Press Release

AgInfoLink Launches Innovative Web-based Information System for Iowa Quality Beef Supply Network

Longmont, CO - January 7, 2002 - AgInfoLink USA Inc. has launched a new web-based information system, offering shareowners in the Iowa Quality Beef Supply Network (IQBSN) access to secure harvest data with the latest on-line reporting capabilities.

Users simply visit the http://www.aginfolink.net/iqbsn site for access to harvest and production data from their cattle marketing. The site provides each password-protected user an overview of harvest lot information including quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight. Ribeye area and backfat measurements are available for measured cattle. The data is displayed in an easy to read matrix format that can be sorted, filtered, and even exported to Microsoft Excel or a herd management program for further analysis. The site also offers individual animal reporting that presents IQBSN grid premiums or discounts for each animal, allowing producers almost immediate feedback on individual animal performance. The harvest data is matched with live animal production data, and the online system even allows for online addition and editing of production information.

The IQBSN harvest data is calculated on the proprietary IQB grid, negotiated by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association for their members, with Excel Corporation at their Schuyler, Nebraska plant.

Furthermore, the site gives the user the ability to compare a selected harvest lot to the rest of his cattle harvested within a user-specified date range. The harvest lot may also be compared to the cattle from all owners within a user-specified date range. Users benefit from the ability to benchmark their cattle performance to other cattle they have marketed and to cattle marketed by other IQBSN shareowners.

“One of the goals of this program is to help our shareowners learn more about the quality and consistency of the beef they’re producing”, says Ed Greiman, Director of IQB Programs. "When we track calves from birth to box, we give producers the management tools to make decisions based on the results of how well their cattle performed on the grid. The on-line system quickly gives us access to harvest data, the ultimate report card of cattle performance.”

Jamie Willrett, WM Cattle Co. agrees. “In the past, we had to wait a week or more to find out how our cattle did at the plant. Now with the online information system, the data is available just days after the cattle are processed. The ability to compare my cattle to the rest of cattle in the program is a good and timely way to find out how we’re doing and adjust our marketing plans accordingly.”

According to Glenn Smith, AgInfoLink’s USA Country Manager, “The data retrieval and reporting solutions offered by the AgInfoLink.Net system are complementary to the Beeflink™ data collection tools in the field today. AgInfoLink has been an industry leader in providing new technologies that facilitate the collection and movement of data. These new interactive tools provide our users with real supply chain management solutions that allow them to make immediate management decisions.”

The Iowa Quality Beef Supply Network online information system is an AgInfoLink.Net product available to shareholders in IQBSN. For more information on IQBSN, contact the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association at 515.296.2266. For more information on AgInfoLink.Net solutions, contact AgInfoLink at 800.287.8787.