Evaluation of identification systems for exhibition animals and the ability of those exhibitions to comply with the National Animal Identification System

The purpose of this study was to observe select livestock exhibitions in order to determine if the exhibitions would be able to comply with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), should it be become a mandatory program. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the livestock identification systems that were in place at the exhibitions to check-in and release the following livestock species: beef cattle, dairy cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, sheep, and swine and (2) to identify additions and/or changes that needed to be made to make the systems NAIS compliant. During a time period spanning from January-November 2008, the researcher travelled to six different livestock exhibitions. The following exhibitions were evaluated: the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colorado, the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky, the Indiana State Fair (ISF) in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Indiana county fairs in Monroe, Putnam, and White counties. Data was collected as the researcher both participated in and observed the check-in and release procedures at the different exhibitions. In order to maintain consistency from exhibition to exhibition, the researcher maintained a standard set of questions and observed similar species of livestock at all exhibitions. In addition, observations were based on a HACCP plan and utilized the same seven objectives. Overall, results from the study indicated that livestock exhibitions, regardless of size, needed to implement several changes in order to become NAIS compliant. The study found that the biggest barrier to NAIS compliance was the differences between the exhibitions. Thus, results would also indicate that the implementation of an online, uniform computer system that can be linked between the exhibitions would be extremely beneficial. The study also found that exhibitions that require a PIN from exhibitors are more ready to become NAIS compliant than those exhibitions that do not require a PIN. Results of the study also indicate that a uniform animal identification system, such as RFID tags, would also increase the readiness of these exhibitions to become NAIS compliant by increasing the ability of the exhibitions to forward certain information to a tracking database within a certain timeframe. It was concluded that in order for livestock exhibitions to become NAIS compliant, similar entry forms, animal identification methods, health requirements, entry and exit points, and the implementation of a release form would be needed. Additional research needs to be done that focuses on different types of livestock exhibitions, such as those in the southern parts of the United States, outside of Indiana, or within organizations such as the National Junior Swine Association. This additional research would ensure a complete evaluation, as this study was confined to the National Western Stock Show, North American International Livestock Exposition, the Indiana State Fair, and county fairs within Indiana