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Michigan stands out with its cattle ID mandate

James Averill MI Ag Director NIAA (center)

Michigan’s mandatory cattle traceability system has been in effect for more than a decade, making it the only state in the U.S. with such a system.

Michigan Ag Director James Averill says the most common complaint from producers over the years is the cost, “You know, that $2.25 or whatever it might be for the tag is probably the most common complaint I hear.”

Michigan’s electronic id system started as voluntary, then became mandatory. The tags began with a cost-share program that went away and became 100% producer funded. Averill says the benefits of the ID system in Michigan are huge, “This has allowed us to maintain commerce and has helped return 95% of the state to TB-free status.” Five-million RFID low frequency tags have been issued in Michigan.

Averill was in a panel discussion at the Livestock Traceability Forum in Kansas City, organized by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.

 

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