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New testing requirements effective March 1, 2007.

December 28, 2006

3 Min Read

The Michigan Farm Bureau is urging cattle producers to attend informational meetings being held across the state by the Michigan Department of Agriculture to inform producers about modifications to the state's bovine tuberculosis eradication efforts, which will affect cattle movement in many areas, as well as mandatory electronic identification of cattle. The meetings kicked off Monday in Sandusky and continue through Jan. 30.

On Tuesday, MDA announced that effective March 1, 2007, cattle older than six months of age in Michigan's Modified Accredited Advanced TB Zone will have to be tested for the respiratory disease in order to move out of the zone, unless the animals are going directly to slaughter or moved in feeder channels. Currently, cattle up to 18 months of age can move out of the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone without a TB test. In addition, random surveillance will continue in the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone for one year and will include testing of 750 herds per year.

Michigan's Modified Accredited Advanced TB Zone covers nearly all of the Lower Peninsula, excluding 11 counties and portions of two counties in the Peninsula's northern tip where TB has been found. The endemic area is designated as the Modified Accredited Zone. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed to recognize the Upper Peninsula as a TB Free Zone.

"The changes to the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone mean the majority of the state's cattle producers may have to test cattle that, up to this point, could be moved without a TB test. While it's somewhat onerous for producers, the industry understands that the testing is necessary for the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone to achieve TB-free status," said Ernie Birchmeier, MFB livestock and dairy specialist. "The Upper Peninsula has already been classified as TB-free, and we want the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone to be upgraded the same so that all of the state's eradication efforts can concentrate on the Modified Accredited Zone where we know the problem exists."
Birchmeier said MDA is in the process of completing an application that requests USDA to re-classify the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone as a TB Free Zone, so the testing and movement restrictions announced this week may be short-term.

Meanwhile, random surveillance will continue for one year in the U.P.'s TB Free Zone. A total of 25 randomly selected cattle herds in the U.P. will be tested. In addition, a certificate for movement will be required for certain classes of animals prior to movement to other zones within Michigan.

Testing and movement requirements will remain the same in the Modified Accredited Zone.

Also effective March 1, 2007, electronic identification ear tags will be mandatory statewide for movement of cattle from farms. A certificate for movement will also be required prior to movement to other TB zones within Michigan.

"There's a lot coming down the pike, and cattle producers should take advantage of every opportunity they get to learn for themselves how TB zoning changes and animal ID will affect their farm. Attending one of the MDA meetings is a prime way to cut through the confusion in the countryside," said Birchmeier.

To learn more, go to www.michigan.gov/mda or www.michigan.gov/bovineTB or call MDA at (517) 373-1077.

Schedule for MDA bovine TB zoning and electronic ID meetings

Jan. 16 - 7 p.m.
Tulppo's Motel Restaurant & Bar
Corner M-28 & M-45
Bruce Crossing
906-827-3555

Jan. 17 - 1p.m. Central Time
Menominee Co. Extension Office
S904 US-41
Stephenson
906-753-2209

Jan. 17 - 7 p.m.
MSU Cooperative Extension Office
2840 College Avenue
Escanaba
906-786-3032

Jan. 18 - 1 p.m.
Bruce Township Hall
3156 E. 12 Mile Road
Dafter
906-635-3058

Jan. 25 - Noon
Fraternal Order of Eagles
515 S. Wisconsin
Gaylord
(989) 732-2921

Jan. 25 - 7 p.m.
Quality Inn / Forwards Conference Center
2980 Cook Road (exit 212 off I-75)
West Branch
989-345-3503

Jan. 29 - 6:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Community Education Center
714 South Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo
616-337-0461

Jan. 30 - 1p.m.
Doherty Hotel and Conference Center
604 North McEwan
Clare
1-800-525-4115

Jan. 30 - 6:30 p.m.
Clare Primary School
205 East Wheaton Avenue
Clare
989-386-3438

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