Livestock Traceability

Mountain View County in partnership with Alberta Agriculture has a Gallagher Smart Reader HR3 available free of charge to County residents. It can be used for reading the RFID tags and for the age verification of livestock. The Gallagher tag reader comes with a weigh scale comms/power cable, 12 volt battery cable, Bluetooth RS232 adaptor with short extension cable, USB to RS232 cable, instruction manual, 15V DC battery charger (100-240 VAC), and MyScale Pro cd.
Some other uses of the SmartReader HR3 are: easy identification of individual animals, fast access to accurate information, automated drafting, reduced paperwork, full integration with other data bases, accurate record keeping for breeding, monitor animal health risks, full traceability for consumers, and enough memory for 5,000 tags.

New traceability regulations are in effect March 1, 2010

Alberta is strengthening its animal health and food safety legislation with the introduction of new regulations effective March 1, 2010. The Traceability Cattle Identification Regulation repeals the Traceability Livestock Identification Regulation. Click to view regulations on livestock traceability.

There are three Growing Forward Traceability Programs available to livestock producers. All three programs have been launched and there is currently funding available for projects that meet the eligibility criteria set by the program coordinators.

Traceability Pilot Project Program Eligibility

The Traceability Pilot Project is targeted at key participants in the livestock supply chain. Project selection and applicant eligibility will be based on the recommendations of targeted industry working groups.

Traceability Pilot Project Available Funding

Assistance will be on a cost shared basis between the government and the applicant, with a maximum payment of $100,000 per pilot project.

Program Launched September 1, 2009

Traceability Training Program Eligibility

The Traceability Training Program is targeted at:

• Industry boards, commissions and agencies
• Educational Institutions
• Non-profit organizations that represent the agri-food industry

Traceability Training Program Available Funding

100% of eligible transaction costs to a maximum payment of $25,000.00 per applicant

Program Launched December 1, 2009

Traceability RFID Technology Assistance Program Eligibility

The RFID Technology Assistance Program is targeted at:

• Feedlots/Backgrounders feeding more than 1,000 head of cattle annually
• Other supply chain participants will become eligible over the Growing Forward implementation period

Traceability RFID Technology Assistance Available Funding

Assistance will be on a cost shared basis between the government and the applicant on eligible expenses incurred as of April 1, 2009.

• If purchasing a hand-held reader(s) and software, the maximum payment per applicant is $3,000.00.
• If purchasing panel reader(s) and software, the maximum payment per application is $20,000.00.

Program Launched July 1, 2009

For more information on these and all of the Growing Forward Programs contact Amber Hines at 403-335-3311 ext 163 or amber.hines@mountainviewcounty.com or Alberta Agriculture at 310-FARM or visit the Growing Forward website at www.growingforward.alberta.ca