Animal traceability is the ability to follow an animal's or animal product's journey throughout the entire production chain: from birth to the supermarket shelf. In essence, it's knowing where each animal comes from, where it's been, and what was done to it at each stage.
In Argentina, bovine traceability is a central issue for both the domestic market and exports. As one of the world's leading beef exporters, the country needs to guarantee to buying markets that every cut of meat can be traced back to the animal and the establishment of origin.
SENASA (National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality) is the agency responsible for regulating and controlling animal traceability in Argentina. Through various resolutions and programs, SENASA establishes the rules that all livestock producers must follow.
Argentina uses an ear tag-based identification system placed in the animal's ear. There are different types:
Every livestock establishment in Argentina must be registered in RENSPA (National Health Registry of Agricultural Producers). The RENSPA number identifies the establishment and producer and is required for any cattle movement.
Data included in RENSPA:
The DTe replaced the old paper transit guides. It's the electronic document that authorizes cattle movement between establishments, auctions, packing plants, or any other destination.
The DTe is processed through SENASA's SIGSA (Integrated Animal Health Management System). The process requires:
1. Having an updated RENSPA
2. Having mandatory vaccinations up to date
3. Declaring the quantity and category of animals to move
4. Indicating origin, destination, and transporter
5. Obtaining movement approval
Argentina operates primarily with a group traceability system: lots of animals and their movements between establishments are controlled. However, for certain export markets, individual traceability is required.
SENASA has been advancing progressive digitalization of the traceability system. Trends include:
Complying with all traceability requirements can seem overwhelming, especially if you do it manually. Modern livestock software like Agrodeo greatly simplifies the process:
Every time you move an animal between pens or paddocks in the system, it's automatically recorded with date, time, origin, and destination. This gives you a complete history of each animal without additional effort.
The system lets you associate all of an animal's ear tags (official, RFID, management) in a single profile. You can search for any animal by any of its identification numbers.
All vaccinations, treatments, and diagnostics are recorded digitally. When you need to present documentation for a DTe or audit, you generate the report with one click.
Agrodeo helps you keep your stock declarations up to date, facilitating reconciliation with RENSPA and avoiding discrepancies that could cause problems with SENASA.
If you export or plan to export to markets requiring individual traceability, starting to record data individually now prepares you for the future. When the time comes, you'll already have all the necessary information.
Animal traceability in Argentina is much more than a bureaucratic requirement: it's a strategic tool that protects your business, opens markets, and adds value to your production. Complying with SENASA regulations doesn't have to be complicated if you use the right tools.
With Agrodeo, you can manage all your herd's traceability from your phone, without papers or spreadsheets. Record movements, control ear tags, generate health reports, and keep your RENSPA updated — all in one place.
Start free today and give your livestock the traceability that markets demand.