Cattle programs, regulations to be discussed at meeting
Herington Livestock Market will host an informational meeting and dinner on at 6:30 p.m. Oct 27 at the sale barn to address current programs and regulations in the cattle industry. There is no cost for the dinner.
This meeting is to help producers and others in the livestock industry understand the new government regulations on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), which went into effect Sept. 30, 2008. The 2007 Farm Bill passed in May 2008 kept intact provisions for this retail-labeling program.
The labeling program requires retailers to ensure that covered commodities, which includes beef, are labeled with country of origin at point of sale. Any person who supplies a covered commodity to a retailer must maintain records to identify the immediate previous source and immediate subsequent recipient of the product.
Documents that can be used are animal health papers, normal business records or producer affidavits.
The record must identify the product unique to that transaction, by a lot number or other unique identifier, for one year from the date of the transaction.
Packers must have records in their possession or have access to records of the livestock supplier that validate the country of origin information.
Herington Livestock will gather and store these affidavits for the required period of time for all producers selling their livestock there or purchasing cattle.
A short presentation also will be given concerning a pre-calf health program.
Mark Nelson from Kansas Farm Bureau will be on hand to discuss and explain age and source verification. There will be a question and answer period. For more information, call Herington Livestock market in Herington at 785-258-2205.
Last modified Oct. 22, 2008