November 8, 2007

Lansing - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto today announced that Michigan cattle producers have purchased over one million electronic identification (ID) tags.

“Over 11,000 Michigan farms supported this milestone by purchasing ear tags as part of our effort to eradicate bovine Tuberculosis (TB) from Michigan,” said Koivisto. “These radio frequency tags are helping protect the food supply by providing source verification and 48-hour traceability.”

The one millionth tag was purchased by Ken Nobis of Nobis Dairy Farms in St Johns. These tags highlight Michigan’s efforts to protect human and animal health, provide meat and milk safety, and provide producers with a marketing advantage. Michigan is the only state in the nation electronically identifying all cattle leaving a farm premises.

"Electronic ID is a useful tool for farm management. We have taken advantage of a government requirement and added value to our livestock," Nobis said. "Anyone purchasing our calves knows where they came from and how they were raised. They are getting a quality product straight from our farm."

Michigan has approximately 12,000 cattle farms and 1.2 million cattle. Cattle must be tagged when they leave a farm premises, or the producer must have the farm ID tags with him when he arrives at the saleyard. In addition, when cattle undergo an official bovine TB test, they are tagged with electronic ID.

Through the collaborative efforts of Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association, the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and MDA, compliance with the cattle tagging requirements at livestock markets is between 95 and 98 percent.

To obtain electronic ID, cattle producers should call the National Holstein Association at 800- 952-5200. To order or confirm a farm premises registration number, cattle producers in the southern Lower Peninsula or the Upper Peninsula should contact MDA at 866-870-5136; northern Lower Peninsula cattle producers should contact the Atlanta office at 989-785-5616.

For more information on bovine TB or electronic ID in Michigan please visit: www.michigan.gov/emergingdisease or www.michigananimalid.com.