The Canadian bison industry plans to introduce electronic ear tags this year as a way to meet consumer demands for increased food traceability and to help producers more easily read their animals’ tags.
“The whole idea around the heightened awareness of food safety issues and the increased need for traceability is being heightened all the time by consumers. The bison industry realizes that is something we have to work towards,” said Mark Silzer, a producer from Humboldt, Sask., and president of the Canadian Bison Association.
“As more of these safety concerns like BSE crop up, I think you’re going to see those demands increase. It’s somewhat a proactive move.”
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He said the bison industry recognized the need for electronic ear tags after studying global trends, observing changes in the cattle industry and talking to auction markets, packing plants and producers.
“The traceability is something everybody realizes is going to be the next step in it,” Silzer said.
Like other livestock, bison must be fitted with a Canadian Cattle Identification Agency tag before leaving the home farm.
Silzer said the association also saw the need for ear tags that stayed in animals’ ears better than the present dangle tags.
“The electronic tags we feel are far superior from a retention standpoint.”
As each livestock industry moves closer to an electronic tagging system, different species will have individual electronic tag colours. The bison industry wants a white button tag with black numbering, which would allow inspector to visually ensure the animal has the correct tag.
The tags are estimated to cost $3 each and the electronic wand reader would be about $400.
No date has yet been set for when all bison must have electronic tags. Concessions will be made to use up the existing inventory first, Silzer added.
