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Farm Animal Identification and Records (F.A.I.R.) By Neil Hammerschmidt
Animal identification has a tremendous impact on production agriculture. Its significance to management, breed improvement, animal health and food safety warrants the livestock industry to aggressively pursue a national identification program. Providing a greater competitive edge for U.S. producers can be accomplished with broad farm animal identification.
A "National Identification Program", in this reference, provides a unified system for animal ID in a voluntary program across the entire United States for:
Herd Management Food Safety Breed Programs Performance Recording & Quality Animal Health/Disease Control and Eradication Assurance Programs Genetic Evaluations
The utilization of a unique lifetime identification number is paramount for the successful administration of a voluntary national identification program.
Farm animal identification has been an issue of discussion for many years. Previous attempts to "unite" the ID programs by various user groups have been successful in developing consensus of opinions, but no implementation has resulted. The Universal Identification numbering system was supported by various segments of the industry in 1990. American ID, an abbreviated version of Universal ID number, provides for a "within" country solution to a unique-lifetime number.
Many of the "foundation issues" for a national identification system have been identified and many have achieved consensus. Progress on animal ID, however, will not happen haphazardly--a plan to bring forward such fundamentals in an action oriented approach is essential.
National F.A.I.R. is a concept for the purpose of initiating action plans for the development of a national identification program. Implementing the American ID number and National Premises ID across various segments of the industry is the primary fundamental from which to build. Participants in National F.A.I.R. will incorporate the recommendations that various identification industry work groups have developed. Additional details relative to administrative requirements, recording processes, documenting standards, formats for data storage and exchange, etc. must be determined.
National F.A.I.R.
Objective: To unify animal recording systems that support the voluntary identification of farm animals in a national program for the betterment of the agricultural industry.
Desired results:
Improved genetic advancement programs Advancement of integrated herd management and animal recording systems Improved herd management programs and services Improved animal health, disease control and eradication programs Increased assurance of safe and high quality food Improved databases & increased access of animal information Improved financial management and analysis services
Potential Participants:
Producers DHIA System Breed Associations AIs/NAAB National Cattlemens Beef Association Packers Livestock Markets State Veterinarians American Association Bovine Practitioners USDA/AIPL USDA/FDA USDA/APHIS USDA/FSIS USDA/GI,PSA
Additional Users:
Financial Institutions Dairy Consultants Herd Health Veterinarians Nutritionists Cattle and Embryo Marketers System Integrators
Dairy Equipment Companies Livestock ID Suppliers Electronic ID Vendors Farm Software Vendors
National F.A.I.R. - ACTION STEPS (Preliminary)
ACTION STEP: Initiate the implementation of a national ID numbering system
Incorporate National Premises Identification established by the swine industry Establish systems to administer the American Identification Numbering System Unique - lifetime number for each animal Country code (3) plus 12 (alpha/numeric) Additional fields (species, breed, sex and status) allow for Universal ID
ACTION STEP: Establish joint plans with USDA agencies
Develop protocols with appropriate agencies for the national identification program
ACTION STEP: Develop and implement cooperative efforts with state veterinarians and herd health practitioners
Incorporate National Premises and American ID with herd health programs Develop systems for the electronic submission of animal health records from the farm/practitioners to databases.
ACTION STEP: Develop standards for tagging options using the national number(s)
Standards for quality (retention, readability, etc.) Uniformity for a consistent program (size, tag combinations, etc.) National F.A.I.R. logo to reflect an animals enrollment
ACTION STEP: Develop systems for the administration of the ID databases
Identify resources for the establishment of databases Confirm access and availability of databases & animal records Establish format specifications Establish database links to "shared data"
ACTION STEP: Develop electronic data flow processes for the allocation and tracking of the American ID number
Manage the American ID number electronically to maximize accuracy and efficiency Minimize producer involvement - no extra work
ACTION STEP: Develop data flow methods for the electronic processing of animal records
Electronic flow of animal records from the farm to databases
ACTION STEP: Incorporate Electronic ID (EID) technology in the national ID program
Support ISO standards to enhance the successful integration of EID technology Partner with EID vendors to assist with the integration of EID systems
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