Released: January 25, 2006

Animal ID and Technology Update To Be Focus of February Meetings

COLBY, Kan. – An update on the National Animal Identification System and technology used to implement electronic identification will be the focus of a series of meetings to be held in northwest Kansas Feb. 13-15, 2006.

The meetings, sponsored by K-State Research and Extension, will be held in four locations so producers can select from the location most convenient for them.

Kansas livestock commissioner George Teagarden will update producers on the status of the National Animal ID System and premise registration in Kansas.

Similar meetings held in January proved so popular that a decision was made to hold another series of meetings, said Sandy Johnson, K-State Research and Extension northwest area livestock specialist. As one of the presenters, she will address source and age verification requirements for export markets and new opportunities to capture value.

Producers will have the opportunity to see the components of an electronic ID system, up close and in action. Dale Blasi, K-State Research and Extension beef specialist and a national leader in radio frequency ID technology will discuss tag differences. Tag readers will be demonstrated and placement logistics and selection guidelines discussed. Options about the ways data collected from electronic identification systems can be used will also be discussed.

Time has been allotted for producers to ask questions pertaining to their individual operations.

The meeting dates, times, locations and contact telephone numbers are:

• Feb. 13 – 10 a.m.- Norton County 4-H Building, Norton (785-877-5755);

• Feb.14 - 9 a.m. – Osborne Livestock Auction, Osborne, (785-346-2521);

• Feb. 14 - 3 p.m. – Sheridan County 4-H Building, Hoxie (785-675-3268);

• Feb. 15 - 9 a.m. – Ellsworth Golf Course, Ellsworth (785-472-4442).

A pre-registration fee of $10 is requested by Feb. 6th to reserve a meal and materials. Registration will be accepted late, however there will be no guarantee of a meal or materials for those who register late. The Hoxie location will have no meal or registration fee, but does require pre-registration.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Sandy Johnson
sandyj@ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News