From : Dr. Scott Leibsle, Idaho State Veterinarian
To : Idaho Large Animal Vets and Cattle Producers
It has come to the attention of ISDA that there may be some confusion over the Trich testing requirements for Pasture-to-Pasture permit/commuter grazing herds.
The Livestock Import Rules went through public negotiated rulemaking in 2021. Those rules are in effect now and they eliminated the Trich culture test as an option for livestock that travel across state lines. This included commuter grazing herds. The confusion seems to have come from the fact that the Trich Rules are open for negotiation THIS year and those rule changes (which also propose eliminating the Trich culture test) are not in effect as final. This confusion has created problems for multiple producers who are currently looking to turn out their cattle on their usual grazing allotments, who thought the Trich culture they had done last fall would be valid this spring, as it had been in previous years.
ISDA recognizes that this rule change was confusing and has inconvenienced some producers who may have to retest their bulls. As a result, ISDA is granting a one-time waiver for commuter grazing herds that will be put out to graze during the current Trich testing season. The waiver is as follows:
Until August 31, 2022, ISDA will accept Trich culture or PCR tests from any Idaho-origin commuter grazing herd. Beginning with the new Trich testing season on September 1, 2022, all commuter grazing herds that go to pasture must use the Trich PCR test to meet rule requirements.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
scott.leibsle@isda.idaho.gov
(208) 332-8540