All State Fair exhibitors will be required to obtain a Premise ID for 2017. This will not be required for county-only exhibitor unless the county chooses to do so. Further education, in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will be coming out by January 10th for counties to use in print form via email blasts and newsletters. These resources will explain the reasoning behind both EID and Premise ID while also giving families a step-by-step process for obtaining the Premise ID.
While that is being developed, what follows is a brief explanation on why Premise ID will be required in 2017. Also attached to this email is a rough document going through the process of obtaining a Premise ID. This document is for your reference only and a more complete resource will come out by January 10th that can be easily disseminated to youth.
- In 2016, through our partnership with NDA, we were able to obtain an exemption from USDA that did not require each exhibitor to obtain a Premise ID. Thus why each county extension office or fairgrounds has a Premise ID number.
- That exemption will not be renewable for 2017, thus requiring this step. The Premise ID Application process can be completed online. That URL will be available in the coming resources.
- Swine exhibitors, through completion of PQA, already have a Premise ID so they have already completed this step. They can continue to use the Premise ID generated through that program for other species as well.
- Cattle, Sheep, and Goat exhibitors who do not have a Premise ID will need to obtain one. In some cases, a farm or ranch may already have a Premise ID in the parents (or other relative’s name). As long as the livestock are being housed and cared for at that location, the existing Premise ID should be used.
We are well aware that there may be some not willing to comply with the Premise ID step; however, this process is vital in our youth understanding the shape of the agriculture landscape and the world economy as it is changing. Source verification programs are becoming critical, and as the world population becomes more interested in where their food is grown, Premise ID will play a major role in our youth’s future in agriculture.
While acquiring Premise ID is the choice of a family/exhibitor, those who choose not to get the Premise ID will not be able to show at State Fair or AKSARBEN. Exhibitors can contact me (bbennett8@unl.edu) and I can help to answer their questions.