Three years after detecting bovine tuberculosis (TB) in northwest Minnesota, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Minnesota’s Split State Status effective October 10, 2008. With the approval of Split State Status, a large part of the state will upgrade its classification to Modified Accredited Advanced (MAA), and a smaller section of northwestern Minnesota will remain at the Modified Accredited (MA) classification. This status will help the state target its resources where they are most needed, while also saving producers outside the affected area from the additional testing requirements that accompany MA status.

MA status will apply to a portion of four counties in extreme northwest Minnesota, includint Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, and Beltrami counties.

“Split State Status is welcome news for the majority of Minnesota’s cattle producers who have been dedicated partners in animal disease prevention,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann. “The state remains committed to helping the producers in northwest Minnesota. We will continue to work with our state and federal partners and the producers within the Modified Accredited Zone to eliminate this disease.” Herds in the MA Zone will still be subject to the more stringent shipping and testing restrictions. To view a map or review the testing and shipping requirements, please visit the state’s bovine TB website at www.mntbfree.com.

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota will accept cattle under the new status. North Dakota is considering acceptance, while Wisconsin state law prohibits acceptance.

As a condition of the approval, the State must complete a round of targeted testing in the MAA zone within the next 12 months. Producers selected to participate will be contacted soon. In addition to the testing, all farms in the MA Zone will undergo a wildlife evaluation and create a plan to prevent livestock from having contact with wildlife.

Cattle and bison producers located outside the state’s MA Zone will still have some TB testing requirements if moving animals to another state. A complete list of the federal requirements is available on the state’s TB website or by calling the bovine TB hotline at 1-877-MN TB FREE (668-2373). Many states have also implemented their own regulations for receiving cattle. For specifics on a state’s regulations, producers should contact their veterinarian or the receiving state’s animal health agency.

“As Minnesota producers prepare for fall feeder cattle movements this approval will mean fewer restrictions and expenses.” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner and Minnesota TB Coordinator Joe Martin. “It’s due to this partnership and the hard work of our state’s producers that this is all possible. If we continue to be vigilant and work together, we will regain Minnesota’s Accredited Free status.”