FAQ
The Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) is developed by Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) in association with industry, including the Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC), to facilitate voluntary national cattle and beef information exchange primarily between producers, feedlots, and packers.
It is a stand alone, secure database and information analysis program initiated and run, for now, by the CCA with the database hosted in Canada. The information flows into and out of the database across the chain linked to the animal’s unique CCIA RFID tag. BIXS is also a tool within the Canadian Beef Advantage (CBA), a validation process for current and future value attributes like age and source verification, VBP-OFFS, environmental and humane animal care programs and more.
What is CBBC role?
CBBC is a founding partner in BIXS. CBBC’s role is to assure the purebred sector’s needs are included in the information flow and provide a means whereby breed associations can submit and access data on behalf of their members. In addition, CBBC ensures individual purebred producers and exporters can participate too.
What is the benefit to purebred producers?
CBBC-BIXS provides producers with the opportunity to easily access and exchange, electronically, production and carcass information, (including electronic grading results - when available) with cow-calf producers, exporters, feedlots, and packers who are participating in the program.
What is the role of the Breed Association?
The primary role of participating breed associations is to facilitate the exchange of the information between the CBBC-BIXS and their membership. This includes: collecting CCIA RFID unique tag numbers so the cow-calf, feedlot and carcass information can be cross-referenced to the breed registry records ; and submitting, on behalf of their membership, age verification data to CLTS, avoiding duplication of data entry by producer; and to develop programs and services that members can use to help improve their genetics. Breed associations will also provide knowledge transfer and aggregated reports to help improve and promote the breed.
Who owns the data?
The producer, feedlot operator, or packer each owns their own data and are responsible for its accuracy. Data sharing agreements are in place for all participants to accept and agree to before submitting their purebred, cow calf, feedlot, or carcass information.
Who shares the data?
Participants, (producers, exporters, feedlots, packers) who submit data are then part of the system and can access data on animals they have had under their management/ownership during the life of the animal.
What is the cost to the Producer?
There is no cost to participants as the project is currently funded under Federal and Provincial governments programs.
What is the cost to breed associations?
Breed associations wanting to submit data on behalf of their members will need to enhance their registry computer systems to collect and submit the to the CBBC-BIXS data. The development cost may vary from association to association and CBBC will be working with associations to try to secure funding for these system development costs. Breed associations will be responsible for administrating the program.
If you have a question not addressed here, please contact us or visit: www.canadianbeefbreeds.com or bixs.cattle.ca
