We extend our sympathy to the family of Billie Banes who passed away December 20th. A longtime member of the staff at Hinds Community College, Banes was inducted into the Cattlemen's Hall of Fame in 1994.
Memorials may be made to the Billie Banes Scholarship, Hinds Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1100, Raymond, MS 39154.  

Herb Robertson, 87, died December 23rd after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Herb was a member of the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions Promotion Committee for 40 years and served 25 years as its president.

NCBA Chief Veterinarian Kathy Simmons reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a final rule establishing general regulations for improving the traceability of U.S. livestock moving interstate. The final rule f is expected to be implemented on February 26, 2013.
The final rule for animal disease traceability applies to sexually intact bison and cattle over 18 months, dairy cattle of any age, event and rodeo cattle of any age, cattle and bison of any age used for shows or exhibits when they move into interstate commerce. USDA APHIS gives authority to States and Tribes for what they accept within their jurisdiction in order to meet interstate requirements.

SOME DIFFERENCES TO THE FINAL RULE FROM PROPOSED RULE: 
*    Beef cattle under 18 months of age, unless they are moved interstate for shows, exhibits, rodeos or recreational events, are exempt from the official identification requirement in this rule. The specific traceability requirements for this group will be addressed in separate rulemaking.
*    Accepts the use of brands, tattoos and breed registration as official identification when accepted by shipping and receiving States or Tribes.
*    Maintains the use of backtags as an alternative to official eartags for cattle and bison moved directly to slaughter (for slaughter in 3 days).
*    Accepts movement documentation other than an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) for all ages and classes of cattle when accepted by the shipping and receiving States or Tribes.
*    Clarifies that all livestock moved interstate to a custom slaughter facility are exempt from the regulations.
*    Extends the phase-out period for manufacturer-coded Animal identification numbers ( AINs) from 12 months to 24 months from rule publication to make the transition less burdensome for producers.
*    Revises the official eartag and adding a new definition of official eartag shield. These changes will allow the State or Tribal postal abbreviation or codes within the US Route Shield in lieu of "US".

NCBA will continue to carefully analyze the final rule for animal disease traceability (ADT). NCBA called for a final ADT rule that minimizes costs to the producers, does not hinder the speed of commerce, does not replace or impede existing State and Tribal brand inspection activities and maintains producer confidentiality. At this time, it seems that the final ADT rule, as announced, achieves many of these goals.