Cattle, Beef, Muscle Cuts of Beef, Ground Beef

Seed Stock/

Cow-Calf

Stocker/

Backgrounder

Preconditioning/

Feedlot

Slaughter/

Fabricator

Fabricator/

Processor

Distributor/

Retailer
Responsibilities
Provide enough information for an auditor to verify the origin and ownership of the animals identified and to verify the stated designation.  Properly identify and record all animals according to the designation. Identify and segregate animals as to the origin designation.  Properly identify all animals sold.  Maintain the integrity of the identification.  Maintain ownership transfer. Upon receipt properly identify animals according to their designation.  Segregate and control animals.  Properly identify all animals sold.  Maintain ownership records Segregate animals according to the country designation.  Segregate and control carcasses throughout the system and properly label products according to the country designation.  Document origin of all product. Transfer labels and identification of all products processed.  Operate under a labeling program.  Inventory all products according to the origin. Maintain the integrity of the labeled product.  If repackaged, transfer the original identification.  Inventory all products according to the origin.

Examples of Records and Activities that may be used
Birth Records Transportation records Transportation records Transportation Records Product Inventory Invoiced
Receiving Records Receiving Records Receiving Records Receiving Records Receiving Records Receiving Records
Purchase Records Purchase Records Purchase Records Purchase Records Purchase Records Purchase Records
Cow/Calf Tag ID system ID system ID system Plant ID System Production Record Sales Records
Sales Receipts Sales Receipts Sales Receipts Sales Receipts Sales Receipts Sales Receipts
Feed Bills Feed Bills Feed Bills Carcass ID Label Inventory Affidavits
Feeding Records Feeding Records Feeding Records Packaging Records Yield Sheet Inventory
Animal Inventory Transfer of ID system Pen Records Shipping Manifest Labeling requirements Labeling requirements
Acreage Inventory Declaration documents Shipping Records Weight Tickets UPC Codes Plant establishment #s
Site Maps Preconditioning Records Performance Records      
APHIS VS forms APHIS Requirements APHIS Requirements      
Production estimates VS forms and records VS forms and records VS forms and records    
Health records Health records Health records      
Ownership records     FSIS labeling regulations FSIS labeling regulations FSIS labeling regulations
Segregation plan Segregation plan Segregation plan Segregation plan Segregation plan Segregation plan
State Brand requirements State Brand requirements State Brand requirements      
Replacement Activities Replacement Activities Accounting for incoming      
BQA records BQA records BQA records      
Breeding stock papers          

Examples of Observations and Interview topics conducted by the auditor
Ranch/Farming Operations Segregation Activities Identification transfer activities Receiving, holding pens and slaughter SOPs Production operations and work orders Handling SOPs
Land attributes Size of location Computer records Production Operations Labeling SOPs Inventory
Training Records Feeding regimen Training Product switch over Box storage area Repackaging operations
Documented Procedures   Operating Procedures SOPs for labeling    
Financial Activities Financial Activities Financial Activities Financial Activities Financial Activities Financial Activities

Source: USDA