In September of 2008, COOL-Country Of Origin Labeling, will become a law. This means that all USA born  and raised animals will have to be identified for age and source, as well as all imported live and  processed animals entering the USA. What this means to us as calf and yearling producers is that our 2007 born calf crop will be subject to USDA Guidelines to age and source verify.

After attending many informative meetings and looking at many age and source verification companies, we have decided to use CattleLOG, a division of MicroBeef Technologies. This company offers a PVP Program, which is a requirement for animals moving through livestock markets in order to be age and source verified. This requires an Electronic Identification Tag in each animal and an on-site audit which will be a very simple and painless process and done by one of our Ogallala employees, such as when they come visit about consigning your calves. Producers, dont confuse CattleLOG with other programs such as a QSA Program, (A program that will not fit cattle going through livestock auction market.)

We dont have answers to all the questions, but in one sentence: Age & Source Verification is coming and  we need to follow the steps required to Age & Source Verify.

We have, and will be getting, more calls from feedlots large and small which require Age Verified cattle.In order for us to meet the needs of these people that buy our calves and yearlings, we really have no other choice but to comply. I think it is important that we understand that non-Age Verified cattle in thefuture would be discounted. For example, look at what has happened with Pre-Conditioning Programs.
Today non-pre-conditioned calves are bringing as much as 10 cents less than pre-conditioned animals.This relates to $50.00 per head on a 500 lbs. calf. In the future, non-Age Verified cattle will probably see the same discount.

Pre-conditioning and weaning times appear to be the most convenient times to ID your calves. This is right around the corner. So contact us as soon as possible to allow us time to make orders for the tags.

If anybody has any comments or suggestions, feel free to call us anytime.