WLSB reminds producers of animal health rules during breeding season
As springtime arrives, cattle producers may be planning to purchase or import breeding bulls and replacement females for their herds. Everyone is happy to see the late winter moisture arriving and anticipate green grass and warmer weather for a great breeding and grazing season.
The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) wants to remind cattle producers of animal health rules applying to importation of cattle, trichomoniasis testing, brucellosis testing and vaccination. Tuberculosis (TB) testing and official identification help streamline the purchase and importation processes and protect Wyoming cattle herds.
Importing cattle guidelines
Producers importing cattle from out of state must remember all cattle are required to have a certificate of veterinary inspection and an import permit. All sexually intact cattle are required to have official identification; all bison and cattle originating from any foreign country, whether imported directly or indirectly, shall be individually identified with a country of origin official tag which may not be removed during the life of the animal.
Non-virgin bulls and all bulls over 18 months of age are required to test negative for trichomoniasis within 60 days prior to importation with no sexual contact with females following test and importation. Bulls purchased from within Wyoming are required to be tested if they are non-virgin or 24 months of age and over. All trichomoniasis test eligible bulls sold or leased for reproductive purposes in Wyoming shall be tested one time by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) prior to the sale or lease, the issuance of a brand inspection form and/or delivery of the bull. All trichomoniasis test eligible bulls which will be grazed in common grazing or used by common grazing participants for breeding purposes. Prior to the common grazing, bulls shall test negative to one official trichomoniasis test prior to turn out.
Intact female requirements
WLSB requires all sexually intact female cattle used for breeding purposes in the state to be brucellosis vaccinated. The Chapter Two brucellosis rules state, “Before a change in ownership can occur for any sexually intact female Bovinae over 12 months of age, the Bovinae shall be an official calfhood vaccinate or an official adult vaccinate.”
Whether cattle are acquired from within Wyoming or from out of state, they must be brucellosis vaccinated prior to purchase. Non-brucellosis vaccinated adult females may be imported under quarantine and vaccinated post-calving with prior approval from the state veterinarian.
All sexually intact female cattle 12 months of age and over originating from within the Wyoming brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) – Park, Teton, Sublette, Lincoln and part of both Hot Springs and Fremont counties – are required to have a negative brucellosis test prior to change of ownership and prior to movement from the DSA.
Other considerations and resources
Buyers should also be aware cattle from some states and foreign countries may be required to be tested negative for TB. TB testing takes some time and could extend the amount of time required to get cattle imported into Wyoming, so please contact WLSB if intending to import cattle, especially from outside the U.S.
WLSB staff is ready to help cattle producers facilitate importation and answer questions regarding trichomoniasis, brucellosis, official identification and board requirements. Please call WLSB at 307-777-7515, or visit wlsb.state.wy.us/public for further information.
Dr. Hallie Hasel is the Wyoming state veterinarian. She may be reached by calling the WLSB or by e-mailing sbforms-applications@wyo.gov.
