Source: Agriculture Dive
Starting November 5, cattle ranchers and dairy farmers will need electronic identification (EID or RFID) for certain cattle and bison being shipped out of state under a new USDA disease traceability rule. This regulation applies to dairy cows, sexually intact cattle, and bison over 18 months old, as well as animals used in rodeos or exhibitions. Intended to improve disease tracking, the rule replaces plastic tags, which often pose readability and traceability challenges. Existing plastic tags on animals before the deadline remain compliant for their lifetime.
The USDA argues that EIDs enhance export reliability and provide critical traceability amid disease outbreaks, like bird flu in dairy cattle. While Congress has allocated $15 million to assist with implementation, small and medium-sized farmers have raised concerns about costs, data privacy, and the rule’s export-focused benefits, which they believe favor large corporations. Ranching groups have urged Congress to block the rule, viewing it as a burden on smaller producers.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/cattle-id-tags-electronic-rfid-traceability/730577/
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