WLIC ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION DEMONSTRATIONS
AT FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS
VERONA, WI -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'sAssociation BeefTent 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.
