Canadian Cattle

[A.P.]

What are the requirements for importing bulls and heifers into the US from Canada? TIA

 

[justintime]

As you probably know, the requirements are based on which state they are going too. Some states do not require any health testing, but just need a Canadian health paper with the animal identification number ( CCIA tag Number). For example, I sent some cattle to Iowa and Tennessee last week. The cattle going to Iowa, did not need any health tests , just an export health paper and "CAN" tattooed into their left ear.Cattle going to Iowa ( as well as a few other states, also require a Permit number, which has to on the health papers prior to arriving at the US border. The cattle going to Tennessee needed a brucellosis and TB test, along with the CAN tattoo in their left ear along with the Canadian export health paper. I sent some cattle to North Dakota in the fall, and they needed a Brucellosis and TB test along with a "CAN " brand on the left hip along with the export health paper. I am leaving on Sunday with some more cattle that are headed to Texas. I just found out a few days ago that they were going and I just had to put the CAN tattoo in their ear and get a Export health paper. I  had a buyer from Texas a couple years ago, who happened to be dragging his stock trailer. He purchased a heifer and we literally had her on her way to the US in 3 hours. Other states take quite a bit more work. I have a list of the USDA offices in each state and before I do anything, I contact them to find out what is required. What I find frustrating is calling a state vetrinarian's office and asking for their requirements for Canadian cattle being imported into their state, and finding out that they are not sure. I have had this happen several times, and in these cases, I always phone back a second time just to make sure they are right.

All in all, it is not super hard.