6 minute read
CCIA Report
Tag Retention in 2022
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Tag retention is an integral part of the traceability system and has long been a focus of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA). Over the years, CCIA has collaborated on a number of research projects to better understand common issues and find solutions to concerns about lost tags, missing backs and poor overall tag retention.
From 2011 to 2015, CCIA embarked on the National Tag Retention Project which involved the formation of a sub-committee to complete a tag retention study in a variety of environments in Canada as a way of better determining the long-term retention rates and operability of the current set of approved CCIA radio frequency identification (RFID) beef cattle tags used in Canada.
Industry’s growing concerns regarding the effectiveness and long-term viability of the types of approved tags available, and the fixture mechanisms commonly used to manufacture tags for Canada, and poor tag retention within the value chain affects the accuracy and availability of livestock traceability data, which affects response time in an emergency (e.g., animal disease outbreak, flood, tornado, contaminated feed supplement recall).
In 2019, CCIA ran the Automated Trace Sighting Data Collection (Remote Pasture Reader) which studied the use of portable RFID reader stations, to collect sighted movement event data at remote co-mingling sites. These portable, solar charged devices could store and communicate data using cellular modems to deliver data to a CCIA landing server. While this research was not directly related to tag retention, it did offer promising data points for the potential of automated traceability practices in the future.
Recently, CCIA began working directly with manufacturers to improve issues reported from producers. This has resulted in enhancements and modifications to current tags on the market. Conformance testing of approved tags is conducted on a regular basis by CCIA. Annual testing is planned for early 2022. This testing ensures tags continue to meet the high standards of industry and CCIA. Tag retention will be the feature of CCIA’s targeted advertising in the Spring of 2022.
Tag retention is improving through direct action, which will help with the growing demand for traceability in our industry. Ultimately, much of the responsibility still falls on the producers, who are relied upon to correctly apply tags and respect the environmental limits of the materials.
By working together with both manufacturers and producers, CCIA is helping resolve the fundamental traceability issue of tag retention by addressing concerns through direct feedback from producers through the Approved Indicator Quality Control Form found on canadaid.ca under CLTS Forms (https://www.canadaid.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Approved-Indicator-Quality-Control-Form_fillable-2021-11-19.pdf).
NEWS & NOTES
Wanda Shannon Marsman 07-Jan-1970 - 08-Jan-2022
On January 8, 2022, Wanda passed away at Red Deer Hospice after a long and brave battle with breast cancer. Wanda was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing.
She is predeceased by her father Wilf Zohner, her mother in law Jenny Marsman and brother in law Darren King. Wanda will be lovingly remembered by her husband Eddie Marsman, her mother Dorothy Zohner, her father In law Gerrit Marsman, sister Wende Neufeld (Shane), brother in law Freddy Marsman (Anja), and her nieces and nephews: Megan, Michelle and Matthew King; Bart, Sanne and Lotte Marsman, along with great nieces Rayleigh and Eden Rose King.
Wanda was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta, and after graduating highschool, she attended Lethbridge Community College.
Other than her family, Wanda’s great love was for animals, and cooking. She was a top notch cattle breeder, selling genetics of the Hillsdown Gelbvieh herd worldwide. Along with the purebred registered Gelbvieh herd, she also loved her dogs, cats, horse and llama. She was also a tremendous bird lover, which is evident in the number of bird feeders and birdhouses all around the yard. The annual arrival of the purple martins was a huge event in her life.
Wanda was actively involved in the Delburne 4H beef club for a number of years, and also served on the board of directors for the Gelbvieh Association of Alberta and B.C., and was an active member of the Cumberland Community Hall, where she installed a horse shoe pit.
Wanda loved being involved in events of the cattle breed she loved so much. She was able to attend the Gelbvieh Show at Farmfair International in Edmonton in November, and the Gelbvieh Wishlist sale and Gelbvieh bull Futurity in December, where she and her husband Eddie were awarded Purebred Breeder of the Year, a crowning achievement on many years of breeding cattle.
At Wanda’s request, she was cremated privately, without a ceremony at this time. A celebration of life will be held in August at Hillsdown Ranch.
Wanda has set up the Hillsdown Foundation for women wanting to further their education in agriculture, preferably involving the Gelbvieh breed. Donations in her honor can be made to this foundation once it is fully set up, at which time we will notify everyone interested in donating.
The CGA extends its condolences to the entire Eddie and the family.
Daniel Roy ‘Dan’ Radomske 1956 - 2021
Mr. Daniel Roy ‘Dan’ Radomske of Innisfail, Alberta, passed away peacefully at Kneehill Valley, Alberta on Saturday, August 1, 2021 at the age of 65 years.
Dan Radomske, also known as ‘Buzz’ was born to John and Elsa Radomske on March 2, 1956. He was the youngest of five children, a little brother for Donna, Merlie, Carol and Doug. Dan graduated from Innisfail High School in 1974, then lived and farmed in the Kneehill Valley area throughout his life. Dan was known for his passion for Gelbvieh cattle operating as Valley Gelbvieh. In more recent years, his trout ponds, Junior Pheasant Program and being an avid hockey follower brought him joy.
Dan will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Tatyana Shkolyar, his children, Laurel (Joe) Lange of Clive, Alberta, Mark (Leah) Radomske of Calmar, Alberta, Maryna (Sergei) Mariukhnenko of Poltava, Ukraine and his seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Doug Radomske, his sister, Carol Severtson and their families, as well as the Calvert and Hawkin’s families.
Dan was predeceased by his parents, John and Elsa Radomske and his sisters, Donna Calvert and Merlie Hawkins.
The CGA extends it's sympathy to the Radomske family.
Barry Lawrence 1961 – 2021
Barry Lawrence passed on Tuesday, September 22, 2021 at the age of 60 years. Barry grew up on the family farm near Red Deer, Alberta and later took over the farm after his parents passed. His early childhood was spent exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and working on the farm. He was instrumental in introducing purebred Gelbvieh cattle to the farm, developing and managing the herd pedigrees. Barry was active in the cattle industry, working with other producers and showing cattle. Barry and Marina operated a Stitching Business providing customized clothing to various businesses. He was an active member of the Red Deer Fish and Game Association, co-chairing their Trophy and Awards Committee, and participating in their Black Powder and Archery Clubs. Later in life, Barry focused his interests on hunting, fishing, wood and metal work. He had a natural creative talent for designing and building unique metal and wood items.
Barry will be remembered for his hospitality and willingness to help others. He will be lovingly remembered by his sisters, Lorraine, Myrna (Ken), Donna (Ron) and his brother, Ken (Hedda). He will also be sadly missed by his cousins and many friends in the hunting, farming and crafting communities. Barry was predeceased by his wife, Marina and his parents,
Condolences from the CGA.
