WLSB elects officers, discusses animal disease and traceability at November meeting
The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) held its fall meeting on Nov. 15 in Casper.
There was good attendance at the meeting, which included discussion on the board’s position on the requirements of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Rule, the development and adoption of an anthrax disease response protocol and the election of officers.
ADT Rule discussion
WLSB Director Steve True led off the conversation about the ADT Rule by sharing summaries of conversations held with USDA staff regarding language in the rule and how Wyoming statue directs the response and WLSB’s ability to keep producer information confidential.
True also touched on the agency’s role in informing producers and veterinarians on what it takes to comply with the new rule.
State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel, Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Rose Digianantonio and Field Veterinarian Dr. Teckla Webb offered a short presentation on changes from the previous rule.
Hasel spoke to radio frequency identification (RFID) tag availability and how these tags are distributed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
WLSB heard from several commenters on the ADT Rule including Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY), State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, State Rep. Chip Neiman, State Senator-Elect Laura Pearson, Utah Animal Industry Director Leeann Hunting, the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and several Wyoming producers.
Hunting and the Wyoming legislators spoke to an idea offered by the state of Utah regarding the possibility of forging agreements between states allowing movement of cattle utilizing other identification options allowed in the ADT Rule.
The board had questions for each of these commenters.
After all public comments had been heard, WLSB Member Hugh Hageman of Fort Laramie offered two resolutions for the board to review.
Each of these resolutions would direct WLSB staff to seek memorandums of understanding with other states regarding movement of livestock to and from Wyoming without the requirement of RFID tags.
Both resolutions were amended and passed unanimously by the board. These resolutions will be finalized with the amendments and available on the WLSB website.
Anthrax report
Hasel presented her animal health report, including the recent anthrax event in Carbon County. Though uncommon, these events carry a heavy toll.
In order to streamline and make producers aware of the process, Hasel and staff prepared a compendium including a factsheet and disease response protocol for anthrax in Wyoming.
WLSB voted to adopt the offered anthrax protocol for the state, and this information will soon be posted on the WLSB website.
It should be noted by all who may review this protocol, certain areas maintain a great amount of flexibility in order to meet unforeseen needs in the event of an outbreak. In fact, all disease outbreak response plans require this flexibility.
Hasel and staff have also recently completed an updated Reportable Disease List for the state of Wyoming, which will also be posted on the WLSB website.
Election of officers
Additionally, WLSB held an election of officers during the Nov. 15 meeting.
Mary Owens of Casper was elected president and Hugh Hageman of Fort Laramie was elected vice president.
Board members and staff profusely thank outgoing President Shaun Sims and Vice President Kirby Camino for their service and consistency, having served three consecutive terms each in those positions.
True also informed the board of the recent retirement of Criminal Investigator Joel Senior and thanked him for his service, then introduced Senior Criminal Investigator Chris Strang and recently hired Criminal Investigator Cody Meyers of Casper.
WLSB is responsible for the protection of livestock interests in the state of Wyoming from disease and theft. Seven members are appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate for six-year terms. For more information, visit wlsb.state.wy.us.
