In other efforts to use technology to track animal herds in the U.S., a new agribusiness-sponsored group was formed this week to help implement a comprehensive database for all animals and enable compliance with the NAIS. The United States Animal Identification Organization (USAIO) formed a board and has submitted a memorandum of understanding with the USDA outlining its plans for a public-private partnership.

One of the industry organizations sponsoring the USAIO is the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), which has in recent months been pushing the creation of a private database. The USDA itself has been leaning in that direction, said Rick Stott, a USAIO board member. Stott is also an Idaho-based cattle producer and sits on the NCBA's animal identification commission.

A USDA spokeswoman said the agency's policy is to help create a privatized database. However, she said, multiple databases could be a part of any final system.

The USAIO this month will roll out a pilot program using software from Viatrace LLC., a South Burlington, Vt.-based vendor of tracing systems. Its SQL Server-based application will be live next month. Although the database is now located at Viatrace's headquarters, the USAIO is looking for an alternate site to host it, said Stott. A CEO and CIO to manage the project will also be hired within six months.

Stott said the Viatrace system will allow ranchers and other livestock producers to log in via the Web and enter relevant data using a spreadsheet format or XML formatting. The exact means of gathering the information, whether through RFID tagging or bar code-based readers, has not been decided. Ranchers will be able to access the system during the pilot and offer feedback on its usability and functions, said Stott. He predicted that the database could cost as little as 30 cents for each animal entered into it, which would make it attractive to smaller livestock producers.