Neil E. Hammerschmidt
Coordinator
National Animal Identification Systems
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services

Mr. Neil E. Hammerschmidt joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in November 2003 to serve as a project manager in Veterinary Services for the development of the national animal identification plan.

Hammerschmidt brings a wealth of policy development and administrative experience to this position, in which he serves as a project manager to advance the development of a national animal identification plan for the United States.  Before coming to USDA, Hammerschmidt served 26 years with the National Holstein Association in various field and management positions, providing direction in developing and administering programs and services for dairy producers.  He was, for example, product manager for on-farm identification programs and initiated the development of the National Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR) program.

Just prior to joining the APHIS staff, Hammerschmidt served as Chief Operating Officer of the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC).  The WLIC offers an industry-driven, proactive approach to the development of an animal identification and information system that supports national animal disease management programs while enhancing marketing opportunities for Wisconsin’s livestock-based products.

In addition to fulfilling his normal duties, Hammerschmidt chaired the Identification and Information System Committee of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) from 1998 to 2003.  In 2003, he was also appointed by USDA as one of the chairs of the National Identification Development Team Steering Committee.  He has served as the U.S. representative on both the Identification Committee of the International Committee on Animal Recording and the ISO Working Group 3 for International Standards for Electronic Identification of Animals.  He has also served as a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Animal I.D. Subcommittee.

Hammerschmidt is the recipient of several awards from NIAA, including the “2004 Meritorious Service Award” in recognition of his leadership in establishing a national system for animal identification in the United States.  

Hammerschmidt was raised on a wheat, dairy, and backgrounding operation in west-central Kansas.  He graduated from Kansas State University in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in animal science.  He is married with three children.