07/06/2024
Morning, thought I would give a little update on some things as fair season starts to roll around. Grab a chair, this one might get long.
H5N1 in dairy and poultry still sucks and remains an issue. Multiple tests by several organizations have proven that pasteurization renders the virus dead, meaning the commercial pasteurized dairy product chain is safe.
Several people have been diagnosed with H5N1, likely due to direct exposure to sick animals and raw non-pasteurized milk. At this time, it appears to be mild symptoms like pink eye, so the CDC is still classifying the human risk as a low threat.
Symptoms in cattle remain the same as previously mentioned in other posts. It is still highly pathogenic in avians. However, one big concern is the symptoms developing in cats. There have been a large number of barn cats that have been on known positive dairy herds and flocks that rapidly develop neurological symptoms, and often 50%+ that develop symptoms die. This is likely due to exposure from eating wild birds or drinking non-pasteurized milk. Either way it’s not what anyone wants to see.
As of June 28th there have been 7 positive cattle herds in MN ranging from 5 different counties. This has lead to changes in Exhibition rules in MN as fair season rolls around and other dairy shows continue to figure out how to let these kids still show the animals they all love and care for. Unfortunately, a lot of these shows have canceled or denied entry of animals meeting the lactating label specifications. As it currently stands in MN as of June 18th, until further notice, for animals going to shows (exhibition) in MN:
*Any LACTATING DAIRY BREED animal, even if originating from MN, now needs to have a negative H5N1 test and Veterinary health paper (CVI) done no sooner than 7 days before the exhibition begins.*
https://www.bah.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/documents/Exhibition-Requirements-for-Lactating-Dairy-Cattle.pdf
In other news, the USDA now decided with all the chaos going on why not toss another stick in the flame. They ruled on May 9th, and the MN BAH then had to follow suit, that the type of official ID in CATTLE and BISON only is changing. As of November 5th 2024 the only form of official ID allowed to be placed will have to be both visually and electronically readable (think the 840 button RFID tags). This change is the type of tag only, and currently there is NO CHANGE in what animals need official ID.
**So if it needs a tag now, plan on updating what type of tags you will be required to use.**
This would include but not limited to, animals at exhibition, animals traveling across state lines with a CVI (every state has their own rules on what needs official ID), and animals sold at livestock markets and other sales that would be going out as breeding/show/replacement stock.
Wyoming is currently having a “hold my beer” moment with the USDA, and I’d expect several other states to join in the fight soon. But as it stands now, you may want to contact the MN BAH, and with your premise ID get on the list to get some of the tags that they are offering for free if your herd qualifies. They are significantly more expensive then the metal clip tags or other non-RFID tags (think fair tags) that will no longer be able to be used after November. If it is an old style official ID placed before November 5th those tags are grandfathered in, so no you will not have to cut tags out and start over or place another tag.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3a65242
As always: Here’s to a happy, safe, and successful show season! And maybe, just possibly, a government that can slow its roll just a bit and try to focus on us here at home, and not making the wants and needs of the international markets a priority. Take care until next time!