College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Process Verification: A Boon for Beef-Cattle Producers
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Process Verification: A Boon for Beef-Cattle Producers
Over the last five years, the U.S. beef-cattle industry has suffered from the closure of beef-export markets due to consumer fears about bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. Virginia Cooperative Extension has worked with the beef industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to train and educate Virginia beef producers about Process Verification Programs, voluntary programs that certify the age and source of beef cattle in an effort to meet export requirements.
Since the program’s inception in 2006, more than 330 beef-cattle producers in Virginia have registered as USDA-approved suppliers and marketed more than 13,000 of their calves. Scott Greiner, associate professor of animal and poultry sciences and Extension beef-cattle specialist, explains that this effort, in combination with other value-added strategies such as weaning and health management, has contributed more than $492,000 in income for the commonwealth’s beef industry.
As the highest level of certification, Process Verification Programs ensure stringent traceability requirements throughout the beef-production process from the beef producer to the consumer. Certification involves detailed procedures, record systems, and audit processes that a beef-cattle producer must follow to participate. In most cases, this also includes identifying cattle utilizing an electronic ear tag for tracing purposes.
USDA enumerates specific guidelines for selling U.S. beef in foreign markets. “These requirements outline the specific regulations of each country, including what products may be exported, processing regulations, and stipulations for the cattle producing the beef,” Greiner says.
Japan, one of the top importers of U.S. beef, requires that the age of U.S. beef not exceed 20 months. Many other countries, including Hong Kong, Mexico, and Canada, cap the age at 30 months.
Extension has trained beef-cattle producers about Process Verification Programs in partnership with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, the Southeast Livestock Network, and local producers groups.
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| In recent years, many livestock producers have begun identifying their cattle with an electronic ear tag to improve their traceability. This is often the case with participants in Process Verification Programs. |
Related Information:
Video News Release - Animal I.D. Program (QuickTime format): Small | Medium | Large