Question on CCIA Tagging?

[pandiana]

I went to a meeting yesterday where CCIA changes were reviewed. On the way home I got to thinking...
According to the newest regulations, cattle that must be tagged include cattle at community pastures, exhibition sites, test stations, veterinary clinics and deadstock. However, cattle owned by you but that are pastured elsewhere still do not require tagging. On the other hand, CCIA says all cattle must be tagged to be transported. If you hire a truck to take your cattle to your pasture, do they require tagging?

[grassfarmer]

Presumably the answer is yes. Although surprisingly a neighbour hauled in cows and calves from Sask. recently and although the calves were tagged the cows weren't - and a brand inspector allowed them through like that.

[rusty1]

Where was that CCIA meeting and with what group. Did they talk about the possibility of high or medium frequency RFID tags? And did they say which RFID tags are going to be available?

[pandiana]

Meeting was CBBC, Canadian Beef Breeds Council in Calgary.

Yes RFIA tags will be implemented January 2005. They are presently testing with 40,000 animals. Of 10 original tags, they are down to 5 as yet unnamed brands.

Cost is expected to be around $1.50. All bar code tags will be valid until such time as they run out. I think they said that they will cease production of the present tag when RFID tags become available.

Tags are species specific, i.e. buffalo can't use cattle tags.

[pandiana]

Another thing that may be of interest is that birth dates where available will take precedence over dentition. Apparently calving interval will also be considered for commercial cattle that do not record birth dates. I have a little problem with how this later proposal would work.

[kato]

I work at a vet clinic where we sell the tags. We got a notice saying we would no longer be able to sell the bar codes after Jan 1. 2005. Any cattle that have the barcodes can keep them for life. Any new tags put in after that will have to be electronic.

The catch here is that they told us that any tags we have in stock as of Dec 31 will have to be destroyed. We cannot return them to our suppliers. That means we are stuck for any stock on hand at the end of the year. This makes re-ordering new tags really tricky for us now.

I can see it being a real problem toward the end of the year if you are really stuck on a particular size and colour of tag. Supplies will get low, and we still don't have access to electronic tags. Stock up now, if you are stuck on a particular tag.

Truckers around here have been told that they are not to allow any cattle on the truck without a tag. Best thing is to just tag them all and get it over with.

[redcountry]

can we not began using the new tags before jan 2005?
they are now available from allflex.
when will they began using the birth date? there is nothing on this on the ccia web site! that i could find

[dalek]

Yes red if you need new tags, go for the RFID ones now. They're already being used in dairy.

[pandiana]

redcountry, I think they are still working out the details on birthdate thing. They are trying to figure out how to match birthdate to CCIA tags. I think they are going to mark it right on the tag although could be wrong. Don't quote me.

[grassfarmer]

Pandian, I can't see how they can run a date of birth system without going down the "passport" route like they did in Europe.
I was trying to be proactive last fall when I sold some calves - printed off a list of birthdates linked to eartag numbers and took it to the sale intending the auction to copy it and give it to the buyers - the Auctioneers coudn't be bothered informing buyers at time of sale.

[pandiana]

The did say that they would not go with the 'passport'.