Brucellosis rules to be discussed

Casper – Rules surrounding brucellosis will take center stage on Monday, Aug. 11 when the Wyoming Livestock Board meets in Casper beginning at 1 p.m. at the UW Outreach Building on Poplar Street.
    At the local level, discussion will focus on the state’s Chapter 2 Brucellosis rules. Assistant State Veterinarian Jim Logan, during a conference call with state vets from Montana, Idaho and Wyoming on Aug. 5, said the age at which heifers must be vaccinated will be among the topics discussed.
    If members of the Wyoming Livestock Board choose to amend the state’s Chapter 2 brucellosis rules when they meet on Monday, an opportunity for public comment would follow. Agency leaders were traveling to meetings this week, but watch next week’s Roundup for additional information on possible changes discussed.
    Logan is hopeful other states will follow Wyoming’s lead in amending their regulations. “If we could get some uniformity between our states it would give us a better opportunity to visit with other states,” said Logan of the potential with the livestock industry from the three-state area to work together.
    State Vets, and other participating in the Aug. 5 teleconference, agreed to address the federal regulations surrounding brucellosis. There was widespread agreement the regulations were written at a time when livestock to livestock transmission was the biggest risk, not wildlife to livestock transmission.
    Logan also offered an update on the Daniel herd where brucellosis was discovered earlier this year.  “We don’t know an exact number of cattle we’ll be testing, but it will be in the neighborhood of 5,000 and 7,000 head,” said Logan of tests to be completed prior to October.
    The Livestock Board’s meeting will continue on Tuesday, Aug. 12 with a discussion on the National Animal Identification System, a change in the Cheyenne office location, potential legislation, the agency budget and mileage rates for the state’s brand inspectors. On Wednesday, Aug. 13 the agency will be hosting a listening session on animal identification and disease response preparedness at McKibben Cafeteria on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon.
    Jennifer Womack is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at roundup@wylr.net.