Challenges of Animal Identification in the West Prepared by:
Russell Tronstad, Ph.D. Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics University of
Arizona Western Center for Risk Management Education Western
Extension Marketing Committee Unique Issues for West Geographic
terrain Land ownership Production-management systems + Summer and
winter ranges Grazing associations + Multiple herds in same pasture
+ Tribal herds Long-Term Precipitation Beef Calf Crop, % 19% 40%
Western Settlement History After Civil War Miners, Loggers,
Railroaders, and Settlers Longhorn Cattle + drive over long
stretches with no water Settlement Acts Forest Service (1905)
Department of Interior Land Ownership of U.S. 47% of land is
federally managed in the West Geographic Production Challenges
Rugged terrain Stocking density of West Large distances between
summer and winter ranges Wildlife interactions Drought frequency
and associated cattle movements Ownership Challenges Owners with
multiple ranch locations Cattle with multiple owners Branding and
Brand Inspections + insufficient for traceback Intermingling of
cattle herds in summer grazing ranges People Challenges Independent
nature of individuals. Skepticism among Native Americans Animal IDs
/ Tribal Producers Importance of encryption Time to Implement
Summary An animal ID system needs to fit within existing ranch
activities and operations Animal ID needs to compliment ranch
management activities to be cost effective Brands and brand
inspection laws in the West are insufficient for trace back of
U.S.s food supply
