USDA approves blockchain system for cattle certification

CattleProof, a Wyoming-based company, has made history by becoming the first firm to receive the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval for its blockchain-based Process Verified Program (PVP). 

This innovative approach uses decentralised ledger technology to track and verify individual cows through electronic identification tags. 

The tags record vital data, such as the animals' location, condition, and other important attributes, and store the information immutably on the blockchain. 

CattleProof’s approval under the USDA's PVP marks a significant step for the agricultural sector as it integrates blockchain technology into its regulatory framework. 

The PVP allows companies like CattleProof to establish voluntary standards that meet USDA requirements, enabling them to market their products with government-backed verification. 

In addition to being the first blockchain-based system approved by the USDA, CattleProof offers the only "Born in the USA" certification for cattle, as well as digital certificates linked to individual animal data. 

The firm also provides a platform that integrates with Heartland Payments, allowing buyers and sellers to trade USDA-verified cattle directly.