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December 16, 2004
BeefTalk: Premises Identification - How Does It Affect Beef Producers?
The year is creeping to an end, but the end of the year will not remove the challenges that were presented to beef producers this year. One process that looms on the horizon, not really shifting one way or the other, is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The Dickinson Research Extension Center has been working diligently to help the beef industry get a handle on the impacts of the NAIS. With all the efforts going on to assist the tracking or identification of cattle, there is little doubt the NAIS will culminate with answers that more than likely will impact producers and the industry. One hope is that more data will bring more value to the beef producer, while simultaneously the larger mission of a trace-back in the event of a disease concern is implemented. Both are overwhelming adjustments for the beef industry. In the end, real producer implementation and acceptance will be accomplished. The value rewards regarding the NAIS within the marketplace are still undetermined. The NAIS really has two parts, which are both under development. The first is the National Premises Identification System. In this case, according to the USDA, a premises is defined as “any geographically unique location associated with animal agriculture that would allow for the commingling or movement of animals or poultry that is involved in commerce.” Typical premises could include farms, ranches, feed yards, auction barns, livestock exhibitions, fair sites or any other similar location. These premises will be allocated a unique National Premises Identification Number, allowing for the subsequent tracking of animals if the need arises. The Premises Number Allocator is maintained at the national level. Through this allocator, the USDA “can assign a unique premises number to a valid address or verifiable location where animals come into contact with each other or to an address that has association with the animal industry.” The Premises Registration System is a database program that is the responsibility of the states and/or tribes. This is not available, but stay tuned because the process will be implemented very soon. Certain pieces of data entered into the Premises Registration System will be forwarded electronically to the National Premises Identification Repository. The repository centralizes data and is necessary to support the overall NAIS, according to the USDA. Information to be stored includes the premises street address, name and telephone numbers of people authorities should contact in the event of trace-back issues, the type of operation and the associated times and reasons for being in or out of the National Premises Identification Repository. The second major part of the NAIS is the Animal Identification Number (AIN). Although the premises identification number is not available, the process of assigning premises identification is going to be much simpler than assigning an individual AIN. According to the USDA, the AIN is a unique number assigned to each animal. The USDA will issue AINs to animal identification managers, who will be responsible for producing AIN devices. The AIN managers also will manage the AIN distribution network. Potential AIN distributors include breed associations, federal area offices, state departments of agriculture and identification companies, among others. The AIN is a lifetime number composed of 15 numeric characters. Each AIN will begin with 840, the internationally recognized country code for U.S. producers. The subsequent 12 digits will be selected randomly. The DREC, through the Calf AID program and with many other collaborators, is busy at work documenting just what the impacts of the NAIS will be. Stay tuned. May you find all your USAIP ear tags. Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com. For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.com on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0226. ### Source: Kris
Ringwall, (701) 483-2427, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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