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Press Release
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Glenn Smith, 303.682.9898, Glenn.Smith@aginfolink.com or
Maralee Johnson, 217.787.4280, maraleemj@aol.com
AgInfoLink and Illinois Beef Association Team Up on Animal Information Services; Wellman Joins AgInfoLink Staff
Longmont, CO, April 17th, 2007- AgInfoLink USA, a privately-held food information solutions provider, announced today its partnership with Illinois Beef Association to deliver animal identification and verification solutions to livestock producers. AgInfoLink services are now IBA’s recommended services of choice. These services include age and source verification through AgInfoLink’s USDA-approved Process Verified Program (PVP).
A key component of AgInfoLink’s Process Verified Program is the ability to connect information across the meat and livestock supply chain. Illinois Beef Association becomes another key partner in AgInfoLink’s business to deliver verification services to livestock producers across the USA. Producers enrolled in AgInfoLink’s PVP for age and source verification meet a critical supplier evaluation required by all major beef packers to supplier verified cattle for beef export eligibility.
AgInfoLink also proudly announces the addition of Mark Wellman as Sales Associate. Wellman is an Illinois native and bases in Fowler, IL. His responsibilities include sales and customer relations for AgInfoLink customers and partners in nine Midwestern states including Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. Wellman is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and brings a wealth of agricultural sales and service experience including 17 years with Moorman’s and ADM Alliance Nutrition. Most recently Mark represented CattleLog animal identification services. Mark can be reached at Mark.Wellman@aginfolink.com or 217.617.5220.
Maralee Johnson, IBA Executive Vice President, welcomed the move. “AgInfoLink is committed to Illinois cattlemen and can deliver the right services for our industry. We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Mark Wellman. His dedication to customer service and AgInfoLink’s services make a winning combination for Illinois beef producers. The AgInfoLink PVP for Age and Source Verification provides our livestock customers the tools needed for eligibility for Beef Export Verification to Japan. We also maintain needed marketing flexibility for our members,” said Johnson.
Illinois Beef Association will immediately begin utilizing AgInfoLink’s BeefLink data collection system to manage members’ livestock information, including data in a traceability study funded by Illinois Agri-First grant.
“Illinois Beef Association is the industry leader in Illinois, and AgInfoLink appreciates their partnership,” added Glenn Smith, USA Country Manager for AgInfoLink. “IBA and AgInfoLink will together provide a valuable offering to livestock producers. Age verification under a PVP is an important value added opportunity for cattlemen. Working through Illinois Beef, producers will have the opportunity to capture that value in real dollars.”
AgInfoLink offers information verification services to the livestock industry. AgInfoLink verification services can provide an auditable information trail to verify a number of industry requirements and marketing claims. Verification specifically for age and source is provided through AgInfoLink’s USDA-approved Processed Verification Program (PVP). AgInfoLink delivers these verification services through its approved Verification Partners. These partners, under the training and oversight of AgInfoLink, provide customer enrollment, training, and auditing to verify claims. AgInfoLink’s Process Verification Program approval gives customers the opportunity and flexibility to participate in a wide variety of marketing channels. They can collect a number of data points in order to substantiate age and source verification. Data collection may occur with any of AgInfoLink’s traceability tools and through third party systems.
About AgInfoLink
Traceability Starts Here. Founded in 1997, AgInfoLink designs and develops secure, high quality, traceability solutions for the world’s food supply. The company’s products provide the food industry with data collection, secure data transmission, data warehousing, reporting and analysis tools for increasing profits and reducing risk. AgInfoLink solutions provide customers increased efficiencies, increased commodity value, and “value traceability” from the farm to the table. The company’s headquarters are located in Longmont, CO. (www.aginfolink.com)
About Illinois Beef Association
Illinois Beef Association (IBA) is a grassroots membership trade association and marketing organization that represents the interests of the 12,600 beef producers and the beef industry in Illinois. IBA promotes a dynamic and profitable beef industry meeting producer and consumer needs while increasing demand for beef.
About the USDA Process Verified Program
The USDA Process Verified Program provides suppliers of agricultural products or services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. This is accomplished by having their documented manufacturing or service delivery processes verified through independent, third party audits. http://processverified.usda.gov/
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