FAIRVIEW, Alta. – Alberta’s brand inspection business has officially ended all ties with the provincial government, which has operated the cattle identification system since 1878, when the region was still a territory.
Two years ago the government privatized Alberta’s brand inspection services. The service of registering and monitoring brands of cattle was taken over by Livestock Identification Services Inc., based in Calgary.
The company continued to lease Alberta Agriculture’s brand inspection computer system for two years until it developed its own program, said Ken Weir, general manager of LIS.
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Staff at the Stettler office, where the data was entered into the computer, were given six months notice that the office would be closed Nov. 1.
Now, instead of the brand paperwork being shipped by more than 100 staff in 34 offices to be entered into Alberta Agriculture’s computer network, brand inspectors will enter data into computers at the auction markets or feedlots where the animals are inspected, said Weir.
Two of the Stettler staff will continue to work for the new privatized company from their homes.
Information entered on-site
Entering the brand information on site will speed the sometimes lengthy paperwork process after each auction market sale, he said.
LIS is experimenting with hand-held recorders to allow the inspectors to walk from pen to pen entering the brand information. Brand inspectors will use the recorders in trials this winter to see if they work in Alberta winters.
“Hopefully it will work by next year’s fall run.”
Weir said he is confident there will be a smooth transition to the new computer system. Information was entered in both the old and new systems for a month during the busy fall run.
Within two weeks, producers will be able to register and buy brands on the LIS website.
Alberta agriculture minister Ty Lund has appointed a staff member, Cliff Munroe, as an ex-officio member of the LIS to ensure the new privatized company enforces the acts and legislation.
