Livestock owners encouraged to review regulations before moving animals this spring

Saint Paul, Minn - Spring and summer exhibitions, like county fairs, are right around the corner. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health reminds livestock owners to review animal health and movement regulations before hitting the road. Moving livestock can be a burdensome process, which can go much smoother when everyone prepares ahead of time. Regulations at exhibitions, for official identification and health documentation (for animals moving between states), are in place to protect the health of the animals and the livelihood of livestock businesses and enthusiasts.

Before you even begin getting ready to move your animal, make sure it’s healthy by scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian. If you’re moving your animal interstate, or out of Minnesota, you must have your veterinarian examine the animal and write you a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. This document helps animal health officials track animal movements and trace disease if those animals become ill.

Another important step to take before moving your livestock is making sure they’re officially identified. Acceptable forms of official identification varies by species. You can find a handy breakdown of the different accepted official IDs on our website, by clicking this link.

If you’re moving animals for a livestock sale, or exhibition, you should know the expectations of the event. The Board has a great website resource with species specific guidelines and requirements you’ll need to follow to exhibit animals in Minnesota. All livestock require official identification as mentioned above. Check out the exhibitions page for more details by clicking this link.

When it comes to actually moving the animals, make sure you are hauling them safely. Use the correct equipment and double check that everything is in working order. Plan for delays and prepare for the unexpected. Have food and water ready for the animals in the event you have a mechanical breakdown. Once you reach your destination you should conduct a quick check to make sure the animals appear healthy and uninjured.

Lastly, when returning home, or introducing new animals into your herd, make sure to follow proper biosecurity precautions. Keep the returning, or new, animals separate from your herd for up to one month and look for any clinical signs of diseases they could’ve potentially contracted while away from your farm. Click this link to view our general biosecurity flyer.

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