home → articles → Herd Health | Email to a Friend

Proper Health Papers Needed To Ship Cattle Out-of-State

published: September 29th 2011
by: Leslie Reed
source: World Herald Bureau

With cattle flooding into Nebraska from drought-stricken states like Texas and Oklahoma, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture on Wednesday warned cattle producers to be sure to get proper testing and animal health certificates for the animals they buy.

The department has begun to quarantine a handful of herds that lack proper paperwork for cattle purchased from Texas and Oklahoma. Sales of animals from the quarantined herds will be limited until the department verifies their health status.

Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said state inspectors can't relax enforcement because of the drought crisis.

"Our responsibility is to protect Nebraska herds as much as possible," he said. "While our heart goes out to those producers suffering and the animals short on feed because of the drought, we're trying to raise awareness about our expectations.

"For the protection of all Nebraska beef producers, those animals must come here with the appropriate testing and paperwork completed."

Of particular concern is trichomoniasis, a cattle disease that causes infertility and occasional abortions in cows and heifers. Though rare in Nebraska, the sexually transmitted disease is more common in Texas and Oklahoma. An infected bull can spread the disease through a herd, causing serious economic losses to ranchers whose business relies upon their cows producing calves.

Ibach urged producers to contact the department to make sure their cattle comply with state requirements and resist the temptation to accept animals before the paperwork is completed.

Texas has fallen behind with its animal health certificates because of the numbers of cattle being sold as well as an ongoing switch to a new electronic filing system.