WLIC Animal Identification Demonstrations at Farm Technology Days

       VERONA, WI (June 27th, 2008) Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC), together with AgSource Cooperative, UW-Extension, Valley Ag Software, and Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, will demonstrate the latest in animal identification techniques and their practical application with on-farm herd management at Farm Technology Days, hosted by Country Aire Farms near Greanleaf, Wis. in Brown County, July 15-17, 2008. 

Using live cattle, WLIC will offer dairy identification demonstrations in the Applied Technology Center Tent and beef identification demonstrations in the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Beef Tent throughout all three days of the event. 

The dairy demonstrations will highlight the use of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID)  with herd management software already in place and successfully used on the Country Aire Farms operation.  Live animals will be included to show how the identification technology works in daily uses such as herd health programs, breeding of animals, and sorting of animals for example.  Valley Ag Software will showcase the latest animal ID software and management practice tips, while AgSource will demonstrate how such equipment can work together with the DHIA milk testing system.  Allflex representatives also will be on hand with RFID readers and discuss how this new technology works between readers and software.

            Livestock owners will have the opportunity to handle the equipment and ask questions.  WLIC staff will be available at their booth in the Wisconsin Cattleman’s

Association Beef Tent to answer questions about premises registration, and how these ID devices work together with official disease programs. 

The demonstration areas will allow livestock owners a first-hand look at the latest applications and how these tools can be incorporated into their management practices.  As animal identification technology continues to evolve, it will become more accessible and cost-effective for livestock owners to use in herd management, marketing, industry and disease traceability programs.

“Premises registration and animal identification are key components in safeguarding livestock owners and industry from the introduction and spread of a major livestock disease,” said Robert Fourdraine, WLIC chief operating officer. “The use of progressive animal identification technology promotes labor efficiency and increased accuracy for livestock management, while bringing us one step closer to our goal of being better prepared to respond within 48 hours in the event of an animal disease outbreak.”

The mission of the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium is to create a secure nationally compatible livestock identification system for the purposes of protecting animal health, safeguarding market access, and offering opportunities to enhance the marketability of Wisconsin livestock products.  Representing more than 50 businesses, organizations and livestock-related associations, WLIC draws upon the collective strength of its diverse membership to help lead nation-wide improvement and advancement in animal traceability.