Advantages
protection. prosperity. peace of mind.
DairyTrace is an industry-led dairy cattle traceability program designed to ensure protection, prosperity, and peace of mind for the Canadian dairy industry and its customers.
DairyTrace … one single system with many advantages
Public Health
Traceability makes it possible to react quickly when food safety is compromised. From ice cream and yogurt to butter and whipped cream, DairyTrace works to safeguard our food supply chain and address consumer concerns during a market disruption.
Animal Health
We depend on healthy livestock and it is feasible to contain the spread of disease and track sources of contamination and contagion in animals with a reliable traceability system. Rapidly identifying affected sites and animals can prevent disease propagation.
Economics
Traceability and crisis management are essential to the economic health of the Canadian dairy industry. Using unique technology, the data collected from DairyTrace can prepare us for challenging times, help protect our economy, as well as strengthen the reputation of the Canadian dairy sector and its products, at home and around the world.
Market Access
Traceability offers a competitive advantage to our local and global marketplace. By knowing where animals come from, where they are going, when and where they are bought and sold, and where they die, secures business continuity and supply chain credibility.
Quality
Traceability is one of the six modules of proAction®, a program that enables Canadian dairy farmers to collectively demonstrate responsible stewardship of their dairy animals and the environment to sustainably produce high-quality, safe, and nutritious food for consumers.
Prospective
Looking to the future, traceability has the potential to offer other opportunities that not only feed our world safely, but bring sustainability to the next level. Consumers, farmers, animals and the livelihoods of Canadian families depend on proactive thinking for solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.
The Future of Traceability
DNA Testing
It is important for consumers to know where their food products comes from. While the primary purpose of dairy cattle is to produce milk, they also make a significant contribution to the production of meat products. For some foods, migrating data from DNA testing is the ideal way to advance the capabilities of a traceability system. This methodology also supports validation in the assurance of claims that involve labels, quality, and locality.
Imagine a Meat Profit Index
Traceability can offer improved economics to the supply chain and even greater value to the consumer. Imagine a profit index on meat where data collected from the meat plant provides information on yield back to veal producers and dairy cattle breeders. This concept could improve food prices, reduce the carbon footprint, and create efficiencies throughout the industry.
Traceback Functionality
Simulations can demonstrate and analyze the functionality of traceback in many situations. In the event of a disease outbreak, strengths, opportunities and gaps can be identified and provide a greater understanding of response to different diseases, outbreaks and contamination.
Genetic Improvement
Canadian dairy genetics are among the best in the world and producers depend on genetic and/or genomic evaluations to develop a high performing profitable herd and sustainable breeding program. A national traceability system has the potential to further quantify and improve the relationship between genetics and profit in regards to animal health, longevity and other traits under genetic selection.
New Technology
As technology evolves, opportunities related to traceability will emerge. This could include, but is not limited to, tag quality/retention and facial recognition for recording groups of animals moving from premises to premises. Although new automated systems must be cost effective and highly accurate, facial recognition can be a convenient and reliable tool with different animal species. In addition to tracking, detecting disease and tracing spreading generations, it also offers information on the behaviour and characteristics of the animals for improved welfare.
Traceability
It’s about helping consumers answer the question: “Where does my food come from?”