Still haven't seen any local buyers offering more for the RFID tags...Been the same here for years-- mostly they want signed affidavits and 3rd party verification of ownership.....I've watched them sold sourced and aged for years with a hot iron brand- and State Brand Division transfer of ownership brand inspection for ID--- and signed affidavits verifying age, area origin, feed/nonfeed stuff, verification of no steriods/implants and no antibiotics, certification of shots program....
Many of these cattle were/are headed into the USDA's BEV programs-- and programs shipping to Japan and others.... Some of the feeders preferred the use of affidavits because it allowed them to utilyze whatever ID system they had sat up for in their individual feedlots...Some of the loads I inspected out were going to Colorado feedlots that used "eye readers" and their own tagging system to identify- and the paper trail for "signed verification"....
This year the SD buyers in here have only been offering more if the calves have their fall preconditioning shots-- and adding about a $2 cwt premium for that...
Interestingly the Angus Source- and the AAA's partnering with the USDA on NAIS is kind of a hot topic right now after all the money the AAA apparently has lost with it- and then all the questions that arose on the associations financial stability after they had to raise dues almost 300%- and cut services to members because of these financial problems.... :???: