ADT - What does it mean to me?

Many cattlemen in Illinois are reading or hearing about the recently announced final United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule for Animal Disease Traceability (ADT). At the suggestion of the IBA board, provided below are some points of information concerning the rule and what it means to Illinois beef producers.

 This is a federal rule regarding interstate movement of livestock; particularly beef cattle over 18 months of age. This is not National Animal Identification System (NAIS), so the vocabulary we’ve all acquired relating to NAIS over the last 10 years is mostly no longer in use.

·         ADT essentially requires cattle moved across state lines to be officially identified and accompanied by a health certificate. If a state you’re shipping cattle into requires or accepts something different; those differences will be determined by that state.

·         States can decide that they’ll accept registration papers and tattoos or brands as official identification if they so choose.

·         Beef cattle under 18 months of age (feeder calves) are exempt from this rule, but will be addressed under a separate rule later. We expect this later date to be more than two years away.

·         Cattle moved directly to slaughter are exempt from this rule.

·         USDA has provided a long description of what methods constitute official identification and approved ear tags. Brucellosis vaccination or “brite” tags are approved ear tags.

·         Beef cattle moved across state lines for shows, rodeos, or exhibits are subject to the rule. Note that many of these cattle already comply with the requirement of official ID and an accompanying health certificate.

IBA will continue to monitor the evolving discussions surrounding ADT and will make relevant information available to members. If you’d like to read the USDA’s official information on the program visit www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/