Bitrabo Editorial
The cattle industry in the United States is embracing blockchain technology. CattleProof, a decentralized cow verification service, has received approval for its “Verified” program, marking it as the USDA’s first-ever blockchain-based Process Verified Program (PVP). This Wyoming-based company utilizes distributed ledger technology to securely document data for individual cattle.
Utilizing Blockchain for Livestock Tracking
Each cow is fitted with electronic identification tags that capture various data points, including its health status, location, and other important characteristics. This information is permanently stored on a blockchain, significantly simplifying the tracking process from farm to plate. Additionally, farmers can monitor the animals’ health in real-time, improving animal welfare and management.
Advancing Regulatory Frameworks
The USDA’s PVP initiative can pave the way for organizations like CattleProof to create standards that align with regulatory demands while promoting innovations to address cattle industry challenges. This program will allow CattleProof to develop a set of voluntary standards subject to governmental review, positioning it as a groundbreaking decentralized network for cattle management.
This initiative is part of a broader trend in the agriculture sector, where stakeholders increasingly turn to technology as a means to meet regulatory expectations while enhancing operational efficiency and transparency.
CattleProof: An Innovative Approach
CattleProof stands out due to its USDA-approved PVP employing blockchain technology. It provides certifications such as “Born in the USA” alongside digital certificates linked directly to animal records. The company also collaborates with Heartland Payments, enabling direct transactions for verified cattle.
This setup allows buyers to verify the authenticity of their livestock, thus enhancing consumer trust in meat purchases. Additionally, farmers can showcase unique attributes of their products related to traceability and ethical sourcing, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The USDA’s approval reflects a growing acceptance of blockchain in farming, supported by a recent proposal to update rules regarding organic products to ensure traceable supply chains. This shift signifies a strengthening of blockchain’s influence as it becomes integral to the future of agriculture.
As blockchain’s presence grows in the agricultural sector, it is expected to change farming practices by providing enhanced security, minimizing fraud, and streamlining supply chains. This success may inspire similar technology-driven initiatives in various industries, further solidifying technology’s vital role in modern farming.
Featured image from The Whitney Land Company, chart from TradingView