ADVANCING ADT

ROAD MAP FOR

GEORGIA

A Three-Year Plan

Submitted by:

JANEMARIE HENNEBELLE DVM

STATE VETERINARIAN

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

19 MLK JR DR

ATLANTA, GA

404-656-3667

Submitted to:

DR. THOMAS BEACORN

AREA VETERINARIAN FOR GEORGIA

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

1506 KLONDIKE RD SW #300, CONYERS, GA

770-761-5426

Date: June 30, 2022
Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................... 3

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION............................................................................ 5

2.1 Who are we? ....................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Where are we now?............................................................................................................. 6

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses.................................................................................................. 7

2.4 Opportunities and Threats................................................................................................... 7

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment.................................8

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY....................... 9

3.1 Vision statement ................................................................................................................. 9

3.2 Mission statement ............................................................................................................... 9

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................... 9

4.1 Strategic goal(s)...................................................................................... 9

4.2 Programmatic goal(s) (Objectives)..................................................................9

4.3 Animal disease traceability performance measures.......................................................... 10

4.4 Data requirements............................................................................................................. 10

4.5 Information technology plan............................................................................................. 11

4.6 Resource requirements...................................................................................................... 11

4.7 Organizational needs......................................................................................................... 11

4.7.1 Executive support.......................................................................................... 11

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures......................................................... 11

4.7.3 Policy............................................................................................................. 12

4.7.4 Staffing.......................................................................................................... 12

4.7.5 Budget requirements ..................................................................................... 12

4.7.6 Outreach ........................................................................................................ 12

4.7.6.1 Accredited veterinarians................................................................... 12

4.7.6.2 Livestock markets ............................................................................ 13

4.7.6.3 Industry as a whole........................................................................... 13

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity ................................................... 14

V. TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................... 14

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement ............................................................................. 14

5.2 Implementation of objectives.......................................................................................14-15
 

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fundamental elements of an effective Animal Disease Traceability Plan are to continue 

increasing the number of eligible cattle, swine, sheep, and goats that have official animal 

identification, and capturing this information in a database. In addition, ensuring that all 

livestock markets have RFID readers and can seamlessly implement the transition to electronic 

official identification.

Georgia has significantly advanced its animal disease traceability program in this direction. 

Since 2019, the State of Georgia no longer provides paper Certificates of Veterinary Inspection 

(CVIs). Georgia veterinarians have been provided with a list of approved electronic CVI 

platforms that they can transition to once they run out of paper CVIs. As of January 2020, 

Georgia no longer offers paper Equine Event Permits (EEPs), replacing them with the digital 

Extended Equine CVI (EECVI). These electronic options are more efficient and enhance animal 

disease traceability (ADT) by improving record keeping, storing, and retrieval, reducing human 

error and the length of time it takes to conduct disease traces. 

In August 2020, Georgia implemented USAHERDS as our main database to manage traceability 

information. This software program captures data from CVIs, test and vaccine records,

commuter herd agreements, and tag allocation records. USAHERDS is also used to issue 

premises identification numbers and manage disease incidents. 

Throughout 2020 and 2021, we spent a significant amount of time and resources on transitioning 

most of our Georgia large animal veterinarians to the use of official electronic identification. Our 

efforts included personal visits to veterinary clinics and providing electronic identification tags 

(EID) along with a portable RFID handheld reader to 24 clinics. In 2021, we issued the last of 

our NUES9 vaccination tags and now only distribute AIN vaccination tags to accredited 

veterinarians. 

Personal visits and training were provided to several Georgia livestock producers who were 

prepared to transition their cattle herds to electronic identification tags (EID). One RFID 

handheld reader was distributed to a livestock producer who maintains an official tagging site 

agreement. Beginning in 2022, a significant amount of time has been spent within our livestock 

markets to develop a plan to seamlessly transition to EID for eligible cattle. In May of 2022, one 

livestock market has been issued an RFID handheld reader. 

Timeline proposed for this plan: 

• FY 2022: 

o Continuing to capture official ID into USAHERDS (CVIs, test and 

vaccine records, market tagging) 

o Provide funding for livestock field inspectors 

o Provide funding for ADT Program Manager and ADT Veterinarian 
o Provide funding for data entry personnel

o Continuing to promote the usage of official electronic identification in 

livestock markets, exhibition animals, disease investigations, herd 

work, and veterinary clinics in a targeted and sustainable manner.

o Encourage and support infrastructure for reading electronic 

identification at approved livestock markets

o Continuing to provide training to accredited veterinarians, livestock 

markets, and GDA personnel in the use of electronic identification 

reading equipment and data reporting

o Continuing support and encouragement of accredited veterinarians to 

use electronic identification, electronic readers, and electronic 

documents

o Continuing support and encouragement of large Georgia cattle 

producers to transition to the use of official electronic identification 

• FY 2023: 

o Continuing to capture official ID into USAHERDS (CVIs, test and 

vaccine records, market tagging)

o Provide funding for livestock field inspectors

o Provide funding for ADT Program Manager and ADT Veterinarian

o Provide funding for data entry personnel

o Continuing to promote the usage of official electronic identification in 

livestock markets, exhibition animals, disease investigations, herd 

work, and veterinary clinics

o Encourage and support infrastructure for reading electronic 

identification at approved livestock markets

o Continuing to provide training to accredited veterinarians, livestock 

markets, and GDA personnel in the use of electronic identification 

reading equipment and data reporting

o Continuing support and encouragement of accredited veterinarians to 

use electronic identification, electronic readers, and electronic 

documents

o Continuing support and encouragement of large Georgia cattle 

producers to transition to the use of official electronic identification

o Affect rule change to require official electronic identification for 

livestock exhibition in Georgia

o Support market personnel in application and usage of official EID at 

approved livestock markets

o Provide funding for required upgrades of issued electronic readers at

livestock markets and veterinary clinics 

o Investigate the implementation and promotion of value-added livestock 

programs for Georgia farms that utilize official EID
o Support and identify additional electronic CVI platforms and tag 

manufacturers for Georgia producers and veterinarians to encourage 

competitive options are available

• FY 2024: 

o Continuing to capture official ID into USAHERDS (CVIs, test and 

vaccine records, market tagging)

o Provide funding for livestock field inspectors

o Provide funding for ADT Program Manager and ADT Veterinarian

o Provide funding for data entry personnel

o Continuing to promote the usage of official electronic identification in 

livestock markets, exhibition animals, disease investigations, herd 

work, and veterinary clinics

o Encourage and support infrastructure for reading electronic 

identification at approved livestock markets

o Continuing to provide training to accredited veterinarians, livestock 

markets, and GDA personnel in the use of electronic identification 

reading equipment and data reporting

o Continuing support and encouragement of accredited veterinarians to 

use electronic identification, electronic readers, and electronic 

documents

o Continuing support and encouragement of large Georgia cattle 

producers to transition to the use of official electronic identification

o Affect rule change to require official electronic identification for 

livestock exhibition in Georgia

o Support market personnel in application and usage of official EID at 

approved livestock markets

o Provide funding for required upgrades of issued electronic readers at

exhibition locations, livestock markets and veterinary clinics

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Dr. Janemarie Hennebelle, State Veterinarian, Georgia Department of 

Agriculture and Dr. Thomas Beacorn, AVIC, USDA-APHIS-Veterinary 

Services. 

• Who are the primary constituents?

Georgia Department of Agriculture

• Who are the external constituents?

Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, 

Georgia Extension (4-H), Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Livestock 

Marketing Association, University of Georgia, Future Farmers of 

America (FFA), Georgia Milk producers, Georgia Pork producers, 
Georgia Poultry Lab Network and USDA APHIS Veterinary 

Services.

• What does statewide mean?

Statewide includes the State of Georgia.

• How is traceability data used internally, externally?

Traceability data is primarily used for tracing animal disease and for 

education of producers and veterinarians. 

• What values guide the animal disease traceability system?

Consistent and reliable collection of animal ID data allows us to 

perform animal disease tracing rapidly and accurately. 

2.2 Where are we now?

Currently, when GDA receives notification from a laboratory that we have 

a positive test result for a disease of interest, the State Veterinarian’s office 

initiates a trace and assigns it to the appropriate animal regulatory program. 

Based on the data obtained, field personnel will visit the market or other 

premises where the animal was tested and examine the paper (or electronic) 

records to determine where the animal was most recently located.

The animal disease traceability program in Georgia, and therefore this road 

map, will focus on cattle, transitional swine, sheep, goats, and horses. We 

feel that our ability to trace poultry, which is Georgia’s largest animal 

agriculture sector, is sufficient. The poultry industry in Georgia maintains 

data that includes the location of all poultry operations in the state. The 

poultry industry works closely with GDA to provide GPS data for premise 

identification. We have tested the system and have been able to demonstrate 

that we can use this system to trace both commercial and backyard poultry. 

We also feel that the current system for traceability of commercial swine in 

Georgia is sufficient. Breeding swine are officially identified and tested at 

approved markets then quarantined to premises until official test results are 

obtained. Swine that go through non-breeding sales are always consigned 

to slaughter and do not return home. 

Exhibition swine are required to be officially identified when tested for 

brucellosis and pseudorabies. EID is strongly encouraged and widely used 

for exhibition swine in Georgia.
2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses

• What are the strengths of the organization in terms of technology, 

human resources, personnel capabilities, etc.?

Strengths include the presence of a well-trained animal regulatory program 

and field force. Established protocols are routinely followed. GDA has 

employed a full time ADT Program Manager since 2019. GDA also has 

employed two full-time personnel that enter data related to ADT. 

USAHERDS is used as the primary means of data collection, reporting and 

storage. Due to extensive outreach with stakeholders, strong working 

relationships have been developed to improve the Georgia’s Traceability 

program. 

• What are the weaknesses in terms of “lack of” technology, human 

resources, personnel capabilities, etc.?

Although we have significantly improved upon our digital capabilities, 

further progress is required. Areas for improvement are: 

o Increased adoption of EID to improve electronic data 

collection and transfer

o Improved ADT compliance of livestock markets, producers,

and veterinarians 

o Continued training of animal health regulatory personnel

o Continued educational outreach efforts for Georgia citizens

o Personnel changes resulting in open positions

2.4 Opportunities and Threats

Does this plan create an opportunity in ability to respond?

In the event that a foreign animal disease or other disease of concern enters 

Georgia, or if there is a natural disaster that affects livestock or poultry in 

Georgia, having animal identification and an established traceability system 

will allow us to respond to these events much quicker than if such a system 

was not in place. The ability to utilize electronic data would provide for a 

more efficient emergency response.

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment

• Human resources

o Existing: two full-time data entry/administrative positions, 

one ADT Program Manager, livestock & poultry field 

forces, five veterinarians
o Most resources listed above have a limited amount of time 

devoted to ADT based on other priorities and functions 

assigned to the positions. 

• Space availability

Current office space will be used.

• Connectivity resources, both in office and in the field

Standard connectivity is present in the office. Field forces are equipped 

with smart phones and computers with wireless connectivity capability, 

although connectivity is dependent upon location.

• Access to USDA animal disease traceability and animal health 

information resources

Data entry and epidemiology personnel have access currently, which 

meets present needs.

• Organization of all existing paper record systems used to access 

animal disease traceability or animal health information

Paper and electronic CVIs, vaccination records, test records, commuter 

herd agreements and movement data, EECVIs, and disease 

investigations that may involve the use of official identification are all 

currently being recorded in USAHERDS.

• Computerized data management capability, including present 

storage size, speed, security, etc.

We currently have IT support to maintain our GDA smart phones and 

computers. We utilize USAHERDS for data entry and storage. GDA 

utilizes department-managed server space Speed and security are 

managed by the GDA IT division.

• Automated data capture capability

GDA has acquired wand readers, panel readers and handheld units 

through Cooperative agreement funds. In addition, all field personnel 

are equipped with a smart phone application for Bluetooth EID data 

capture.
III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

The vision of the Georgia Department of Agriculture is to continue to be a 

globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment 

to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

3.2 Mission Statement

The mission of the Georgia Department of Agriculture is to protect 

consumers, promote agriculture both locally and globally, and assist our 

customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Strategic goal(s)

The strategic goal of this program is official identification of eligible species 

and data collection/storage/retrieval to improve traceability. Cattle, swine, 

sheep and goats will be the species of focus.

We will evaluate our progress and then improve and refine our processes.

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives)

The programmatic goals are as follows (they will be the same for the three 

years of this road map, possibly growing each year):

• Implement EID panel or wand readers at livestock markets to 

facilitate the use of electronic tag application and data collection.

• Continue outreach to veterinarians, producers, livestock markets, 

and exhibitors on the use of EID

• Encourage the distribution of tags directly from tag manufacturers 

to requestors (e.g. veterinarians, producers, livestock markets, 

exhibitors).

• Ensure eCVIs are accurately completed and submitted on time.

• Improve electronic data collection, transmission, storage, and 

retrieval methods to meet the demand required for efficient use of 

the growing volume of data. 

• Continue to research newly improved data collection and database 

solutions to ensure methods being deployed are current
4.3 Animal disease traceability performance measures

GDA has consistently demonstrated the ability to meet performance 

standards and execute National Priority Traces in a timely manner. Transitioning 

to USAHERDS, EID, and electronic readers and documents has directly 

benefited our ability to achieve performance goals.

4.4 Data requirements

Location identification will be through National Premises ID numbers

(NPINS) issued primarily by the Georgia Department of Agriculture

using USAHERDS. Official USDA approved ID tags (NUES and AIN 

tags) and registration tattoos and brands when accompanied by official 

registry paperwork will be accepted. Once a NPIN is obtained livestock 

owners and official tagging sites can apply for official ID tags issued by 

GDA, either NUES tags (while still available) or 840 RFID tags. 

Approximately 104,000 official ID tags are expected to be distributed 

or purchased per year. GDA will provide 840 RFID tags to

veterinarians, producers (or other requestors) who have a NPIN.

USAHERDS is the primary database that is utilized for EID and NUES 

tag allocations. A requestor (i.e. producer, veterinarian, etc.) contacts the 

Georgia Department of Agriculture for tags. Utilizing an official NPIN, 

an allocation record will be generated within USAHERDS and the tags 

will be shipped directly to the requestor. Producers are notified that the 

tags are to be used for their animals only and are not to be given out to 

other people, such as their neighbors. Proper records should be kept for 

5 years.

Producers interested in a commuter herd agreement are required to 

apply and obtain an official commuter herd agreement. This agreement 

will be signed by all state animal health officials involved. 

Georgia approved tagging sites may utilize the approved Georgia 

interstate movement document. This document is accepted by the 

following states: AL, FL, KY, MS, NC, SC, and TN.

Upon another state’s request, the data will be furnished to the requesting 

state by phone, fax or e-mail during business hours (the data may be 

shared outside of business hours on an emergency basis).

Groups and lots are not utilized routinely in Georgia. Most eligible 

animals are sold individually by the head or by the pound. We will rely 

on producers to keep this information (for example, pen numbers).
4.5 Information technology plan

• State funds are used to purchase computers for office use, but Federal 

funds will be needed to support the other components, such as electronic 

reading infrastructure.

• Continue to provide electronic alternatives to veterinarians to reduce 

paper records.

• Continue to research and evaluate alternative and new database 

solutions. 

4.6 Resource requirements

• RFID readers and laptops are needed for all livestock markets

• Continued cooperative agreement Traceability funding for the purchase 

of EID tags and readers is required.

4.7 Organizational needs

GDA Animal Industry Division includes livestock/poultry field forces

(LPFF). LPFF assists the Animal Health Division with ADT 

management and implementation. Currently GDA Animal Health

Division has a full time ADT Program Manager and a field Veterinary 

Medical Officer that has expertise in ADT. 

Other programs within Animal Industry, such as equine and companion 

animal field forces can be leveraged if necessary. These programs 

routinely work together on various animal health needs. 

4.7.1 Executive support

Commissioner Black has indicated that he is in support of animal disease 

traceability. The Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Department of 

Agriculture holds regular monthly meetings at which time the Commissioner 

is briefed on the progress of animal disease traceability in Georgia.

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures

Dr. Janemarie Hennebelle, State Veterinarian, is primarily responsible for 

advancing animal disease traceability. ADT coordination and oversight 

procedures are implemented by the ADT Program Coordinator within the 

Animal Health Division. In addition, outreach to industry and input from 
producers, livestock markets, veterinarians and exhibitors provide feedback 

for further development of Georgia’s ADT program. 

Multi-State meetings are held to discuss traceability issues and to coordinate 

regional interstate movement agreements.

4.7.3 Policy

SAHA has contributed to policy discussions and may continue working in 

parallel with stakeholders to develop a policy or recommendation for our 

regional efforts.

4.7.4 Staffing

We manage Georgia as a cooperative program with State and Federal 

personnel and will continue to do so. Personnel needed to implement the 

plan include a hired ADT program manager, current field staff, current data 

entry personnel and additional field and data entry staff. Further training of 

personnel in information technology will be essential to the goals of 

Georgia’s ADT Road Map. 

4.7.5 Budget requirements

Funding for animal disease traceability is through the Georgia Department 

of Agriculture general budget as well as the Federal cooperative agreements. 

GDA Animal Health Division does not receive any specifically allocated 

funds for ADT. Changes to the federal ADT framework have necessitated 

budget increases while the amount of cooperative agreement funding GDA 

receives has remained relatively stagnant over time.

4.7.6 Outreach

Successful implementation of any plan to advance animal disease traceability 

cannot be achieved without outreach to constituents primarily affected by the 

plan.

4.7.6.1. Accredited veterinarians

Accredited veterinarians are regularly updated about ADT within Georgia 

through written communications, the Georgia Veterinary Medical 

Association (their newsletter, website, etc.), the GDA website, GDA’s 

Market Bulletin, e-mailings from GDA directly to veterinarians, during the 

accreditation core orientation and one-on-one accreditation visits, and at 

state or national meetings.
Continuing education to improve data quality relative to animal health 

information systems being used and to encourage the submission of official 

forms in a timely manner will be provided by State and Federal field VMOs. 

They have and will continue making personal visits to mixed and large 

animal/food animal practitioners in their sections. These visits will also be 

used to encourage the use of eCVIs and electronic documents.

4.7.6.2 Livestock markets

Continuing education efforts will be conducted in a joint effort by the ADT 

Program Manager and GDA livestock inspectors while they are working at 

the livestock markets and when federal employees are conducting quarterly 

inspections of the markets. The State and Federal employees will be able to 

answer questions and if the market has concerns or problems that the field 

employees cannot answer, they will refer them to the GDA Animal Health

Office or the Georgia Area Office. In addition, market visits will be conducted 

by GDA State Veterinarian and/or ADT Program Manager as needed.

All eligible Georgia livestock markets are approved official tagging sites. 

Traceability information from livestock markets is obtained by field 

personnel at the request of the State Veterinarian. Upon request, GDA ADT 

Coordinator will query all available electronic records and associated 

databases. Information obtained will be forwarded to the district field office 

and assigned to the appropriate field personnel. They will then coordinate 

with the livestock market to obtain buyer/seller information. This information 

is routed back to the ADT Coordinator and State Veterinarian for action.

 4.7.6.3. Industry as a whole

Industry (specifically cattle, swine, and small ruminants) are regularly 

informed about Georgia’s ADT program through the Georgia Cattlemen’s 

Association, Georgia Extension, 4-H, the Georgia Farm Monitor, Georgia 

Farm Bureau, the Livestock Marketing Association, the University of 

Georgia, FFA, Georgia Dairy Goat Breeders Association, Georgia Sheep and 

Wool Growers, Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Pork Producers, and

through GDA publications (website, Market Bulletin). GDA has formed good 

partnerships with industry to facilitate information sharing.
4.8. Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity 

All CVIs (import and export) and approved Alternate Movement 

Documents are counted and reviewed for data capture and ADT 

compliance. In addition, the number of animals, by species, are counted and 

recorded to provide data for quarterly/annual reports.

Official identification devices (NUES and AIN) are managed and 

distributed using allocation systems within USAHERDS. NPINS are

required prior to distribution of official identification devices. Allocation 

records are queried quarterly and annually for data reporting.

GDA is continuing to transition to digital collection, storage, and reporting 

to increase efficiency and provide time to focus on compliance. We will 

report the data as requested.

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement

• Maximize the implementation and use of official EID across Georgia

• Maximize the use of secure electronic data collection, storage, and retrieval 

utilizing USAHERDS

• Distribution of official EID tags in a sustainable and equitable fashion statewide

• Ensure RFID readers are available for use at all livestock markets

5.2 Implementation of objectives

• Maximize the implementation and use of official EID across Georgia

o Continuing support and encouragement of Georgia cattle producers and 

veterinarians to transition to the use of EID

o Continue ADT Demonstrations and trainings for livestock producers, 

auction markets, veterinarians, and livestock exhibitions in the use of EID 

reading equipment

• Maximize the use of secure electronic data collection, storage, and retrieval 

utilizing USAHERDS

o Continue capturing official ID into USAHERDS (CVIs, test and vaccine 

records, market tagging)

o Monitoring data in USAHERDS is searchable

• Distribution of official EID tags in a sustainable and equitable fashion statewide

o Announcements that official EID is available from the GDA Animal Health 

Division through stakeholders, newsletters, emails, GDA website, 

education, and outreach.

• Ensure RFID readers are available for use at all livestock markets
o Tagging efforts will continue at livestock markets. All markets are 

approved Official Tagging Sites and are responsible for application of 

official identification of eligible species