MCA Attends State Animal ID Meeting

MCA Vice-President Kim Baker and past MCA presidents Paul Ringling and Dennis McDonald attended the Premise Registration and Animal ID meeting held at the Board of Livestock on August 11, 2008.  Most of the state livestock organizations were present for the round table discussion.

During the meeting it was learned USDA mandates that each state veterinarian promote voluntary premise registration.  The Department of Livestock has contracted with the marketing firm of Snitily Carr to promote voluntary premise registration in Montana.  The $60,000 cost of this project will be funded from the $170,000 USDA grant issued this year.  Other livestock organizations that have shared in this grant are Montana Wool Growers, Farm Bureau, Montana Stockgrowers, and the Montana Dairy Association. 

As of August 3 only 4.9% of Montana's premises have been registered.  The national average is 33.2%.

It is clear that Montana producers are skeptical of these proposed programs.  MCA again took the position that a cost-benefit-risk analysis should be completed by the Government Accounting Office before the matter is further considered.  Producers simply lack the data to make an informed decision on this issue.  It is clear, however, that serious flaws exist in the program as proposed.  The confidentiality issue was discussed along with whether Montana needs to be involved in any such program.  Given Montana's hot brand system, the success in tracking brucellosis infected cattle,  and the great dedication and expertise within the Board of Livestock, it's hard to imagine an improvement could be made to the "Montana system".  Further, the ultimate cost of any such program seems to make the net benefits marginal at best.

MCA expresses its thanks to the Board of Livestock and Christian Mackay for hosting this round table meeting.