08/06/07 Milk producers join NAIS effort

The National Milk Producers Federation has become the newest animal identification partner joining the National FFA, US Animal Identification Organization and the National Pork Board. USDA Undersecretary Bruce Knight says the milk producers' federation will facilitate the registration of dairy farm, calf and heifer growing operations. KNIGHT "Dairy is stepping up to the plate with a goal of taking the entire industry to 100 percent premises registration within a year's time." NMPF is leading the IDairy effort. Since the consortium was established two years ago 30 thousand dairy producers have registered their premises. KNIGHT "Between 12 thousand 500 and 25 thousand operations that need to be down out there and we look forward to working with them." Knight says USDA partnerships with industry groups are designed to promote animal health by giving producers the information they need and the department's goal of 48 hour traceability. KNIGHT "You have to plan for the most rapid and the worse case scenario. That's what takes us to 48 hour traceability and that's why with today's technology we hope to be able to take the traceability system that currently may take weeks and move that down to 48 hour traceability." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott