CALF_News_Feb_March_2019

19 CALF News • February | March 2019 • www.calfnews.net Feeding the New Frontier Mark kirkpatrick, president stoker-kirkpatrick ranches  High Protein  High Energy  All Natural diaMond nutrition (806) 716-6222 info@cattlecubes.com minimum Guaranteed analysis Crude Protein 28.0% Crude Fat 9.5% Crude Fiber 10.0% Phosphorus 0.5% “We started using Diamond Energy Cubes because not only could we keep the protein content high, but we were getting the additional benefit of the fat content. We probably don’t have to feed as much because of the higher protein and fat level so we’ve been very satisfied.” www.cattlecubes.com and transmitted to the blockchain. Everything of importance to the con- sumer gets recorded, including harvest processing, packaging and transport to the retailer. The meat package receives a QR code tag that the consumer can scan before purchase using a smartphone app that takes them to a website where the blockchain history of the animal and the individual package display. Every consumer has their own prefer- ences; blockchain just adds transparency and trust so a consumer can make an informed choice and pay accordingly. Current beef packaging and labeling practices provide the consumer with a product description, a “best before” date, origin of the beef and quality standards. The blockchain QR code packaging model provides the consumer access to all the information on the blockchain through a quick scan of the QR tag using a smartphone. Access to this information enables buyers to locate a beef product that meets their particular needs. The infor- mation can also show the ethical and sustainable practices used by the modern beef industry, which will help combat the media war against the industry. Another important aspect of the blockchain QR code tag model is the consumer feedback loop used to provide product reviews. It makes producing and sending reviews via smart device to all the participants in the blockchain quick and easy. This will provide producers valuable market intelligence that will help them remain competitive. The regulator will find blockchain useful because it makes locating contami- nated meat quick and easy as well. Block- chain’s traceability makes it an important tool in creating food safety and combating food fraud. International markets place a premium on this information. In time, regulators will probably require it. BeefChain American Certified Brands, LLC, which does business as BeefChain, has brought blockchain technology to the Wyoming craft cattle industry. As the first real test of blockchain in the American cattle industry, many players are watching. Rob Jennings, CEO, says that designing a blockchain solution for the Wyoming craft cattle industry was hard because you had to bring together a unified supply chain with all the players, strategic partnerships, security, certifica- tions and decision mechanisms, which required much thought and debate with everyone in the supply chain. The company’s model intends to give ranchers the ability to charge premium prices for grass-fed, craft beef raised their entire lives in pastures by providing proof to food retailers and consumers. Right now, neither knows if the beef they pay a premium for actually meets their criteria. Blockchain intends to return trust to the market. It does that by putting in place the technology to provide traceability and prove humane handling desired by their end customers. BeefChain’s RFID tags and devices upload that information to the Continued on page 21 