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Cattle ID remains a hot-button issue

An official with the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) says Cattle ID and traceability remains a hot-button issue.

Chelsea Good tells Brownfield there is a national program for adult cattle moving across state lines.

“We’re starting to feel some more interest, or pressure, from USDA and state veterinarians, and maybe even from some within our own industry, to talk about the future of that program and if any changes are needed.”

LMA has created a traceability subcommittee and Good says they are also participating in industry conversations through the Cattle Traceability Working Group.

“This isn’t easy.  If this was easy we would’ve done it a long time ago.  It’s not just the cost of breeding tags, although that is challenging.  I think there are (also) a lot of logistical challenges to figure out along the way, so we need to be pretty deliberate in how we look at this.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the 2018 NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Good says she’s encouraged by some pilot projects looking at technologies that work best for the industry.