National Animal ID System | 01.04.2007 | 05:57:06 | Views: 4643 | ID: January 4: In the U.S. the farming and agriculture industry has been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a livestock tracking system that would help government officials trace and locate sources of disease - if a zoonotic or biological disaster were to occur. One of the ways government officials have been cooperating with state and local communities and farms is through the National Animal ID System. The ID system is voluntary and works by having farmers register their livestock with the federal government either by tagging individual animals, or in groups. By giving animals ID numbers, officials are able to track the movement of the animals as they move from farm to farm, or from feed lot to the slaughter house. Government officials have said that this tracking system helps to monitor the movement of the animals so that if a disease such as hoof and mouth or mad cow were to break out, the source of the illness could be quickly identified. Recently, a field report was released looking into efforts to maintain the livestock databases and track the movement of animals using RFID technology in the ear tags. The report found room for improvement in the implementation of the technology. A fourth similar study has been announced by the federal government, according to Wisconsin's Agriculture Connection website. "Dairy producers will be asked to provide data regarding herd management, herd health, disease prevention practices and numerous other aspects of their operations." The aim of the dairy report will be to "promote efficient production and improve product quality." Download the field report here: National Animal ID System Field Report.
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