I know that it has been a while since the agriculture community has talked about the National Animal Identification System (“NAIS”). As most of my readers know, the program is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) and participation is currently voluntary. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) expressed concern over NAIS. In February …
New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP): Cattle Welfare Program
I first heard about the New York State Health Assurance Program (“NYSCHAP”) last January at the New York Beef Producers’ Assocation (“NYBPA”) annual meeting in Syracuse. After an inquiry about the program from a New York cattle producer, I had Kathy Finnerty, the program’s coordinator, send me informational materials about NYSCHAP. As I said in this article, I recommend that cattle producers …
YPC Spotlight: Interview with Brandon Carlson
Last January in Phoenix at the annual convention, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) organized Young Producer’s Council (“YPC”)– a suborganization under NCBA for members ages 18-35. YPC serves as a great way for young people to get involved in NCBA. YPC elects producer members to be a voting member on NCBA. YPC is chaired by Dustin Dean and vice-chaired by Steven …