Cattle producers can now access mobile field representatives to support the traceabilitiy initiative under the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency that received $2.34 million from the governments of Canada and Alberta.
This funding will ensure the CCIA’s mobile field representatives are available to support producers across the province for the next two years.
“The CCIA provides a valuable service to producers through their mobile field representatives and we are pleased to be a part of this initiative,” said Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Jack Hayden, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.
“Traceability and age-verification are key parts of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy and the work being done by CCIA mobile field representatives will help to increase industry participation and contribute to a more competitive livestock industry and improve food safety.”
Local representatives for the central region include:
• Stettler – Sarah Tingley (telephone 403-742-7959).
• Ponoka / Stettler / Veteran – Nanita Bloomquist (phone 403-988-3625).
• Red Deer – Shayna Dodds (phone 403-988-1719).
• Viking / Killam – Ashley Eckel (phone 403-801-7217).
Mobile field representatives are stationed across Alberta and travel throughout their respective regions, networking with producers, auction markets, industry groups and government to educate and assist producers with age-verification, premises identification and livestock movement.
They specialize in assisting producers with uploading information into the CCIA’s Canadian Livestock Tracking System.
“Canadian farmers and beef producers can be proud of the safe, high-quality products they provide to families in Canada and around the world,” said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
“By investing in the work of the CCIA in Alberta, we are strengthening Canada’s traceability and marketability to customers at home and abroad, helping farmers get top dollar for their premium meat products.”
For more information on the Alberta offices or the mobile field representatives, please contact the CCIA at 1-877-909-2333 (BEEF).