By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State agriculture officials are compiling a database that will track farm animals throughout their lives. The state accelerated the push for a livestock tracking system after recent news that another Canadian dairy cow tested positive for mad cow disease. State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks says the Alabama Premises Registration System would be voluntary and would not create costs for farmers. State Veterinarian Doctor Tony Frazier says the state hopes to register 75 percent of farms by the end of the year.