In order for an animal identification system to be established in this country, it is imperative to understand exactly what databases are and are not. A database consists, in its simplest form, of three key components:

Information must be in a logical format that is consistent with the data to be collected. In other words, it makes little sense to create a database containing information about dogs and baseball cards if this information does not have some common purpose. It would be more logical to create two separate databases, one for dogs and another for baseball cards.

 

The information must be correct. If data is collected based upon a Social Security number, it is imperative that the number be recorded exactly. Failure to do so results in faulty information. This phenomenon is referred to as GIGO, Garbage In-Garbage Out.

 

Information should be unique. Generally speaking, transferring a hundred identical transactions to a database produces bad information. At the local grocery store a clerk scans each item only once. Failure to do so results in a customer paying for more groceries than they purchased. If the opportunity for redundant transactions can occur, the database should guard against duplication of information.

 

Information stored in a database must be centralized. It is important to be able to store all information relative to the purpose of the database in a single location. (Or have the ability to access the information so that it appears centralized.) If five different databases were to contain similar but unique information, a query could not return a correct response. (This example is general in nature, a full explanation of database design is beyond the scope of this paper.) For example, five databases contain all of a company’s sales to a given customer. Each database, however, contains unique invoices which are not duplicated on any of the other databases. A single query cannot provide the total sales for a given customer, since each database can only report the sales information that it contains. As a result, the data is incomplete relative to the request.

 

Data must be gathered in a timely manner. If a transaction happens on the first of the month and is not recorded into the database until the following month, the database will contain incorrect information. If a user queries the databases for all transactions occurring in a given period, the untimely transactions will not appear. As a result, decisions are made on information that is not complete and problems will occur.

Information retrieved from a database must be useful. At the end of each month, a bank sends out statements to all of their customers. Suppose the information contained on the statement only informs the customer of their account number and that they did indeed write checks during the previous month, without specifying which checks had cleared the bank. This information would be of little value to the customer. Rather, the customer is looking for information regarding their deposits, withdrawals and current balances. This information is useful and provides the customer with information that they would otherwise be unable to acquire were it not for the statement.

 

The information contained in a database must be secure. The fact that the bank knows how much money each customer has on deposit, is probably not as important as the fact that the bank does not tell everyone else the balances in all of their customers accounts. Protecting the privacy of information is a key factor to most databases.

 

When a request is made for information from a database, it is imperative that the reply be timely. It does little good for the bank to send out statements that are a year old. For information to be valuable, it must be current so that it provides current information.

 

 

Now that a general explanation of databases has been given, it is important to understand how a database fits into an animal identification system. Before we discuss what an animal identification database should look like, it is important to discuss what a database is not.

A database is NOT an ID system. In order to have an animal identification system, four ingredients are necessary: 1) a numbering system, 2) a database, 3) an identification device, and 4) a means to collect and transmit data. The first ingredient is a numbering system which should be recognized internationally. The second ingredient is a centralized database to store information which is accessible to users. The third ingredient is an ID device. The ID device is an apparatus which can store and transmit data in a uniform manner. And finally, the fourth component is a means of collecting data from an ID device. This ingredient consists of hardware devices such as a scanner, computer hardware and software programs that collect and transmit data to a central database. As a result, a database is but a single ingredient in an identification system, and not a complete system in and of itself.

A database is NOT an immediate solution to improved production efficiency. Once a database is created, users cannot expect it to immediately provide them with answers to all of their problems. Although a database will provide information that will increase user productivity, it will not be able to do so until sufficient information has been captured and stored. A database is capable of relaying back only information that it contains. For a single user, a database may initially provide valuable information. However, on a national scale, information will not be available until wide-spread use of the system is in place.

A database is NOT an immediate solution to food safety. With the increased concern on the part of consumers for safer food, the livestock industry has embraced animal ID as a means of increasing food safety assurances. However, attempting to trace back the production of a single animal requires that each segment of the production process be actively involved in the process. If a hole exists in the identification process, the chain is broken and the data becomes worthless. Each segment must do its part to maintain the integrity of the database.

A database IS a centralized repository of information. An animal identification database should contain at least the following three areas of information. A premise identification, an animal identification number, and a lot number. Once these three basic areas of information are collected, hundreds of systems can be developed based on this standard to provide identification systems for a variety of uses and needs.

A database IS foundational to an ID system. Once an information foundation is laid, the process of animal identification can begin. Trying to create an animal identification system without an information standard and a centralized database, defeats the purpose of animal identification. This is the main reason for the frustration that has become common-place in trying to create an ID system. Identification devices exists, as well as the means to collect the information. So why has a system not been created? The answer is simple, there is no foundation upon which to build. Creating an identification database, that promotes a common standard, allows for the development and implementation of systems at the user level.

A database IS an investment in the future. The next major revolution will be the information revolution. As with the industrial revolution, this revolution will overcome everything in its path. With the advent of the global marketplace, the ability to control and use information will become paramount. Competition for goods and services will no longer be confined to national borders, it will come from every nation on Earth. If a producer is to remain competitive, he will have to become more efficient and produce higher quality products than the competition.

A strategic advantage over the competition must be attained in order to remain competitive. This advantage will not be attained without superior information. In order to attain this type of information, an investment in the future must be made, even though the payoff for this investment may not be realized for several years. If producers in this country are not willing to invest in animal identification systems, there will be others elsewhere who will be willing to make the investment.

Recall what has happened to other industries that have had to compete in a global market. The steel industry, once dominated by this country, lost market share due to the failure to invest in plants and equipment. The textile industry lost markets due to inexpensive, overseas labor. An investment today will assure the ability to compete in the future. Remember, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.