Americans discover traceability

AMERICAN ranchers have discovered traceability, with Missouri the first state to begin a Quality Systems Assessment program, allowing farmers to sell, source and age verified cattle with third-party verification, and consumers to track their beef purchases to the farms of origin.

But Missouri has certified no more than 20,000 head of cattle to date.

Missouri Department of Agriculture officials are touring Taiwan and Japan, and will reassure importers there that they now have a traceability system in place.