It may seem like an unusal statement – until you think about it. Microsoft announced this week that they have partnered with ViaTrace and the US Animal Identifical Organisation to launch an animal tracking database. ViaTrace actually developed the database on Microsoft servers and operating systems for the USAIO. According to this trifecta of organizations, the dateabase does meet all government requirements for a database, while meeting producers concerns about confidentiality.

While the Secretary of agriculture has in the past expressed his support for a private database, there have been legal questions as to whether or not a private company could legally main such a database. Another producer concern has been any additional cost in implementing such a system – This database is reported to cost less than 30 cents per head to enroll.

ViaTrace has already begun accepting data, collecting information from existing state and association databases, along with pilot projects in 17 states. The system is expected to come online later in 2006, sometime during third quarter. Producers will be able to enter data wireless from the field, from their home or office computer, and by phone or US mail. The first step, naturally, is registering for a premise ID, which many have alread done.

There are still plenty of details to work out with this Animal ID situation, but work is being done in almost every sector of livestock production.