Rule reminders: WLSB and state vet address frequently asked questions about ADT Rule
On Nov. 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Rule went in to effect.
This rule requires identification (ID) tags for interstate movement of sexually-intact cattle, yak and bison 18 months of age or older; cattle, yak and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreation events or shown for exhibition and all dairy cattle be both visually and electronically readable.
A factsheet coauthored by the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) and Wyoming Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Rose Digianantonio outlines the requirements under the new rule and answers producers’ most frequently asked questions.
What is animal disease traceability?
According to the factsheet, animal disease traceability is defined as “the ability to obtain information about infected and exposed animals likely to spread disease.”
This information includes where animals are, where they have been and when they were at each location, which can be used to help reduce the number of animals affected in a disease trace and ensure a quick and efficient response in the case of a disease outbreak.
WLSB and Digianantonio note there are three things needed during a disease trace – official identification, good recordkeeping and documentation of animal movement.
They further point out official ID and good records are crucial as they help locate animals with the disease or animals which have been exposed to the disease faster and with less labor; halt the spread of disease faster, which decreases the number of sick or exposed animals, the number of quarantined animals and the number of tests required and decreases the overall time, labor and expense of disease traceability.
What are forms of official ID?
Official ID under the new rule includes eartags which are both visually and electronically readable, a group or lot ID, breed registry tattoos and/or breed registration certificates and a registered brand and official brand inspection certificate.
Official electronic ID tags must have the U.S. shield and the ability to be read by an electronic reader. The first three numbers of an official electronic ID must be “840.”
According to WLSB and Digianantonio, metal tags placed prior to Nov. 5, 2024 are still considered official ID. Any metal tags placed after this date are not considered official ID.
What classes of cattle, yak and bison require official ID?
Classes of cattle, yak and bison moving across state lines subject to this new rule include sexually-intact animals 18 months of age or older, such as breeding cows, bred heifers or bulls over 18 months of age; dairy cattle of any age; rodeo or recreational event cattle, yak and bison of any age and exhibition cattle, yak and bison of any age.
Some classes of cattle, yak and bison staying within Wyoming state lines are subject to the rule as well.
These include animals receiving the brucellosis vaccine, animals within the brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) regulations, animals requiring regulatory testing and animals under commuter permits in Wyoming.
When is official ID required?
WLSB and Digianantonio explain some examples of situations where cattle, yak and bison would require official ID include cows or bulls sold out of state for breeding purposes, cows and heifers leaving the DSA, cows and heifers vaccinated or tested for brucellosis and show cattle participating in out-of-state events.
On the other hand, situations which do not require cattle, yak and bison to have official ID include heifers less than 18 months of age going to a feedlot out of state; steers going to a feedlot out of state; cattle, yak and bison going direct to slaughter with an approved backtag placed and cattle, yak and bison going directly to an approved tagging site.
To conclude, WLSB and Digianantonio note destination states may have more stringent rules.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
