Opinion by Jim Logan

Wyoming Chapter 15 Trichomoniasis Rules in a Nutshell
By Jim Logan, Wyoming State Veterinarian

    Cattle breeding season is already in full swing in most areas of Wyoming, and efforts to prevent trichomoniasis have been taken by producers ahead of breeding turnout.
    Trichomoniasis continues to be a cattle reproduction nemesis in all western states, including Wyoming, and we have already found 10 cases so far this testing season. There are a number of things in the Chapter 15 Trichomoniasis rules that need to be clarified for the producers and veterinarians who are doing the trich testing. These listed requirements are the minimum, and some areas, such as the special focus area in Uinta, Sweetwater and Lincoln counties, have additional requirements that are more strict.
•    All non-virgin bulls turned out on common grazing allotments are required to be tested negative one time before turn out.
•    All non-virgin bulls changing ownership for breeding purposes must be certified trichomoniasis negative.
•    All bulls sold in Wyoming through a livestock market for breeding purposes must be certified trichomoniasis negative within 60 days of purchase and before commingling with female cattle.
•    Laboratory tests must be conducted on individual samples, NOT pooled samples.
•    Veterinarians doing trichomoniasis testing MUST be trichomoniasis certified. Certification must be renewed every five years.
    Producers, please be sure that the veterinarian doing your trich testing is certified so your test will be recognized as valid.
•    Proper individual identification signifying that a bull has been trichomoniasis tested MUST be applied by the certified veterinarian.
    The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) provides official trichomoniasis test identification tags to certified veterinarians free of charge. It is NOT optional whether or not to ID each tested bull with the official tag. The official tag must be applied to each tested bull to signify compliance with the Chapter 15 rules. When official ID is not present on bulls turned out on common grazing, we have many problems to deal with.
    Producers, please demand that your veterinarian apply an official trich test tag to your bulls at testing time to avoid extra work in complying with the rules.
•    Cattle (bulls or cows) that breach a fence and commingle with another producer’s cattle are required to be tested at the owner’s expense if requested by the breached-upon producer.
    Producers, if this happens to you, there is a protocol listed in the rules that must be followed. Please read the rules.
•    Veterinarians are required to report positive trich test results to the state veterinarian.
•    When an infected bull is found, the herd of origin is quarantined and a quarantine release plan, including testing, is written.
•    Bulls from herds that have commingled or are adjacent to an infected herd are required to be tested one time within 60 days of notification of exposure.
    Trichomoniasis can be an economically devastating disease if it gets into your cattle herd. The Wyoming cattle industry and the WLSB have worked hard for several years to address this significant problem. The only way we can be successful is for all cattle producers and veterinarians to be diligent in managing against the disease and complying with the industry driven rules.
    A copy of the Chapter 15 Trichomoniasis rules can be obtained from the WLSB website wlsb.state.wy.us or from the offices of the board at 1934 Wyott Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or 610 Fairground Road, Riverton, WY 82501.
    For more information call Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan at 307-857-4140, Assistant State Veterinarian Bob Meyer at 307-777-6440 or WLSB Field Veterinarian Chris Strang at 307-256-4019.