Data Management & Animal ID

Welcome to ICA's Data Management & Animal Identification Program!

Increased Knowledge.

Welcome to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association data management and animal identification system and to the exciting world of data management. This division of the ICA, has completed its sixth year of working with Midwest cattle producers. The ICA system is a management tracking and animal identification division that officially opened for business on August 5, 1998. This program offers producers various opportunities to learn more about the quality and consistency of the beef they are producing through the creation of a database which, will track calves from birth to box. The national identification (ID) program will utilize this type of tag. In addition, tagging calves with this system can help bring you into compliance with the source verification and birth certification. Producers can buy into the system, which includes electronic eartags, for a per-head fee.

“Currently, more than 150,000 animals have been tagged into the system. There are several ways to get on board,” says Kellie Carolan, Database Manager. “Producers can pay a per-head fee, buy a computer and reader and tag the cattle themselves, then send the information to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Or, producers can create a ‘bar code herd,’” says Carolan. The bar code sheets (Figure 1), which correspond with the electronic eartags, are then sent to the ICA office with the information recorded in written form. This system allows producers to work cattle whenever they choose, without the expense of a computer and reader.

In addition to the 150,000 animals tagged, more than 50,000 animals have been harvested and carcass data collected on each individual animal. From that information, producers can make management decisions based on how well their cattle performed on the grid.

Feedlot research has shown that an average pen of feedlot cattle has a real value range of $300 to $400 per head within the pen. This is due to the difference in individual performance and carcass traits. Individual animal tracking can help you identify the more profitable cattle.

Increased Efficiency.

Enrolling in the ICA system has never been easier. We have three methods to choose from, depending on your operation:

Method 1: Entry Level or Production Level Identification System

This system is the easiest and preferred way to get onboard the beef information highway. From our offices, we can scan the EID tags into your database. We will ship you these sheets and tags to apply and record your data. In essence, you give us your information and we will enter it for you. The entry level identification system includes the following fields: EID number, visual ID, origin, sex, birth date, and color. Production level includes all of the entry level data along with dam ID, sire ID, calving ease, birthweight, weaning weight, age of the dam and the weight at the feedlot. Please call a minimum of 48 hours in advance of when you need the tags. Tags will be shipped by UPS. Taggers are available for purchase ($25). If later on, you wish to move to a “Do It Yourself” system, we will transfer all the data from the ICA database to your individual computer. Please see pricing structure on the back of this brochure.

Method 2: Do It Yourself

If you know how to use Microsoft Windows, and you need or would like more than the base information provided in the activated tag system, we strongly encourage you to consider this methodology. In this method, you can also collect more than just the pre-set data fields found in Method 1. Your cost, in addition to the tags, will be the necessary computer equipment to perform the tasks and a $20 annual service fee for software updates. Currently, there are numerous reader options that range from $350 on up. Please contact ICA staff for more information on hardware options, such as tag readers.

Method 3: On-farm assistance from certified providers.

Through an agreement between ICA and approved service providers, a technician will come to your operation, apply the tags, and send the electronic file to ICA. Many technicians have portable chutes with scales, or can use your chute. They will bring the tags, the reader and the necessary computers to record the information. ICA Service Provider Listing

Collect carcass data.

Carcass data is important for all producers to collect. But, the key to collecting carcass data is to then do something with it. Data is just data until it has been analyzed and utilized by the producer, either to benchmark against other cattle and/or to make management decisions in your own operation based on the findings from that data - thereby improving your profitability.

Highway of Information.

We are pleased to have you as a part of the ICA data management and animal identification program! Enrolling your cattle is the first step in the “EID Highway of Information” please keep the communications open. If you are planning to send your cattle to harvest, please give us 48 hours (minimum) notice to schedule carcass data collection. Call the ICA office at 800-888-1730.

Things we will need to know when you call:
• Plant and location where cattle will be harvested.
• Number of head.
• Approximated delivery and harvest time and date.
• Name under which the cattle will be sold.
• Producer name and billing information.
• If you would like complete data or base data.

Decreased Costs.

EID tags and software use only (no carcass data).......................... $3.75
Discount for 1,000 or more..................................................... $0.25 ea

EID tags and entry level identification system
Paper method................................................................................ $4
Electronic spreadsheet method.................................................... $3.50
Discount for 250 or more (electronic only)........................... $0.25 ea

EID tags and production level identification system
Paper method............................................................................ $4.50
Electronic spreadsheet method........................................................ $4
Discount for 250 or more (electronic only)............................$0.25 ea

Group feedlot closeout data................................................. $10/report

Carcass data submitted from an outside source:
Electronic............................................................................. $0.25/hd
Paper....................................................................................... $1/hd

ICA collected carcass data:
Complete carcass data with ICA EID................................................ $6
Minimum for complete data.......................................................... $240

Tag transfer only with ICA EID........................................................ $3
Minimum for tag transfer............................................................. $120

Contact Information.

For more information please contact the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association at 515-296-2266.

ICA Animal & Data Management Brochure