Animal Bytes

July 13, 2012

U of M President Shows Support of Agriculture and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

The University of Minnesota(U of M) president has shown his strong support of Minnesota agriculture and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) by dedicating additional funding to the VDL.

The VDL is the official laboratory of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and offers in-state diagnostic and surveillance testing of diseases in domestic and wild animals. Without adequate recurring funds, the VDL could no longer support the high volumes of testing associated with Minnesota's livestock industry. Last September, the U of M Board of Regents and President Kaler allocated an additional $800k each for 2011 and 2012. This spring, President Kaler dedicated another $500k in recurring funds for the 2012-2013 biennium.

Livestock and commodity groups have been working to spread the word of the important role the VDL plays in Minnesota's agriculture community. President Kaler and the Board of Regents listened to that message and took action to protect this valuable asset.

Thanks to the support of the agricultural community and President Kaler, the VDL will be able to continue to focus on providing quality diagnostic services and disease surveillance at competitive prices.

Rabid Fox in Benton County

A gray fox in Benton County tested positive for rabies on June 29. This is the first test-positive fox in Minnesota since 1992.

The fox approached a property owner and continued to follow the individual despite attempts to scare it away. The animal was also walking in circles and opening its mouth as if retching. Though rare in Minnesota, rabies should be considered a possibility for neurologic signs in foxes. To minimize risk of exposure to the rabies virus, contact with wildlife should be avoided.

Additioinal information on rabies in Minnesota

Wisconsin's Importation Requirements

Quarantines issued for failure to meet import regulations
All livestock that enters Wisconsin without official identification or testing, if it is required, is quarantined to the premises by Wisconsin animal health officials. The quarantine remains in place until the livestock are officially identified or tested and a new Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is completed.

Some Wisconsin farmers have been unable to show their livestock in state and county fairs due to quarantines resulting from CVIs that haven't met Wisconsin's import requirements. Accredited veterinarians are responsible for checking with the state of destination to verify import requirements before shipping animals. Doing so will help avoid burdens on farmers in the state of destination

Wisconsin also requires an Equine Infectious Anemia test within the calendar year for horses entering the state. For more information on Wisconsin's importation and official ID requirements, please call 608-224-4872.

USDA listing of states' import requirements

North Dakota Eases Import Requirements on Minnesota Cattle

By the North Dakota Board of Animal Health
The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health has relaxed importation requirements for Minnesota-origin cattle from all areas of Minnesota, except a small tract, formerly known as the "Bovine TB Management Zone."

"Minnesota's livestock producers, the Minnesota state veterinarian, and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and Department of Natural Resources have worked hard to eradicate bovine tuberculosis and to restore Minnesota's TB-free status," said Dr. Susan Keller, North Dakota state veterinarian. "North Dakota is confident that Minnesota cattle can be imported without additional testing."

Keller said North Dakota will continue to require a negative, whole herd TB test and a 60-day, negative TB test for individual animals from herds within the former bovine TB management zone, a small area in northern Minnesota.

Minnesota's TB outbreak started in 2005 when the disease was detected in a Roseau County herd. The North Dakota Board of Animal Health responded at that time by ordering additional testing of cattle imports from Minnesota.