Released March 8, 2010
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Results from a recent USDA review have returned with overall positive indications for Minnesota’s bovine tuberculosis (TB) program. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health, with help from its partners, is working aggressively to again upgrade Minnesota’s bovine TB status levels.
Minnesota’s split-state status, awarded in October of 2008, has upgraded most of Minnesota to Modified Accredited Advanced, while a pocket in northwest Minnesota remains Modified Accredited. Testing requirements depend on the status level and on the classification of animal being shipped. Currently, Minnesota producers must follow state and federal regulations for interstate movement of cattle, goats, farmed cervidae and bison. For animals being shipped out of state, producers should contact their veterinarian or the receiving state’s animal health agency for movement regulations.
Wild deer disease surveillance continues in northwest Minnesota with the Department of Natural Resources’ commitment to eradicate bovine TB in the wildlife population. University of Minnesota research has resulted in management strategies that can help producers minimize the risk of disease transmission between whitetail deer and cattle.
For example, the University has evaluated novel approaches to fencing for exclusion of whitetail deer from the stored cattle feed which attracts them. Research shows that electric fencing is a low-cost approach to reducing the presence of wildlife in feed storage areas.
--continued on University of Minnesota Extension news
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