Canada Ends Bar Coded Livestock Ear Tags

Reminder to all Canadian cattle producers, Effective July, 1 2010 all cattle and bison must be tagged with the CCIA Approved RFID Ear Tags. Bar coded dangle tags are not to be used any longer. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be enforcing the new regulations, which had been in effect since January 2009.

The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) had made the official release to the public on May, 31 2010. This applies to Cattle and Bison in Canada, once they leave their farm of origin. All livestock must be tagged with the approved RFID tag, before leaving the premises of the farm.

Canadian cattle producers, had been given a grace period, so they could use their current bar coded livestock ear tags, but now the official notice had been given.

Here is a full list of the CCIA Approved RFID Ear Tags, which is also available at the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency website (http://www.canadaid.com/)

With the full support of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canada’s livestock industry needs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), in order to have a fully effective traceability system.

Additional benefits of RFID technology, is the speed and accuracy of identification, which ultimately affects the bottom line of the beef cattle industry, making Canadian cattle more competitive on the world market.

Effective July, 1 2010, all cattle producers must use the mandatory approved RFID ear tags. Bar coded livestock ear tags are no longer to be used.

Read more...

Approved USDA Cattle Ear Tags: 840 Tags

Approved USDA Cattle Ear Tags: Official 840 Tags.

As of September 2009 this is the official list of Visual and RFID Cattle ear tags, also known as AIN (Animal Identification Number) tags, all approved USDA cattle ear tags.

These are official 840 tags. Any tag that is not an official 840 tag is not an approved cattle ear tag.

840 is a reference to the country of origin of the tagged animal, in this case 840 is the official number for United States, as 124 is official number for Canada, 826 for Great Britain, and so on.

Every country has an official number for the tag, which must be a 15 digit animal id number, and beginning with the 3 digit country code. 840.123456789100

The USDA AIN tags are for one-time use only, and are tamper evident. All tags are designed with the 15 digit AIN number and beginning with the country code of 840. The tags also have the US shield logo, and text “UNLAWFUL TO REMOVE”.

The official 840 USDA Approved Cattle tags come in three main forms.

Visual Tag: Basic visual cattle ear tag with the AIN number.

RFID Tag: Cattle RFID ear tag with the AIN number on the transponder, which is read by an RFID reader.

Visual and RFID Tag: Both the visual and RFID cattle ear tag are the same number.

There are also injectable transponders which are geared more to Equine, which also must have the AIN on the transponder.

As in Canada, you must have a Premises Identification Number (PIN) in order to purchase the official 840 cattle ear tags. All AIN tags are associated with the premises identification number.

Below are the approved USDA Cattle Ear tags, which are official 840 tags.

Allflex 840 Visual Tags:

Tag Name	Tag Type	Picture	Species
Allflex Ultra Maxi	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
Allflex Ultra Large	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
Allflex Ultra Junior	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk

 

Allflex 840 RFID Tags: ISO 11784/85 Compliant.

Tag Name	Tag Type	Picture	Species
FDX Ultra EID Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
HDX High Performance Ultra EID Tag	Button Ear Tag HDX		Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Lightweight EID Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Sheep/Goats, Pigs, Deer/Elk
FDX Plus Ultra EID Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
All-in-One, FDX Plus EID Tag	RFID Visual Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
All-in-One, HDX High Performance EID Tag	RFID Visual Tag HDX		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
Allflex Global-Ident Microchip	Injectable Transponder		Equine, Alpaca/Llama

AVID Identification 840 RFID Tag: Injectable Transponder ISO 11874/85

EZID Transponder Implant

Injectable Transponder

Equine, Alpaca/Llama

Destron 840 Visual Tags:

Medium Visual Tamper Evident Tag	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle
Large Visual Tamper Evident Tag	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle
Extra Large Visual Tamper Evident Tag	Visual Ear Tag		Cattle

Destron 840 RFID Tags: ISO 11784/85 Compliant.

Destron e.Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Destron Combo e.Tag	RFID Visual Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
Sheep/Goat Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Sheep/Goats, Deer/Elk
Equine LifeChip	Injectable Transponder FDX		Equine, Alpaca/Llama
Equine Bio-thermo LifeChip	Injectable Transponder FDX		Equine, Alpaca/Llama
g.Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX		Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk

All Other 840 Visual Tags:

ReyVis XL  ReyFlex	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Herdsman Small Temple Tag	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Herdsman Medium Temple Tag	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Herdsman Large Temple Tag	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
All American 1 Star Y-Tex Corp.	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Sheep/Goat, Deer/Elk
All American 2 Star Y-Tex Corp.	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
All American 3 Star Y-Tex Corp.	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
All American 4 Star Y-Tex Corp.	Visual Ear Tag	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk

All Other 840 RFID Tags: ISO 11874/85 Compliant.

g.Tag/Tri-Merit Global Animal Management	Button Ear Tag FDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
ReyRID Tag ReyFlex	Button Ear Tag FDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Leadertronic HDX Leader Products	Button Ear Tag HDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Write TAG Stockbrands Co.	Button Ear Tag FDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Deer/Elk
Temple EID Tag Temple Tag	Button Ear Tag FDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk
Y-Tex RFID Tag Y-Tex Corp.	Button Ear Tag FDX	No Picture	Cattle, Bison, Pigs, Deer/Elk

All Cattle ear tags and injectable transponders are approved for the following species of livestock. Cattle, Bison, Equine, Pigs, Alpaca, Llama, Sheep, and Goats, as well as Wildlife animals Deer, and Elk.

Please click on the following for a listing of the Approved Canadian Cattle Ear Tags.

© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

Read more...

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,

Follow us on Twitter for updates. Livestock_ID

© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

Read more...

Age and Source Verification: The essential prerequisite for Animal Identification.

Age and Source Verification: The essential prerequisite for Animal Identification.

A recent research project that was conducted by the University of Illinois, demonstrated how cattle ranchers could receive higher premiums per head of cattle. The research and proposed system call “The Processed Verification Program” or (PVP) for Age and Source verification of livestock.

The Processed Verification Program, which was suggested to the southern Illinois ranchers, proved that higher premiums per head can be achieved, which is added value to their beef cattle operations.

Age and Source Verification, is one of the first and important steps in animal identification. Soon as a calf is born, it is tagged recorded, and the info is sent to the verification program. The rancher then receives documentation that the calf is Age and Source verified. It is a simple and effective start to animal identification.

With Age and Source Verification, this gives confidence to the consumers that their beef can be traced by to the point of origin, and also the age is verified. With the ranchers premise ID, calf tag identification, and date of birth, this can all be reported easily to the state designated PVP.

The University of Illinois, proposed that if “The Processed Verification Program” is implemented and used by farmers breeding cattle in southern Illinois, they could be able to sell their cattle to feed lots with an average premium increase of $25 per head. The premiums could go between $25 to $80 per head, depending on the certified verification, which in the case would simply be Age and Source.

There is also a trend for organic produce and organic production. The more organic feed that is given to cattle, and the way cattle are raised could also give higher premiums per head, along with age and source verification.

Arango Rueda from the University of Illinois recommended that the PVP be put into place immediately, and that farmers make some changes to their operations, so certification can easily be achieved. Arango Rueda, went on to say that on the world market, countries such as Japan, Korea, and some of the European countries, pay higher premiums on verified cattle.

As for a National Animal Identification System, this would be the first step in animal identification, and a start towards full livestock traceability. Age and Source verification or the PVP is a natural first step that all individual states should look at, as the basic grounds for a new NAIS.

© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

Read more...

USDA: New Climate Change Research

Climate change and its impact on the land, crops and animals.

For years producers from livestock to agriculture, have been concerned about global warming, climate change and the effects that it is having across the board. Many times those concerns and voiced alarms had fallen on deaf ears.

Producers of our food chain supply, from meat to vegetables and fruits are the first of all people, who know (Have Known) about the climate changes and its effects. Climate change has had an impact on land, crops, and animals over the last twenty years.

The producers have spoken, and finally it is officially being recognized as a concern. Climate change and its impact is now part of a new national study.

The US Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have created a joint research program that designates nearly $50 million to develop climate system models to provide insights on climate variability and impacts on ecosystems across the board.

For years we have all noticed the climate change or global warming, which effects the world, and all consumers who every day buy their fruits and vegetables.

In a year where there is a bad crop, and or low yield, consumers pay a higher price, but ultimately it is the producer who is losing money, as the crops have diminished to low or below breakeven margins, and in many cases has to accept the same selling rate to distributors, and take a loss on additional cost measures to protect their crop.

Same is said for the livestock industry, with rising fuel costs, which affects everything to feed, hay, and machinery needed to provide the needed daily care of livestock.

The USDA, DOE, and NSF will make requests on the proposal for the program in 2010.

This year the NSF will contribute up to $30 million, the DOE will pitch in an approximate $9 million, and the USDA with an approximate of $10 million. With this joint venture between the three main agencies, this will allow for combined funding, and expertise in each of its fields, which they will collectively share.

USDA will support research to develop climate based models that will be linked specifically to crop, forestry, livestock, and aquaculture, to measure the potential management and strategies in the development of the climate change project.

Through federal funding and leadership for the research, education and extension programs, the NIFA will focus on science and solving critical issues which impact daily lives of people, and the nation.

The much needed study on climate change and its impact affects on livestock and agriculture are finally being recognized as a major concern, not only to producers but to the nation and overall population.

Global warming and climate change its impacts on the land, crops and animals is a concern that should be taken seriously by everyone.

© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

Read more...

Livestock Premise Identification in Canada

Premise Identification, is a key factor in livestock traceability, along with tagging livestock with RFID ear tags, premise identification (Premise ID) is an important part of the livestock traceability chain. This enables authorities (CCIA) to trace livestock back to point of origin, through RFID cattle ear tags, as well as the farm or feedlot the animal came from.

In short premise identification is the identity of a geographic location, or plot of land, which is quickly identified during an outbreak.

Premise Identification is an extremely important factor in livestock traceability, without a premise id, the traceability systems does not come full circle in the traceability chain.

Premises are the location where livestock are held, this includes farms, pastures, feedlots, auction marts, and veterinary clinics.

In the event of a disease outbreak, the register of premise id provides officials with the exact location of specific livestock. In the event of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak also known as foot and mouth disease, livestock can be first located by premise identification.

The animal traceability system is comprised of three main components, which are premise identification, animal identification, and animal movements. These factors are recorded in the livestock database. (Canadian Livestock Tracking System)

Premise identification is also cost effective, as fewer livestock animals would be affected by an outbreak, and only those specific premise locations, where an outbreak can be traced back, would be affected, and quick action can be implemented to reduce the loss of cattle, sheep or other livestock from that location.

In Canada all livestock operators must have their location registered for premise identification; this is also needed for RFID ear tags, Age Verification and animal movements, as they are allocated to that specific premise.

The Government of Saskatchewan is assisting the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) with the registering of Saskatchewan premises.

To register for premise identification and age verification of animals please see the contact details below.

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) at 1-877-909-2333 or info@canadaid.ca

  Their website http://www.canadaid.com/

The CCIA’s Canadian Livestock Tracking Systems: http://www.clia.livestockid.ca/CLTS/public/splash.do

© Copyright  2010 Livestock-ID 8Z8JWFMP68BK

Read more...

Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) RFID Pilot

Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) RFID Pilot has begun.

The Canadian Sheep Federation had received over 63 applications for the RFID pilot project.

From the Sheep producer applications, the CSF had selected 25 producers to take part in the pilot project. The producers selected were from BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Maritimes.

The sheep producers range from small flocks, to large flocks. The RFID pilot is to determine the overall costs of implementing RFID for sheep producers. The pilot will also determine the overall benefits of animal identification as well.

The Alberta Lamb Producers have been omitted from the RFID pilot, because they are already in a Pilot, which is in its third year. The Alberta Lamb Traceability Project (LTP).

Sheep producers in Quebec (La Fédération des producteurs d'agneaux et moutons du Québec) have been omitted as well, RFID is mandatory in Quebec and reported to Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ).

The Canadian Sheep Federation has allocated funding to fully refund and cover the costs of the RFID Pilot to the participating producers.

Sheep management software is fully refunded by the CSF at 100 percent, up to maximum of $700.00.

The RFID sheep tags are also refunded 100 percent.

The following is the RFID sheep ear tags being used,  which are the yellow Allflex RFID button tag and the Shearwell Data SET tag with the official CSIP numbers. 
 

Hardware for the RFID pilot is a shared cost of 50 percent between the Canadian Sheep Federation and the participating Sheep producers.

Included in the cost sharing is the following.

Laptop computer up to $800.00

RFID Reader up to $1500.00

Scale indicators and load bars up to $2000.00

The sheep producers in the pilot have a choice of the manufactures and product variations they wish to use within the budgeted limits as indicated above.

© Copyright 2010 Livestock-ID

Read more...