9-28-2006 |
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FIRST WEST VIRGINIA CATTLE SET TO ENTER NEW MARKETING SYSTEM A program set to begin this fall will ensure that West Virginia cattle can be sold to as wide a clientele as possible. Close to 9,000 animals from 14 local “calf pools” are expected to be sold this year through the program, which will utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tag technology to streamline the process. The calves will be sold at two statewide board sales to be held at the Buckhannon Stockyard September 29 and at the Pendleton County Extension Office October 13. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the West Virginia University Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program have been working to implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP), which will certify the ages, birthplaces and other important data related to cattle marketability. “I have the utmost confidence in the health and wholesomeness of West Virginia beef,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “This program will simply provide assurance to buyers that cattle are of a safe age and come from an area with no animal health problems.” Calf pools are made up of local cattle producers who agree to specific health, vaccination and weaning practices that result in uniform lots of cattle. The cattle are graded on the farm by WVDA Marketing and Development personnel for frame size and overall condition. This background information allows remote buyers to participate in auctions over the telephone. PVP certification allows buyers to know up front what type of cattle they are buying. “This program is similar to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) we’ve been working to set up,” said WVDA State Veterinarian Joe Starcher. “Both programs are completely voluntary, both are confidential, and both rely on the same RFID technology to achieve their aims. The difference is the NAIS deals solely with managing animal disease outbreaks and the PVP is aimed squarely at making our cattle herd more marketable. Hopefully, this program will help our producers receive premium prices for their beef.” The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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