TekVet CEO D. Bret Smith Applauds Decision by Congress to Freeze $33 Million Previously Earmarked to Fund Development of a National Animal Identification System

D. Bret Smith, chief executive officer of TekVet™, LLC, a Utah-based developer of agricultural technologies, today applauded Congress’ Tuesday decision to freeze $33 million in assets that had been designated to fund development of a national animal identification system.

“Congress made exactly the right decision,” Smith said. “Our lawmakers saw that this technology already exists and is being actively implemented at feedlots around the country and world. The government realized that private industry has already solved the problem of animal identification and has wisely freed up these assets to be better applied elsewhere.”

The frozen assets would likely have gone toward the development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that would identify and track livestock animals within a range of only several inches. Existing technology, such as TekVet’s own TekVet System™, already approved by the FCC, is currently optimized to significantly extend that range up to 300 to 500 feet, and thereby the effectiveness of the planned NAIS solution.

The TekVet System is an automated radio frequency (RF) wireless solution designed to constantly monitor the core temperatures of large livestock within the 418 MHz range of approximately 300 to 500 feet, while capturing vital historical data through a private network. TekVet has already begun partnership activities with universities and non-profit research institutions, where researchers can capitalize on TekVet’s RFID technology and investigate the impact of the technology on numerous related issues.

“It’s fantastic to see this kind of intelligent response from our nation’s leaders,” Smith said, “given the importance of tracking and identifying beef and dairy animals to maintain a safe and healthy national food supply. All the gears have been put into motion to provide TekVet the timely opportunity to launch its solution to this problem. But we were even more surprised to learn that Congress had realized that there was already an immediate and better option on the market, which led them to quickly and effectively hand over the reins to those of us working in the free enterprise system.

“We at TekVet appreciate the significance and responsibility of this charge from the government and are committed to continuing implementation of our technology solution as rapidly as possible in order to make our nation’s meat products safer and healthier than ever.”

About the TekVet System

Central to the TekVet System is the TekVet SmartSensor™: a small wireless device that is attached to a cow’s ear and includes a flexible thermometer, a wireless transceiver and other electronic components. The TekVet SmartSensor is attached to an animal’s ear in much the same way identification tags are as used by beef producers, ranchers and dairy farmers.

Once in place, the TekVet SmartSensor can provide core temperature readings minute-by-minute or periodically throughout the day as determined by a feedlot or dairy manager. Such readings are captured by TekVet SmartReceivers™ and transmitted to the TekVet SmartManagement™ software application via the TekVet SmartNetwork™, where the readings are stored in appropriate storage devices and uploaded via the Internet to the TekVet System central network operation and data center (NOC).

About TekVet, LLC
Formed in 2003, TekVet, LLC is a privately funded Utah-based developer and manufacturer of agricultural technologies. The company focuses on the application of wireless technologies to lower production costs, increase profits and improve product safety in the livestock industry. For more information on the company, visit its Web site at www.tekvet.com or call 801-335-0500.

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TekVet, TekVet System, TekVet SmartSensor, TekVet SmartReceiver, TekVet SmartManagement, and TekVet SmartNetwork are each trademarks of TekVet, LLC.