R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America “Fighting for the U.S. ! Cattle Producer” For Immediate Release Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard December 21, 2011 Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com 8 Days (Now 10) of Opposition to USDA’s Proposed Mandatory Animal Identification Rule: Part VIII of X-Part Series Billings, Mont. – To minimize the […]
Browsing Posts tagged animal
As USDA turns to ear tags over brands, cattle ranchers fear end of tradition By Colleen O’Connor The Denver Post The future of the hot-iron brand, an icon of Western heritage, is at the center of a nearly decade-long battle over cattle identification and traceability. “It’s the latest hot lightning rod,” said John Reid, an […]
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Since a new framework for animal disease traceability was introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last year, cattle raisers have been up in arms for fear that the centuries-old hot-iron branding methods may be on the way out. Instead, the USDA wants every cow to have a unique numerical ID, […]
Editor Comment: Rumblings from US cattle producers over USDA removing branding, their time tested tool to prevent cattle rustling, has reached the businss ears at WALL STREET JOURNAL. This article articulates the problem, yet straddles the fence of detail and fact. First, the “inexpensive ear tag” mentioned costs from $7 to $26 per critter and […]
Note:Sec Vilsack knows that 16% of the US 2010 consumed beef was imported. He knows that for the last 21 years the USA has not produced enough beef to feed the nation. Why then, pray tell, does he think it is important to export beef to China, much of which has to be purchased outside […]
Letter to the Editor The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) started a no-win war for the USDA. On February 5, 2010, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that NAIS was flawed and would be terminated, never to return. Now, and even when it was announced as dead, a new-name, Animal Disease Traceability Program is full […]
An electronic animal ID system has been the passion of USDA for over 18 years. Recently, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that hot iron branding was an acceptable form of future animal ID. History completely agrees with the secretary’s findings. Branding History The western cowboy did not invent hot iron branding. The documented history […]
Farmers Threatened
Small farmers and urban poultry owners alike are threatened by the USDA’s new proposal for animal identification. The agency has proposed a rule that imposes costs and paperwork burdens on farmers, ranchers, backyard poultry owners, sale barns, vets, and state agencies in order to track animals that cross state lines. The proposed rule is a […]