More than 11,300 Minnesota livestock producers have voluntarily enrolled in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), reports AgriView. That's slightly more than 26% of the state's 44,109 livestock premises, said Ted Radintz, Minnesota's National Animal ID coordinator.

The Minnesota support level is on par with the premises registration effort nationally, which stands at about 24%, says Bruce Knight, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Based on census data, USDA estimates there are 1,433,582 livestock premises in the U.S.

Radintz says Minnesota beef producers, like their national cattlemen's organizations, tend to favor a voluntary approach to NAIS. The National Pork Producers Council, however, favors a mandatory program.

Animal owners can register their premises online at: animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/premises_id/register.shtml, or by phone, or mail, with their state, tribe, or territorial animal-health authority.
-- Joe Roybal