The National Animal ID System seems to be gaining momentum now. I had read about it a few years ago, but gaffed it off as rumor.

I’m surprised, as I talk with more and more folks, to find out they just haven’t heard. Some folks started out supporting it, but have switched horses now that they are really finding out what it means.

My brother-in-law set me up an email account at the library, which I’m slowly learning to use. All the librarians have livestock, and none of them had heard about this until I started researching it at the library. So we all have to step up the pace and get people informed.

Please put out the word. Do not assume everyone with livestock has heard. They haven’t.

Dale Corkern lives in Yerington, Montana. His letter appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of Rural Heritage.