During the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee was briefed on the H591 avian influenza virus. North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Vice President Randy Schmitt said traceability and the use of RFID tags were also discussed. One example was given. “It was a particular animal in South Carolina and within 15 minutes they knew it came from Tennessee and they had it every stop and the sales barns it was in,” said Schmitt. “In 15 minutes they knew exactly where this cow came from, where it had been and where it’s final destination.” Schmitt says the traceback technology has made huge advances. “Look back to 2003 when we had the cow that stole Christmas and it affected every producer for way too long. If we can get this down to minutes and hours versus what it was 20 years ago, we made huge strides.”
