Sask. Government to Fund Cattle Traceability

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has announced it will continue and develop an animal identification incentive program for beef cattle producers. The purpose of the traceability program is to continue, further develop, and maintain the integrity of the Canadian Cattle Traceability program already in place. 

In further development of Canadian beef traceability, the Ministry of Agriculture will also provide special funding to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association to continue testing on cattle tag retention. Tags that are placed on animal’s ear are intended to remain for the life of the animal. Many cattle producers have reported that ear tags do fall out in a short period of time. 

One of the main tagging issues that have been raised by the cattle association had been cattle ear tag retention, and the cost of tag replacements. Ear tag retention is not only associated with CCIA approved ear tags; it deals with all basic visual and feedlot tags as well. 

There is a great article with basic tips on ear tag retention; you can read that article here. 

The overall effort is to continue the traceability program that is in place by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) and continue the already successful traceability mandate by Canada, and all its stake holders, typically the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. 

Animal Identification remains a high priority in Canada for health purposes, as well as the ability to compete on the global market place for imported beef and livestock. 

Canadian Beef

Canadian cattle traceability is an ongoing effort, which Canada remains committed to, in terms of education, development, and marketing of Canadian Beef abroad. 

Canada and its individual provinces all have incentives of different forms, to help animal identification, from small beef cattle producers, to feedlots, and slaughter houses.

The Livestock-ID blog has several blog posts with direct information and links to the various animal identification incentives and programs, which are beneficial to everyone. 

For Saskatchewan cattle producers, you can contact the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association for more information and assistance on traceability incentives. Resources for all cattle and animal identification within Canada are listed below. 

Animal Identification Resources: 

Improve Cattle Tag Retention 

Saskatchewan Livestock RFID Rebate 

Methods to Mark Visual Ear Tags 

2012 List of CCIA Approved RFID Ear Tags 

2012 List of CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers  

Livestock-ID Newsletter 

If you're looking for more resources, search the blog search box, or contact me at anytime. 

(C) Copyright 2012 Livestock-ID Animal Identification Resources

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CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) has a list of approved RFID tags and approved readers for the Canadian livestock industry. Both tags and readers have gone through field testing with pilot projects and are approved for the Canadian climate and requirements of the Canadian cattle industry.

If you’re looking for the official list of CCIA Approved Tags, you can find the list here.

CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers:

Aleis 9030 RFID handheld reader, is the most advanced stand alone RFID reader on the market. Any animal event can be entered on the reader, in the field, without the need of a handheld device.
Agrident AIR 100 RFID Reader, is an actual RFID reader module, that easily integrates with a Psion Teklogix Workabout Pro. The AIR 100 Ad-on readers provide a great solution to the Workabout Pro handhelds, where you can use mobile cattle or sheep management software.
Agrident AIR 200 RFID Reader, is the same as the AIR 100 module, with the difference being its telescopic antenna. Agrident has three different versions of their telescopic antenna’s, including a handheld external antenna style stick.
Agrident AWR RFID Stick Reader, is their most rugged RFID stick reader designed to be used in harsh environments. The AWR 200 reader comes with Bluetooth, the AWR 100 reader is just a straight stick reader, with serial connection.
Allflex RS250 RFID Stick Reader, the infamous grey stick, is one of Allflex’s cost effective basic RFID stick reader. The RS250 stick reader, is designed just to read tags, nothing more. If you’re looking for just a reliable reader to scan a tag only, this is the reader.
Allflex RS320-3-60 Yellow Stick is an ISO RFID Stick Reader. The reader comes in two different sizes, with Bluetooth, or basic serial connection. The read has a memory of 5000 tags, its lightweight and ergonomically designed for easy use. The Allflex yellow stick RFID reader is the most popular stick reader on the market.
Destron DTR-4 RFID Reader, also known as the paddle or wand reader, is a reliable reader with an added function, that no other reader has. The DTR-4 comes with Bluetooth, easy to read screen, and has the added function of Bio-Thermo technology, which reads internal temperature of an animal, with the Bio-Thermo LifeChips.
Gallagher Smartreader HR3 RFID Reader, is a lightweight reader, with protective hand guard, and trigger action to read tags. Readers come with Bluetooth, and internal tag memory of 2000 tags. The HR3 has a bright LCD screen at the handle of the reader. Reader is Compatible with Gallagher SmartScale series scales.
I.D. ology Lightning ROD RFID Reader, comes with Bluetooth, LCD screen, and the reader is lightweight. The reader has lightning fast connectivity with devices, and reconnects automatically, if the reader gets in and out of range with the connected device (Computer or Scale).

All CCIA approved RFID handheld readers, read all CCIA Approved RFID tags, which include HDX and FDX-B ear tags, and injectable tags. The approved readers will read all popular RFID / EID ear tags, and leg tags from all major manufacturers, even ones, that are not on the CCIA approved tag list.

The handheld wand and stick readers are all ISO RFID readers, reading the standard EID tag technology of ISO 11784 and 11785

Want more in-depth details on these animal ID readers? Join our Livestock ID newsletter for future issues, which will go into thorough detail on each reader. You can sign-up now here.

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By George Luker © Copyright 2011 Livestock-ID

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Cattle EID on the way for the UK

The UK farming industry welcomed the European Commissions’ proposal to move forward with Cattle EID. The EC made the announcement earlier this week on the need for bovine traceability, and also made recommendations for a much needed real time livestock database.

In its proposal the European Commission recommended a voluntary electronic identification system for all cattle. Several European countries currently use a voluntary EID system for ranch management purposes, which also provides an existing platform of identification for movement of bovine through its borders.

Members of the European Union mentioned that an implementation of a fully compliant EID system for cattle in the UK would strengthen the current traceability system for beef cattle and food products; making it faster and with accuracy.

In order to move quickly and give UK cattle producers an incentive to use EID, the EU has urged the UK government to allocated funds for initial grants for EID traceability to the bovine industry. The grants would be needed for cattle producers to purchase the necessary hardware for EID management, which would initially be for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers.

Electronic identification (EID) tagging in sheep and goats in the UK has been mandatory since 2010, along with individual recording of each animal.

What is an EID Tag?

EID is an acronym for Electronic Identification, which is a term used for scanning or reading the identification number of an object with an electronic device or EID reader, which works the same way as a barcode scanner.

EID uses RFID as the technology used to read the identification, like a barcode scanner, RFID uses radio frequency to read the identification of a tag.

An EID tag is another term used for RFID tags, in this case an EID ear tag is the same as an RFID button tag or RFID ear tag.

Bovine EID:

Bovine EID would be the next logical step for a complete and accurate traceability system with agricultures most valued commodity.

Bovine EID makes perfect sense in a country, where Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) also known as Mad Cows disease has the highest known cases for the fatal animal disease.

When BSE was discovered in the UK, not only did it cause many deaths directly related from infected cattle, it also created a financial crises on the UK beef cattle industry. At the time of the outbreak, the UK had confirmed more than 180 000 cattle had been diagnosed with BSE, which resulted in an initial slaughter of over 4 million cattle, in an effort to eradicate the disease.

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Branding Livestock for Animal Disease Traceability

The USDA has just released an update and status report on the new Animal Disease Traceability system, which is still in the finalization process, and to be implemented by the individual states and tribes. The time frame for the new traceability program is on target to be made mandatory in 2012.

The most recent indication from the USDA is, that they will allow branding and tattoo as an official form of animal identification within the animal disease traceability system. Until now, it was not known if branding would be considered as a compliant form of identification for livestock such as cattle, bison, sheep, goats, and pigs along with other species.

Branding will however have a new requirement or process of identification, which the USDA has yet to make public. This will change how branding will be done in the future for cattle moving interstate.

The USDA’s approach to a traceability system, still remains as a basic requirement for animal disease traceability, and would apply only to animals moving interstate. The ADT will still be implemented by each state or tribe, and the ability to use cost effective alternatives for official AIN.

The USDA will define the method and approved identification marking and devices to be used within the animal disease traceability framework.

The Grey Area of Animal Disease Identification:

There is still a grey area in the proposed animal disease traceability system, Dr. John Clifford the Chief Veterinarian Officer for APHIS released this update recently from the USDA. In the ADT update, it is stated that branding will be considered as a form of animal identification, but as an alternative form which must be agreed upon by health officials.

Here comes the grey area, if branding is accepted as an official form of identification, this is contradictory to the USDA current identification requirements for official AIN (Animal Identification Number) which is a defined format of identification on ear tags.

Another potential grey area of ADT would be the official 840 approved tags (RFID and visual) being the internationally recognized number for livestock from the United States.

The proposed Animal disease traceability program or system has so far just been for the movement of animal’s interstate, nothing has been mentioned about international tagging and identification requirements, which is the use of RFID button tags, also known as EID (Electronic Identification).

At the moment this is still the current list of official 840 tags as approved by the USDA as official compliance with AIN requirement.

Branding does not offer any quick and effective ability to read, look up an identification number or mark, which is not an ASCII character in a computer database, this issue has yet to be addressed and or defined.

An ASCII character is a numeric value in computer markup language that defines characters that are not alpha numeric, such as the # symbol and other symbols on a computer keyboard. Brands do not have an ASCII character.

So the question remains, will Branding be an official form of identification for animal disease traceability or just an additional alternative, to the official ADT method of identification?

Want to stay in the loop with the current updates on animal disease traceability? Sign up for our newsletter.

© Copyright 2011 Livestock-ID

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Livestock-ID Newsletter Sign-up

Livestock-ID will soon be publishing its first edition of the newsletter, a reminder for all to sign-up today, and don’t get left behind.

The Livestock-ID newsletter will have exclusive content, in-depth reports, and special manufacturer rebates and offer’s that are exclusive to subscribers only.

Sign-up now and get the inside scoop on products, manufacturer rebates, and government rebates or incentives for animal identification. 

The new NAIS (National Animal Identification System) which will be named “Animal Disease Traceability” will become mandatory soon, now is a better time than ever to sign-up for the Livestock-ID Newsletter.

Additional Resources:

USDA Animal Disease Traceability System A look at the proposed new NAIS, and potential requirements for animal identification.

Approved USDA Cattle Ear Tags: 840 Tags is the current and up to date list of USDA approved and official 840 tags.

Livestock-ID Newsletter Sign-up

Livestock-ID, Animal Identification Resources © Copyright 2011

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Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative

The Canadian livestock and cattle industry get a competitive boast to increase and implement full traceability, with a $20 million three year initiative from the government of Canada. The RFID incentive will further increase the Canadian livestock traceability system that is already in place to be EID compliant.

Animal Identification is a vital part of Canada’s economic growth in the livestock market, both nationally and internationally. In order to keep competitive on the international market, and be compliant with increasing import regulations, the Canadian Cattle industry is working to be fully traceable, reliable, and accountable in all aspects of livestock traceability, from farm to fork.

The Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative (LATI) is a three-year (2011-2014) program with funding from the Agricultural Flexibility Fund.  

The Agricultural Flexibility Fund is a five-year (2009-2014), $500 million fund to help with the implementation of new initiatives, both federally and in partnership with provinces, territories and the livestock industry.

The LATI will cover up to 80 percent of eligible project activities, up to a maximum of $100,000 per facility. The purpose of the Livestock Auction Initiative is to upgrade current facilities and implement RFID panel readers in new ones. All the hardware and software needed to capture the tag EID’s in feedlots is the main priority since this is where the most cattle are assembled and co mingle from different farm of origins. The need to accurately identify individual cattle as they enter and leave the premises is a major requirement. RFID panel readers are the recommended choice of RFID readers for high traffic areas, such as feedlots and auction marts.

The LATI will cover most costs of the readers, training to use them, construction and building materials needed to house and run the readers as well as software and related costs to implement an RFID system.

The Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative is for the following:

Live animal auction marts

Feedlots

Backgrounders

Privately managed community pastures

Animal Assembly Yards

Fairs and Exhibits

Since 2004 the

Canadian cattle industry has been using RFID technology to track animal movements across the country. RFID tagging

of Cattle is mandatory at farm of origin, before cattle leave the herd of origin. Full use of Approved Canadian Cattle RFID tags became mandatory as of January 2010

.

Like many other countries, Canada had chosen Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to implement a full traceable system. Using RFID cattle tags gives the Canadian Cattle Traceability system the security and integrity of exact identification of individual cattle and its movements.

Additional Resources and Links:
Approved Canadian Cattle RFID Ear Tags

Information on how to apply for the program: www.agr.gc.ca/lati.

LATI Program Guide

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Alberta Age Verification Incentive Program

Alberta beef cattle producers are eligible for a full rebate or incentive up to $3 per RFID ear tag. This is part of the Age Verification Incentive Program, where Alberta beef cattle producers are encouraged to age and source verify their cattle.

The program is part of Alberta’s initiative to give beef cattle producers an incentive to age verify and tag their cattle with CCIA approved RFID ear tags.

Important Note: The ear tag rebate and incentive is only valid on CCIA approved RFID ear tags.

Age and source verification is an important part of the Canadian livestock traceability system. The government of Alberta has created the Age Verification Incentive Program; to encourage Alberta beef producers to age verify their livestock. Since the AVIP uses CCIA Approved RFID ear tags, they offer a rebate up to $3.00 per tag.

Participating in the age and source verification adds to the integrity of the CCIA Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS), with an up to date and accurate database of animal identification with age and source verification.

With complete participation of the age and source verification program, the Alberta cattle industry protects itself against the vulnerability of an animal disease outbreak, that can’t be traced back to its origin. Canada and Alberta’s BSE Surveillance Program needs to be able to react quickly in identifying the animals, its movements and source of origin.

There are two ways to receive the discount on the RFID tags in the first year. (2010)

Livestock producers can claim an immediate discount at the point of sale; a form will need to be filled out, which all participating tag dealers have available. A downloadable version is available below. The information the producer will need to provide at the time of purchase is listed below.

A valid CCIA account number

Legal business name

Contact Information
The number of calves has or will age-verify from the calving year being calculated for the incentive-discount and

The number of tags that the producers has already requested or received a reimbursement or discount for under this program.

Example: In 2010, producers will be reporting on the number of calves from their 2009 calving season.

Producers who have already purchased radio frequency identification (RFID) tags between January 2009 and July 2010 are eligible for the incentive rebate. Producers must apply directly to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Fill out the Age-Verification Incentive Program Application and mail it in to the address on the form, remember to have copies of the tag receipts for which the reimbursement is being applied to.

Additional Resources and Links:

Age Verification Incentive Program Application
Alberta Ear Tag Dealers
List of Approved CCIA RFID Ear Tags
Allflex USA Company Profile

Website: Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development 
Tel: 780-643-1572 Fax: 780-422-3655

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Indiana’s 840 RFID Tag Pilot Program

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has announced its 840 RFID Tag Pilot Program, under the pilot program, the BOAH is offering FREE 840 RFID Tags for Hossier cattle producers.

The 840 RFID tags come in lots of 25 pieces; they are the yellow button type electronic tags, which are supplied by Allflex (An Approved USDA Vendor).

The tags used in the voluntary pilot program are for breeding cattle, under the age of 2 years. The free 840 RFID tags are only available to cattle producers. Exempt from the pilot program are feedlots, or breeding cattle that will be shipped out of state.

The objective of the Indiana’s tag pilot program is test usability, reliability, and longevity of the tags that remain in the state of Indiana over a long period of time. Initially this is to test the tag retention of Allflex 840 RFID tags.

You can view our post on tag retention, How To Improve RFID Ear Tag Retention for tagging tips.

An official list of Approved USDA Cattle Ear Tags: 840 Tags has all the approved 840 tags, which are visual tags and RFID tags.

Cattle producers must complete the 840 RFID Tag Request Form to be part of the pilot program. A premise ID is needed in order to participate, so tags can be linked to a specific location, which is the farm of origin.

840 tags can only be used in American born livestock. Under federal law, the removal of tags is unlawful once they have been tagged in livestock, because they are official U.S. Government Identification.

Why Are 840 RFID Tags being used in the pilot?

840 RFID tags provide additional reliability and integrity, because the tags use of electronic identification, as well as visual identification. The RFID tags can be scanned wirelessly with a RFID reader, and then the tag EID’s can be downloaded to livestock management software. Another reason to use RFID tags is to eliminate human error of reading tags, as well as the speed at which livestock can be identified.

The 840 RFID tags are also COOL (Country of Origin) compliant, which is another advantage of the tags.

Only the 840 RFID tags are available free with the pilot, RFID readers, software is not included, and is at the cost of the producers. RFID readers, and livestock software is not mandatory under the pilot, so producers can still apply for the free 840 tags, without an out of pocket expense.

For additional information on Indiana’s 840 RFID Tag Pilot, please visit their website. Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)

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Saskatchewan Livestock RFID Rebate Program

The Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate program started in October 2009. Under this RFID rebate program, Canadian cattle producers in Saskatchewan are eligible for a rebate up to 70% on all their expenses to set up their herd for RFID traceability, within the Canadian Livestock Tracking System.

This is an initiative by Saskatchewan to promote and enhance all livestock premises within the province to register their premises, and have a more proactive approach to RFID livestock traceability. The program is a voluntary livestock traceability program, participation in the program is not mandatory, although tagging their livestock with CCIA approved RFID tags, is mandatory for animal movements.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is the basis of the Canadian Livestock Tracking System.

With the voluntary livestock traceability rebate, Saskatchewan livestock producers have the chance to benefit with RFD technology. With this opportunity for a rebate, all livestock producers, auction marts, feedlots, backgrounders, veterinarian clinics, meat processors, fairs, exhibits, and managed community pastures are eligible for rebates up to 70% on all hardware, software, installation, and training that is involved in implementing a full RFID system on their premise.

Livestock producers, such as cattle, bison, sheep, pig, goat, and deer are eligible for a rebate of 70% up to the total amount of $50,000 per premise location. If a producer owns more than one premise, even with same registration name, each of the premises is eligible for the same rebate.

Auction marts, are eligible for the same rebate of 70% up to the total of $100,000 per premise location. For auction marts, there is no limit on the number of RFID readers per location, as long as it is within the $100,000 limit.

The following is a breakdown of the hardware, software, installation, and training services that are allowed with the RFID rebate program. All RFID readers, which are handhelds or fixed panel readers must be new, they can be purchased or leased.

Livestock Traceability software has a maximum rebate of $3,000. Software includes all cattle management software, from the simplest cattle management, to network based systems, with multiple user access. (We will go into details on the available cattle management software’s on the market, with reviews shortly.)

Ultra-rugged computers have a maximum rebate of $4,200. Computers should have a rating of IP-67, which means the computers are water proof, dust proof, and indestructible. Basically they are computers that can be used outdoors, and in extreme rough environments, such as conditions in a barn or feedlot. These computers or rugged laptops are like the Panasonic Tough Book series computers.

RFID Readers come in a wide variety of options, based on the user’s requirements. (We will provide a list shortly of all available RFID readers, and explain in detail the options on each style of reader.) This will be the hardest part of your traceability hardware, as there are so many options out there, from simple RFID stick readers, which just read the tag and transmit the tag EID to the software, to more sophisticated RFID readers, that can perform many options in the field.

RFID readers can be handheld readers, much like an Allflex stick reader, and they can also be a wand or paddle styled reader, like Destron.

Panel readers or fixed readers, are more suitable for feedlots, auction marts, and premise locations with high volume of traffic. Panel readers, will enable you to scan or read tagged cattle at a fast rate, much like when cattle go through a raceway or alleyway as they enter either the feedlot, auction mart, or tagging station.

Only CCIA Approved Readers are eligible for the RFID rebates. CCIA Approved RFID Tags are not included in the Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate.

More information on the RFID rebate program can be found at the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate website.

Below are the actual forms for the livestock traceability rebates.

FORM A: Rebate Application for General Applicants. (Producers)

FORM B: Facility Modification Claim for General Applicants. (Producers)

FORM A: Rebate Application for Auction Marts Only.

FORM B: Facility Modification for Auction Marts Only.

If you need additional information, and or need some advise on readers, the process, or general questions on the filing of the forms, you may contact myself by email (Listed on Contact Me on the blog) or by contacting the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate at 1-877-874-5365.

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Approved Canadian Cattle RFID Ear Tags

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

is an industry initiated and established organization that manages the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) A trace back system designed for the containment and eradication of animal disease. Established in 1998, CCIA has developed the only mandatory national cattle identification program for the cattle industry and works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure the food safety of the Canadian cattle industry.

For a complete list of CCIA Approved RFID Handheld Readers you can find the official list here.

In Canada there are six official RFID cattle ear tags that are approved by the CCIA. These are the official tags that must be used for the Cattle Identification Program in Canada.

Allflex HDX

Allflex FDX

Destron etag FDX

Reyflex

Y-Tex TechStar II Tag FDX

Zee Tags FDX

 

Allflex HDX                Allflex FDX

               Destron eTag FDX 

 

Reyflex FDX                 Y-Tex TechStar FDX    Zee Tags FDX

These tags have been tested under trial conditions and have met the Program’s criteria for retention, readability and ability to withstand tampering and environmental conditions.

Cattle ear tags are available through retailers of farm supplies, veterinarians, and other industry organizations.

If you are looking for a reseller in your location, please feel free to send me an email.

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

is an industry initiated and established organization. To inquire more about the approved cattle tags, or the Canadian Livestock Tracking System, they can be contacted at (877) 909-2333

Click on the following link for a listing of the USDA approved RFID ear tags,

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© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

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