MN to IA cattle movement question

Does anyone have any expierence with moving cattle from MN to IA since the recent TB cases up there? The cattle are in a herd that has not been whole herd tested and the individuals have not been tested. I am not sure of the whole process of trying to get them here and if it is worth the hassle?
Thanks for any help!

Right now with out a whole herd test it is hard to move any breeding cattle ( bulls or heifers of any age). With steers you have chance but they still need an inividual TB test. Your best bet is to call the state vet in Iowa and find out what they require.

JCC said:

Does anyone have any expierence with moving cattle from MN to IA since the recent TB cases up there? The cattle are in a herd that has not been whole herd tested and the individuals have not been tested. I am not sure of the whole process of trying to get them here and if it is worth the hassle?
Thanks for any help!

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You need to call the Iowa state vet - 515-281-5305 to find out what their import requirements are. Since MN has not yet received split state status the entire state is at the lower status level (Modified Accredited) and will be treated as such. If I recall correctly the 2005 UM&R (Uniform Methods and Rules) requires a whole herd test and individual tests to move out of a Modified Accredited state or zone. These are the minimum rules - states can make them more stringent. From our Michigan experience I can tell you that moving cattle from a state with a TB problem can be a real complicated issue - expensive and time consuming - always call the state of destination - they can and do make rules (based on politics not science) that make life difficult. Good luck

We've sent cattle to Iowa from Minnesota.  You need 1) a whole herd (all animals 12 months or older) negative TB test withing the last 12 months; 2) Individual (2 months or older) negative TB test; 3) Iowa requires an import permit (your vet has to apply for it)

I will warn you to not wait until the last minute to do your whole herd TB test.  The initial test is designed to have 3% false positives, then you will need the state vet to come out and retest those false positve animals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. Not really the information that I was wanting to hear but, helpful none the less.

JCC said:

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. Not really the information that I was wanting to hear but, helpful none the less.

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JCC - if you move a lot of cattle out of state it might be worth your while to have a whole herd test or consider becoming TB accredited free (which involves annual whole herd tests and record keeping) - even if MN gets split state status and the bulk of the state becomes Modified Advanced Accredited many other states will not recognize the better status and will treat all MN cattle as if they are from the Modified Accredited Zone. Wisconsin and Illinois (among others) have done that to Michigan, other states (Iowa and Ohio) immediately accepted the new status. Things change rapidly so I would call the state of destination (or have your vet call) every time you plan to move cattle out of state. Good luck, we in Michigan feel your pain