| Program
Description
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 (see 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.
For more information on AgInfoLink Verification Services, contact AgInfoLink or any of the approved Verification Partners.
Frequently
Asked Questions
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What is a PVP?
A: A PVP is a USDA approved Process Verified Program. A PVP requires a company or business entity to implement a Quality Management System, based upon ISO 9000 standards, to provide products or services which consistently meet specified product requirements. AgInfoLink’s specific program claims are verified through USDA audits.
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Can a PVP be used to qualify for Beef Export Verification for Japan?
A: Yes, a PVP for age and source verification can be implemented to verify the age and source of the animals to be marketed in a beef export verification program for Japan, provided they are uniquely identified back to the ranch of origin and all suppliers are enrolled and approved.
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What services does AgInfoLink provide with its PVP?
A: AgInfoLink provides producers with the ability to uniquely identify animals, manage data on those animals, qualify animals to be eligible under other QSAs or PVPs, and to provide verifiable information on age and source to others in the industry.
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Why would I choose a PVP?
Convenience:
- Sell to more than one packer or feedlot without increasing paperwork.
- Most QSAs will accept documentation from a PVP supplier without requiring additional auditing.
Confidentiality:
- PVP auditing by AgInfoLink eliminates need for packer or feeder QSA audits of rancher animal records, therefore protecting producer confidentiality.
- Prevent access to sensitive records and keep herd data confidential
Flexibility:
- Calves that don’t meet the protocol do not affect the rest of the calves in the group for meeting the PVP.
- Cattle enrolled in AgInfoLink’s PVP for age and source verification may be eligible for multiple PVP and QSA Programs.
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If I am approved under the PVP, will I be recognized as an approved supplier for a QSA?
A: Most QSAs will accept documentation from a PVP supplier without requiring additional auditing. The Process Verified Program is responsible for ensuring the verification of the participant’s information, and thus relieves the QSA of this responsibility.
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What can the AgInfoLink PVP “umbrella” provide for me?
A: The ability to make age and source verification claims without enrolling into a separate QSA or PVP. The umbrella portion of the AgInfoLink PVP allows AgInfoLink to train agents or verification centers (like cattlemen’s associations or veterinarians) to perform the enrollment and data verification steps in your local area. The PVP also enables producers to share information on source and age verification with others in the industry without being subject to audits by other industry segments.
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How do I become enrolled and approved in the AgInfoLink PVP?
A: Participants must have a current customer contract with AgInfoLink or with an AgInfoLink network partner. Participants must then complete a PVP Enrollment Form. AgInfoLink (or its agent or sub-contractor) will conduct an on-site evaluation of the participant. AgInfoLink will then notify the participant of approval/disapproval.
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If I am approved as a supplier under the AgInfoLink Process Verified Program, will I be audited?
A: Yes. You would participate in an on site data verification audit prior to approval and would be subject to random audits by AgInfoLink or its contractors, or USDA, AMS. USDA AMS could audit your operation as part of the audit process insuring that the AgInfoLink Process Verified Program is meeting its requirements.
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Do suppliers of cattle under the AgInfoLink’s USDA-approved Process Verified Program need to be trained?
A: Training is required for any suppliers of animals that have responsibilities in the PVP documentation process. AgInfoLink and/or agent of AgInfoLink will train your personnel based on the claims for which you have been approved, including training on basic understanding of a quality system, tagging procedures, and record keeping supporting age and source verification claims.
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What is involved in the training process?
A: AgInfoLink or its agent will be required to complete an enrollment form with your herd information. As part of the enrollment process, the agent will be required to view your documentation and verify that all necessary information is accessible. This will require an onsite evaluation at your home or ranch office. Once the onsite evaluation and all enrollment information is completed and submitted and approved by AgInfoLink, acceptance to the PVP for age and source should be expected within two weeks.
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Can I qualify for the PVP by using only signed affidavits?
A: No. All participants require site evaluations by AgInfoLink agents or auditors to review customer processes, documentation, and live animal production records. Signed affidavits alone are not sufficient to qualify participation.
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How are animals identified in the AgInfoLink PVP?
A: All animals in the AgInfoLink PVP must be uniquely and individually identified. For cattle, all animals must be tagged with an AgInfoLink ISO-compliant RFID ear tags or other identification approved by AgInfoLink on a case basis.
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How will buyers know my animals are covered by the PVP?
A: Participants will receive an official letter recognizing their approval for participation in the AgInfoLink PVP. Participants may also request that AgInfoLink provide official certificates for groups of animals which the participant can provide to subsequent owners or agents. AgInfoLink may also provide these certificates directly to subsequent owners at the PVP participant’s request.
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What is a premises I.D.? Why do I need one?
A: A premises ID is a unique 7-character number to identify a specific farm or ranch location. These numbers are issued by the USDA-APHIS. If your farm or ranch covers several locations, each location will have a separate premises I.D. Producers should contact their respective state animal health authority (typically their state veterinarian) for an application. AgInfoLink requires premises ID for participation in its Process Verified Program.
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What is conforming product under the AgInfoLink PVP?
A: Conforming product are the identified cattle and the verified data in the AgInfoLink system.
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What is non-conforming product?
A: Cattle that cannot be verified for age and source, or who weren't identified uniquely to the ranch of origin, and where all suppliers are not AgInfoLink PVP approved or approved under another USDA Process Verified Program.
Features
and Benefits
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 validate
age, source and process verification. Data collection
may occur with any of AgInfoLink's traceability tools and
through third party systems.
Convenience:
- Sell to more than one packer or feedlot without increasing paperwork.
- Most QSAs will accept documentation from a PVP supplier without requiring additional auditing.
Confidentiality:
- PVP auditing by AgInfoLink eliminates need for packer or feeder QSA audits of rancher animal records, therefore protecting producer confidentiality.
- Prevent access to sensitive records and keep herd data confidential
Flexibility:
- Calves that don’t meet the protocol do not affect the rest of the calves in the group for meeting the PVP.
- Cattle enrolled in AgInfoLink’s PVP for age and source verification may be eligible for multiple PVP and QSA Programs.
A primary
benefit of a PDSN is that it can connect databases from
different companies and provide a coherent cross-company
information flow and end-to-end data integrity.
How
To Get Started
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Request
and complete an Enrollment Form noting the data you want
verified.
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AgInfoLink
will review the Enrollment Form and schedule an on-site
review.
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On-site
review will include completion of Supplier Profile and
review of records to support verifiable claims
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Upon
an acceptable review, applicant is certified and covered
under AgInfoLink's USDA Process Verified Program.
Approved
Customers
AgInfoLink delivers Verification Services through its approved Verification Partners or directly with other approved entities.
Approved Verification Partners include:
AgSolutions
AniPro/Xtraformance Feeds
Camp Cooley Beef
CUP Lab
HAT Ranch
Iowa Cattlemen's Association
Kentucky Beef Network
MFA Health Track
Pfizer Animal Health
South Dakota Certified Beef
United Producers
Wyoming Business Council
Contact Us
Please contact us at 800-282-0570 or by email at pvp@aginfolink.com for more information about the program and pricing.
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. It is limited to programs or portions of programs where specified process verified points are supported by a documented quality management system. The specified process verified points are identified by the supplier.
For more information on process verification, visit USDA’s website at http://ProcessVerified.usda.gov
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