Farm & Ranch Guide: North Dakota's Ag Newspaper

Minnesota's cattle operations are facing more restrictions and testing in the near future.

The Board of Animal Health announced on Feb. 19 that cattle from a Beltrami County cattle operation tested positive for bovine Tuberculosis (TB).

This herd tested negative in 2005 and 2006, but during a third round of testing, TB was confirmed.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health Executive Director and State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann said Minnesota's TB status would be downgraded. The timeframe for that status change was unknown on Feb. 19.

Federal interstate movement requirements change with the status. States also have the option of setting their own requirements for cattle imports.

The current status, Modified Accredited Advanced, places no restrictions on feeder cattle or bison, requires a TB test within 60 days of movement for breeding cattle or bison, and requires no test for slaughter cattle or bison that are moving directly to slaughter at an approved slaughter facility.

Modified Accredited status, which Minnesota is likelyto be downgraded to, is more stringent and expensive.

Feeder cattle or bison need a negative TB test within 60 days of shipment. Breeding animals need a negative whole herd TB test within 12 months of shipment plus a negative individual animal TB test within 60 days. A TB test will not be required for bison or cattle going to slaughter.

Dairy operations are also affected. Under a Modified Accredited status, milk herds have to obtain annual negative TB herd test or earn an accredited herd status. Dairy farms could also participate in a state surveillance program.

Determining Minnesota's TB status has become a counting issue.

USDA keeps status levels for TB based on how many herds are found during a given fiscal year. The fiscal year for USDA starts in October and ends in September.

So far, four herds have tested positive for TB in the current fiscal year.

“It is best for producers that do have animals destined to other states to check with those state animal health officials for those requirements,” said Ted Radintz, Minnesota Department of Agriculture outreach coordinator.

The Board of Animal Health intended to send out 42,000 letters to cattle producers, veterinarians and auction markets across the state, explaining the situation and changes to interstate movement requirements.

Over 1,500 Minnesota cattle herds have tested negative for bovine tuberculosis as part of the Minnesota Bovine TB Surveillance program. An additional 326 herds were tested as part of the state's disease investigation and area testing efforts. Testing continues in northwestern Minnesota where the disease has been found.

The Minnesota Farmers Union Board of Directors voted in early February to support a split-state bovine TB status that would separate the treatment of the impacted area of Minnesota from the portion of the state not affected by TB.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says that exposure to bovine TB by the general public is very unlikely. Meat inspectors check all cattle entering the market for signs of the disease before and after slaughter. Any animals showing signs are withheld from the food supply. In addition, adequate cooking destroys the TB bacteria.

University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team member Ryan Walker spoke to producers attending Cow/Calf Days held across the state in mid-February. He encouraged producers to call the Minnesota TB Hotline at 1-877-668-2373 with any questions.

“If you are planning on breeding cattle, selling cattle or going to any shows (outside of Minnesota) in the next two or three months, call this TB Hotline,” Walker said. “Find out the TB testing requirements based on where you're going.”

For more information, visit http://www.bah.state.mn.us.