I BRATTLEBORO, VT. - Will take an incident of "Mad Cow Disease" to force the U.S. live stock industry to crate a system to identify animals and track their movement throughout the production chain? Not if Holstein Association USA has anything to say about it. The Holstein Association USA has anything to say about The Holstein Association is taking a practice approach to develop an infrastructure that would prepare our country for any similar event and to prevent it from devastating the industry. National Farm Animal Identification and Records (F.A.1.R.), a model for a national identification system for dairy, will be one of the first steps in a comprehensive livestock ID sys tem. F.A.I.R. will design a unified system of animal identification to help ensure that public and private efforts to improve ani mal health/disease control, food safety, trade, and genetic advancement are successful. The model recently received funding support from USDA r #w ntilJition •ty'tlr'tutm ß*> w ' — i-AJ \s r Agricultural Heaters models from 40,000 BTU to 225,000 BTU The Purafire heater provides a consistent, cleanburning and fuel efficient source of warmth for all types of poultry and swine houses With near 100% efficiency, it uses less energy to yield greater BTUs for your money These fiberglass electrically heated mats provide a warm bed for baby pigs and help increase the of Pigs per litter qAb __ Sizes available: Singles: 12"x36" • 12"x48" • 12”x60” Doubles: 24"x36" • 24”x48" • .■24”x60” Triangles: 27”x27”x40" Brooder Heat Units, Electronic H Thermocouple Brooder Sockets FEEDING FEED BINS We assemble, deliver and set up bins on your farm •Weather tight die-formed roof * Stronger engineered sidewalls * Ground controlled fill caps * Galvanized roll-formed legs * Engineered leg braced systems * Fast flowing hopper m Flex-flo™ AUGER SYSTEM in 21/4” dia. to 5” dta. -S3B £ Service Farmer Boy Ag Systems t 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 jJMfej & 1/3/98 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 Holstein Association USA Taking Proactive Role In National Livestock Identification System APHIS and will be coordinated by the Holstein Association. In early 1996, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding provided indus try support for the consideration of such a model demonstration. The project will be tested in four states: New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and California. The model is intended to unify animal identification pro grams and link animal record ing systems to provide accurate, complete, and cost-effective information that meets needs of the various segments of the industry. The demonstration will provide for the design and testing of methods to track ani mals from farm to farm, farm to market, and market to slaugh ter. Identification methods will include both RFID transponders and visible plastic ear tags. In addition to identification sys tems and methods, issues of electronic data flow, data base administration and accessibility will be established. The National F.A.I.R. project is supported by APHIS's National Animal Health Programs. "The Holstein COLD WEATHER IS HERE with the S Shenandoah Radiant GAS BROODERS Heats like the Sun and very fuel efficient with 40,000 BTU/h KflNE'6 Heat Mats y~j/ Par Heal I ■>— 500 Animal Scale This rust resistant steel scale Is used for weighing up to the largest hog. The entire unit serves as the weighing area so that an animal leaning on the sides won't prevent an accurate reading ■to rf Association's experience in ani mal identifications and long tern efforts for improving the system in the United States makes them a natural for leading the efforts for this program," said Bill Ford, Staff Officer at USDA's National Animal Health Programs. "The vast support throughout the industry is a real catalyst for successful results." "While the project is relative ly small in comparison to pro jects in other countries, we are anxious to develop a model that will help us answer many ques tions that have been very diffi cult to get our hands around," said Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator for the National F.A.I.R project. Hammerschmidt is the Executive Director, Dairy ll i PAR HMt Lamps Think of them as “Life Bulbs lyPia'^n Litter Scale An entire litter can be placed In the portable WayPlg at one time. The new oversize scale gives a clear readout of the weight in pounds and kilograms, the compact design allows it to glide easily through aisles and around tight comers. j Hour*: Mon-Fri 7 to 6:30 Sat 7:30 to Noon Herd Services at the Holstein Association. "The alignment we have established with APHIS is very significant as we develop one ID system that supports all seg ments of the industry," he added. Joan Arnold, Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services, USDA-APHIS, empha sized the importance of animal identification. "It is the basis for our success in controlling exist ing diseases and protecting against new diseases. We must devote time and effort to ID sys tems which support protection." The F.A.I.R. project will incorporate the American ID numbering system, a unique "social security-type" number I; ■ " Have ‘Strawberry-Warts?” Apply TETRA-SALVE 2 -1% Tetracycline HCL in waterproof base ■ • Waterproof base acts like a liquid bandage and prevents wash-off ■ due to mud, wet floors, wet grass, and snow. ■ • 4-oz. Tube Treats 5 Head * • Also useful for cuts & abrasions ■ • Excellent for preventive use from bacterial infections s ■ \ Call any dealer above 0r... Send $20.00 plus $2.00 S&H - check or money order t 0... HAWKEYE-JENSEN, INC. Call 51 Faust North Road or 717-933-5595 Bethel. PA 19507 leave meseage if no anawer NAME ADDRESS PHONE NO. fllinca&f TMffidngr&rtifr&yr diMAy WW-AM ’ ? -t' * N V «*> V & which will be assigned and attached to each animal. Using sophisticated computer systems, a national database will be cre ated to track the movement and progress of the animal through out its entire life. USDA's new food safety regulations and the National F.A.I.R. system will give the U.S. the tools that it needs to enhance farm animal food quality and safety. "This is a critical project for the entire livestock industry," Steve Kerr, CEO of Holstein Association USA said. "As USDA's successful eradication program for Brucellosis draws to a close, the void in animal iden tification in the United States will quickly become much more (Turn to Pag* A 34) < <■}<{- '■Js *
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