Calgary, Alberta—February 18, 2015— BIXSco Inc. (BIXSco) and Cargill Limited (Cargill) have released further details of a signed master agreement through which Cargill will provide the past three years of beef carcass data, and all future data, to BIXSco.
This agreement is a tremendous step forward in enabling the tracking of cattle production information through the supply chain—allowing everyone from producers, packers, and retailers to unlock the value of their data and reflect the pride of the Canadian cattle industry by allowing it to verify the quality of its beef.
“Access to carcass data has long been identified as the major roadblock to industry-wide data sharing as it relates to cattle production information throughout the supply chain. With this agreement, that roadblock has been removed,” said Hubert Lau, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIXSco. “In partnership with Cargill, we look forward to helping the industry unlock value by sharing data through the Beef InfoXChange System (BIXS), which now includes more detailed carcass data to help beef producers improve management and profitability.”
Lau added that BIXS’ data management system is currently being rebuilt to accommodate the anticipated high volume of data. The more robust system will also allow the supply chain to buy and sell data up-and downstream. The enhanced BIXS data management system will continue to ensure no personal information is shared through the system; users will remain anonymous until they choose to contact a source of information.
”Cargill has worked with BIXS since its inception in 2009. We look forward to continuing on this journey and embracing the potential of this data management system,” said Chantelle Donahue, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cargill.
“This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring information flows up and down the cattle value chain,” said Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.“
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Contact: Joni Avram, Cause & Effect Marketing at 403-617-5496 or joni@causeeffect.ca
Background
What does the Cargill agreement enable?
The agreement provides for the last three years of carcass data for cattle processed and all future carcass data to be provided to BIXS, in trust, as available. At present, fifteen fields of data will be provided. Initial data transfer will start with their Alberta asset, but will work towards including Ontario when the time is right.
When will the data be accessible?
The data will be provided to BIXS following an audit by Cargill of BIXS’ privacy functions. The audit is partially complete. Additionally, BIXS’ data management system is currently being rebuilt to accommodate the anticipated high volume of data, and providing a better system that will allow for robust data trading up-and downstream.
Who pays for what?
BIXS is similar to a stock market by allowing buyers and sellers to exchange data for a price. In addition to purchasing carcass data (which will help producers improve their operating efficiency and profitability), producers will also be able to sell their management data to others, allowing them to be compensated for their work in capturing data.
Much data lies dormant in desktops across the country. BIXS allows all parts of the supply chain to unlock the value of data by sharing it and determining fair value for based on market factors. The end result is a supply chain that is more knowledgeable, productive, profitable, and responsive to increasing demand by domestic and foreign consumers for more information about the quality of Canadian beef.
About BIXS
BIXS was established in 2009 as a platform for information sharing. The BIXS database includes information about individual animal and carcass data, management protocols, and health treatments. No personal information is shared through the system; users remain anonymous until they choose to contact a source of information.
This agreement is a tremendous step forward in enabling the tracking of cattle production information through the supply chain—allowing everyone from producers, packers, and retailers to unlock the value of their data and reflect the pride of the Canadian cattle industry by allowing it to verify the quality of its beef.
“Access to carcass data has long been identified as the major roadblock to industry-wide data sharing as it relates to cattle production information throughout the supply chain. With this agreement, that roadblock has been removed,” said Hubert Lau, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIXSco. “In partnership with Cargill, we look forward to helping the industry unlock value by sharing data through the Beef InfoXChange System (BIXS), which now includes more detailed carcass data to help beef producers improve management and profitability.”
Lau added that BIXS’ data management system is currently being rebuilt to accommodate the anticipated high volume of data. The more robust system will also allow the supply chain to buy and sell data up-and downstream. The enhanced BIXS data management system will continue to ensure no personal information is shared through the system; users will remain anonymous until they choose to contact a source of information.
”Cargill has worked with BIXS since its inception in 2009. We look forward to continuing on this journey and embracing the potential of this data management system,” said Chantelle Donahue, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cargill.
“This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring information flows up and down the cattle value chain,” said Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.“
-30-
Contact: Joni Avram, Cause & Effect Marketing at 403-617-5496 or joni@causeeffect.ca
Background
What does the Cargill agreement enable?
The agreement provides for the last three years of carcass data for cattle processed and all future carcass data to be provided to BIXS, in trust, as available. At present, fifteen fields of data will be provided. Initial data transfer will start with their Alberta asset, but will work towards including Ontario when the time is right.
When will the data be accessible?
The data will be provided to BIXS following an audit by Cargill of BIXS’ privacy functions. The audit is partially complete. Additionally, BIXS’ data management system is currently being rebuilt to accommodate the anticipated high volume of data, and providing a better system that will allow for robust data trading up-and downstream.
Who pays for what?
BIXS is similar to a stock market by allowing buyers and sellers to exchange data for a price. In addition to purchasing carcass data (which will help producers improve their operating efficiency and profitability), producers will also be able to sell their management data to others, allowing them to be compensated for their work in capturing data.
Much data lies dormant in desktops across the country. BIXS allows all parts of the supply chain to unlock the value of data by sharing it and determining fair value for based on market factors. The end result is a supply chain that is more knowledgeable, productive, profitable, and responsive to increasing demand by domestic and foreign consumers for more information about the quality of Canadian beef.
About BIXS
BIXS was established in 2009 as a platform for information sharing. The BIXS database includes information about individual animal and carcass data, management protocols, and health treatments. No personal information is shared through the system; users remain anonymous until they choose to contact a source of information.