The USDA is in the process of reviewing their Animal Disease Traceability program. South Dakota Stockgrower’s Executive Director Silvia Christen attended one of their recent meetings on the review in Denver. She says while the present system is operating well it needs to be improved to enhance compliance.

She says the Ag Department is considering expanding ADT and her group is opposed to that.

Christen says if the Animal Disease Traceability is ecpanded to require IDing of feeder cattle it would be cost prohibitive.

Christen encourages producers to submit comments on USDA’s proposal which can be done by going to the USDA website or through the federal register. The next Animal Disease Traceability meetings are set for May 24 in Billings, Montana and July 18 in Omaha,Nebraska.