USDA Approves First Blockchain-Based Cattle Certification

CattleProof's cow NFTs are now officially recorded by the USDA.

Overview of CattleProof's Achievement

• CattleProof, a Wyoming-based company, has launched a decentralized cow verification service called "Verified," which has been recognized as the first blockchain-based Process Verified Program (PVP) by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
• This innovative technology utilizes a decentralized digital ledger to log information regarding individual cows. It integrates data from electronic identification tags attached to the animals with updates about their health, location, and other characteristics, all stored on an immutable blockchain.

Significance of USDA Approval

• CattleProof has become the first U.S. company to gain USDA approval for its blockchain-based cattle management system.
• The approval was announced on LinkedIn, marking a significant milestone for the company in the agricultural sector.

Understanding the Process Verified Program

• The USDA's PVP is designed for organizations like CattleProof that are pioneering new regulatory frameworks to market their products.
• As the first company to establish a decentralized network for cattle monitoring, CattleProof successfully created and submitted a set of voluntary standards for government evaluation.
• The company asserts that it is the sole USDA-approved PVP utilizing blockchain technology and offers unique services such as "Born in the USA" certification for cattle, digital certificates linked to individual animal data, and integration with Heartland Payments for direct transactions of USDA-verified cattle.

Implications for the Agricultural Sector

• The acceptance of CattleProof's application indicates that the company has met existing regulatory standards and has developed processes to ensure ongoing compliance as blockchain technology continues to influence agriculture.
• The USDA's growing acceptance of blockchain as a foundational technology suggests a broader trend toward its integration within the agricultural industry.
• Recently, the USDA proposed amendments to its rules regarding organic products to incorporate blockchain technology for supply chain traceability.

This approval highlights the potential for blockchain to transform agricultural practices and regulatory compliance, paving the way for future innovations in the sector.