Age and Source Verification for the Cow-Calf producer

Following the first U. S. case of Bovine Spongioform Encephalitis (BSE, i. e. Mad Cow Disease) in December, 2003, it looked as if all cattle producers in the country would have to comply with some sort of animal identification program. But, here it is, the year 2009, almost 2010,  and there is still no mandatory animal ID program across the country.  But, following the BSE case, Japan and other foreign markets for American beef cut off U.S. exports to their country.

The Japanese and other foreign markets have now been reopened to U.S. beef, but with restrictions.  To meet those restrictions, U. S. beef producers must follow some documentation and verification requirements through a recognized USDA program.  The program is commonly called Age and Source Verification.

Age and Source Verification Programs

There are really two programs instituted by USDA, one being the USDA Process Verified Program (PVP).  The PVP certification is not a program an individual producer or groups of producers are really interested in undertaking.  It applies mostly to packing plants or beef processors.

According to USDA’s website at http://www.ams.usda.gove/lsg/arc/qsap.htm, “The USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) program provides suppliers of agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services.  It is limited to programs or portions of programs where specified product requirements are supported by a documented quality management system.  The specified product requirements may be identified by the supplier or in a USDA Export Verification (EV) program.”

QSA certification requires lots of records, some labor and money to establish.  The program is audited on a regular basis and must also have auditing procedures as part of the certification.  Those with approved USDA QSA programs include packers and large beef feeders, and some breed associations and other groups in the beef cattle industry.

So, since the implementation of the USDA QSA program, age and source verification has taken on a new meaning.  For calves to be truly Age and Source Verified, they have to be enrolled in a QSA program, such as International Brangus Breeders Association’s OptimaxX® program.  American Angus Association also has their AngusSource®  and there are probably other Age and Source Verified programs available.  Producers just need to check in their area or with their breed association to see what’s available.

All the above information is to point out that no longer can a producer just say, “These calves are age and source verified.”  That’s now like saying, “These calves have had all their shots.”  And, a signed affidavit will not substitute for documentation provided through a USDA approved QSA.

What’s required for Age and Source Verification?

To sell calves as Age and Source Verified, cow-calf producers will be providing information to an approved QSA or PVP program.  The information provided to QSAs is specific for each QSA program.  All this is to say, the bottom line in this new time of age and source verification is records and documentation.  That’s where a computer software record keeping program such as CattleMax® comes in handy!

Basic recommendations for Age and Source Verified include:

1. Tag all cows, calves and bulls with a unique number.  Tag calves at or near birth.
2. Keep detailed calving records – including calf ID, dam ID, calving date and sex of calf.  Most ASV programs require, at the least, the date of the first calf born and the date the last calf was born.
3. Keep records of all cattle sales.
4. Record all vaccinations, dewormings, implanting and health treatments.

All these records need to be kept for three years after the birth of the animal.  Producers will be required to show the actual records to auditors for the QSA program, if requested.

These types of detailed records are certainly hard to keep in a notebook on the dash of the pickup truck, especially for three years!  You may not need to enroll in an Age and Source Verified program at present, but, down the road, it’s probably going to be a good idea to be able to provide the type of information required by the program in order to market your calves for the highest possible price.  And, with the costs involved in the cattle business today, we all need to get every penny we can when we sell our cattle.

Are you involved in an Age and Source Verification program?  How’s it working for you?