From the Desk of…:Premises registration continuing to expand

The concept of livestock premises registration continues to be a focal point for the Farm Services Agency as well as the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Livestock producers who comingle cattle know that efficient, effective, disease control efforts begin with good management of premises and identification of livestock. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), works with State and Tribal cooperators, in assigning unique Premises Identification Numbers to to actual locations involved in livestock commerce or the movement of animals or poultry.

In the event of an animal disease outbreak, animal health authorities will have this premises location data at their fingertips to ensure that disease investigations progress rapidly and efficiently.

According to Steve Glenn, Warren County FSA Committee Vice-Chairman, premises identification numbers will be assigned to actual locations, such as farmsteads, auction barns, processing plant or livestock markets. “The National Premises ID system includes the premises number allocator, premises registration systems, and a national premises information repository. These are all necessary components of the overall National Animal Identification System” said Glenn. A premises number allocator is maintained at the national level. Through this allocator, USDA can assign a unique premises number to each location where animals are raised, held, or boarded.

“A premises registration system is a database program” said Glenn. “It stores necessary information about the premises, which is assigned a unique identification number. In the event of an animal investigation, the information collected through the premises registration system would allow animal health officials to get in touch with the appropriate contact person quickly.”

Producers have raised questions about the tagging system to be used. While no definitive system to tag cattle has been determined, it is likely that cattle will be identified using a radio frequency tag while other animals such as goats, sheep, and horses will likely be identified using a radio frequency implant. Both tags and implants include only a 15-digit identification number for that animal.

Glenn encourages livestock owners and producers to move forward with registering their premises. “If you have animals on multiple premises, you can register all the premises under one premises identification number. If you lease a farm (premises) and want to register it, you will need the permission of the landowner to do so. Verbal permission is sufficient.”

Registering you premises does not mean that you have to begin to individually identify your animals at this time said Glenn. When the system becomes mandatory, animals will have to be identified when they enter commerce, that is, when they leave the herd of origin.

Producers who want to register their premises can stop by the Farm Service Agency Service Center and complete the application form. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the local Farm Service Agency county office, the Agricultural Extension Service, or by contacting Dr. Charles Hatcher, State Animal Identification Coordinator.