Animal ID Program

Dairy Premise Registration is an Important First Step in the National Animal ID Program

Charles Stallings, Susan Puffenbarger, Andrew Overbay, Tina Horn, and Alan Grove
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg, VA

There is growing momentum on developing a plan for a national system that will track animals from birth to slaughter. This system is called the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) with most domestic species included with emphasis on commercial animals. The first phase will deal mainly with cattle with minor emphasis on the other species. The discovery of a cow in the U. S. with BSE in December 2003 has helped make this initiative a priority. A goal of the program is to be able to identify all premises that have direct contact with a foreign animal disease within 48 hours after discovery.
The first step of the plan is to identify the premises or location of the production units. This is basically where the records are kept and is totally voluntary, but likely to be mandatory at some point. It was hoped that most states would start premise identification in 2004. Premise identification will result in the assignment of a unique 7 digit number that will describe the location of the production unit. This number will, over time, replace other farm identifying numbers and can be obtained through a web based computer system. If you do not have access to a computer network, Virginia Cooperative Extension offices can be of assistance. Information needed would include name, address, telephone number, type of livestock (can be multiple species), and geographical information (GPS coordinates are generated from 911 numbers when available). Exceptions are possible when addresses do not match post office addresses or 911 addresses. It is possible to have a 911 address and not have a postal address since no mail is received. This is a special request that must be approved by the system administrator by e-mail.

In some cases cattle may be at two or more commonly managed locations and interchanged periodically. In this case one premise could be registered but under most conditions they should be registered as two premises. There is some individual preference allowed here.
    What about animal registration? Obviously it is important to have a premise registered before registering animals. Indications are that animal registration will begin the latter part of 2005. Tags will be available from private groups with coordination with USDA to obtain a unique 15 digit number. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is available and ear tags can use this technology. Readers in livestock markets will be able to automatically read the numbers similar to checking out of the grocery store. Markets will also be assigned a premise ID.
    Why would you want to participate? At first it will be only voluntary but at some time it might become mandatory to participate potentially as soon as 2008. Also as large buyers of cattle such as Wal Mart and McDonalds demand animal identity there may become a time w hen there is an economic incentive to have animals identified.
    If you are registering a premise you can do so by going to the web address: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/ and go to the National Animal Identification System. Most of the process is straight forward but there can be some unique situations that arise. These can usually be answered by contacting the site administrator. If you do not have internet access, you can get a paper application at your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. Also they can assist with internet access if you prefer. Alternatively you can contact one of us at the following numbers.

FAQs for the Virginia Premise Registration Program

Additional web sites:

New
USDA 'Spotlight' Videos and Updates

iDairy

National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

United States Animal Identification Plan

Resources, etc.

Charlie Stallings, Dairy Science Department, Virginia Tech 540-231-3066
Tina Horn, Augusta County Cooperative Extension Office 540-245-5750

Animal ID Program...

Additional web sites:

Resources, etc.