not be practical on ranches," he commented. "The equipment is very expensive, and the paperwork is too burdensome. Besides, we already have a brand program in place for tracking purposes, so why should we need anything else?"
Jarrod Johnson, of Tatum, noted that Animal ID is a critical issue in the industry today.
"It appears that the information gathered for the animal identification system will only give packers more information about producers' operations," Johnson said. "The focus of the program seems to be shifting away from ensuring food safety to giving the packers what they want.
"If Animal ID is made mandatory, we will be one step closer to vertical integration, and the producer will no longer be independent," he said.
