05/31/06 WCA exec on Aussie ID system

Washington Ag May 31, 2006 Washington Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Jack Field visited Australia this past month to research the Aussies National Livestock Identification Scheme. Field says he was told one thing over and over again during his visit. Field: "Several producers, or just industry people, thanked me, or thanked the U.S., they said thank you for taking your time in implementing a system. The longer you wait the more market share we are able to take and capitalize on. So they clearly have made it their mark to take advantage of those export markets by providing an ID system to their customers." Field says the Australian's have faced many of the same issues the industry is facing in Washington state; group versus individual ID, premise registration and entering movement data. But the Australians have found a way to work through most of those issues and are now focusing on investing $2.50 to $3.00 of their recently increased $5 a head beef checkoff on international marketing. Field: "They want to focus on China, Korea and Japan because they know the United States has been locked out and they are well aware of us coming back." Field says one the most important messages he heard was to be sure when you decide on a system that you stick to your decision and do not change. I'm Bob Hoff.