01/17/05 Cattlemen discuss animal ID

Washington Ag January 17, 2005 Differences in cattle production and management made for different views by cow-calf producers towards USDA's proposed National Animal Identification Program during a panel discussion at last week's Ag Expo in Spokane. Okanogan country rancher Len McIrvin, said it's not what we do regarding animal ID, but who pays the bill. He believes his hot iron brand is complete ID. McIrvin: "We own these cattle from cradle to grave. We retain ownership until they go up the kill chain. We can identify these cattle. From our personal operation we will drag our feet on this as long as we possibly can maintaining that we know those cattle." Dic Coon Junior of Benge, Washington, didn't necessarily disagree with McIrvin, but said his families operation has used individual ID for some 40 years because of a cross-breeding program and he is participating in the Northwest Pilot Project on ID. Coon: "The animal ID program is much like an insurance program. It is something that is necessary to protect our industry and protect our herds. There was a lot of reluctance when Beef Quality Assurance came along 20 years ago. Now that is something that is pretty well accepted." USDA wants the ability to trace individual animals within 48 hours in the event of an exotic or foreign disease outbreak. I'm Bob Hoff.