Cattle & Bison - Michigan Modified Accredited Zone

These are the requirements for domestic cattle (Bos taurus or Bos indicus (such as Zebus and Brahman)) and bison from the Michigan Modified Accredited (MA) zone.

• For import requirements for other bovid species such as yaks, water buffalo, and antelope species, please visit the exotic species page and click Exotic Ruminants.
• Cattle from quarantined herds are ineligible for import into Wisconsin.
• Lactating dairy cattle from herds with a positive influenza A test result within the last 30 days are ineligible for import
• Lactating dairy cattle with clinical signs consistent with influenza are ineligible for import.
• No M-branded cattle or bison from other states may be imported to Wisconsin except directly to a slaughter facility.
• If you wish to import animals from several different states, or if the animals have been in the origin state for fewer than 120 days, please contact the import coordinator.

Wisconsin recognizes two tuberculosis zones in the state of Michigan. The first is the federal tuberculosis (TB) Modified Accredited (MA) zone, and the other is composed of the rest of the state, which is federally classified as TB Free.

The counties classified as MA are the following counties in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula: Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda. All other Michigan counties are classified as TB Free.

Because the import rules are quite different for the two zones, they are listed on separate pages. If you are importing cattle from the federal TB Free zone, see Import rules for cattle from Michigan's federal TB Free zone. Otherwise, continue on this page.

Importing Cattle or Bison from the Michigan Counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda for any Reason Except Slaughter

Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required:

• Include complete physical origin and destination address.
• Include on CVI if adult dairy breed females are lactating or dry.
• Include a statement that lactating dairy cattle are both free from and have not been exposed to a known contagious and infectious disease. 
• When official ID and testing is required, include that information on the CVI.

Individual Official ID requirements:

• Required for all cattle and bison of any age, sex, or purpose, including calves at side, beef heifers and bulls under 18 months, and steers.
• The following are official ID: 
• USDA 840 Animal Identification Number (AIN) RFID tag (15-digit RFID tag starting with 840)
• AIN RFID tags from other countries (15-digit RFID tag starting with 124 for Canadian origin cattle and bison)
• AIN RFID replacement tags for cattle and bison from other countries (15-digit RFID tag starting with 964 that is Lime Green and Blue and has IMP printed on it, indicate “import tag" on the CVI)
• If applied before November 5, 2024: USDA ear tag number that is part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (9-digit alphanumeric number that starts with state 2-digit code, both the metal silver “brite" tag and the metal orange brucellosis vaccination tag (e.g. 35ABC1234)
• If applied before November 5, 2024: USDA 840 AIN Visual tag (15-digit visual only tag starting with 840)
• If applied before March 11, 2015: American ID tag (8-12-digit number prefaced with "USA") 
• If applied prior to March 11, 2015: Manufacturer-coded RFID tag (15-digit number with the first three digits in a 900 series, such as 980, 982 or 985) 
• Please note: Wisconsin has no reciprocal agreements with other states regarding the use of tattoos and registration numbers as identification. As a result, breed association tattoos and breed registration numbers are not accepted as official identification. In addition, brands are not accepted as official ID.
• "Pending" official ID or partial ID numbers on paperwork are not acceptable.
• If an animal has more than one form of official identification, all the IDs must be listed on the CVI.
  

​For Lactating Dairy Cattle only: Influenza A testing of individual cows is not required for cattle from states with Unaffected state status through the National Milk Testing Strategy. Check state status. Only individual lactating dairy cattle from states with an Affected or Provisionally Affected state status require a negative influenza A test with a collection date within seven (7) days of import. When testing is required:

• Include test collection date, result, lab, and accession number on CVI.
• Contact the import coordinator if lactating dairy cattle will be originating from a herd with current participation in the USDA HPAI Dairy Herd Status Program or if more than 30 lactating dairy cattle will be moving in a group.
• Test results must be current and complete and must be included on the CVI. Catte may not be imported while influenza tests are pending.
• Beef cattle, bison, and non-lactating dairy cattle, including dry cows, heifers, bulls, and calves, are not required to be tested. 
• For cattle from all states, lactating dairy cattle from herds with a positive influenza A test result within the last 30 days are ineligible for import
• For cattle from all states, lactating dairy cattle with clinical signs consistent with influenza are ineligible for import
• See the DATCP webpage on HPAI in Cattle for additional information and biosecurity recommendations for this emerging and evolving disease

Dairy, Beef, and Bison: A negative tuberculosis (TB) test required as noted below:

• Negative individual TB test within 60 days before the date of import fpr all ages, AND
• The animals must originate from a herd that has had a negative whole-herd TB test for all animals one year and older within the last 12 months.
• Veal calves under 30 days of age are exempt from the whole herd test requirement. They must be identified as veal calves on the CVI and will be quarantined where they are offloaded until shipped to slaughter on a permit.
• Test results must be current and complete and must be included on the CVI. Cattle may not be imported while TB tests are pending.
• Animals from herds involved in any TB positive, traceback or exposed herd investigations may not enter Wisconsin except for movement directly to slaughter until the investigation of the herd is completed and negative

All animals other than those attending fairs or exhibitions and, under certain conditions feeder cattle and veal calves, will be quarantined where they are offloaded and will need additional TB tests post-arrival. Call (608) 224-4874 for specific information.

• No other tests or vaccinations required.
  
• Import permit required.
  
• Animals attending fairs or exhibitions must have the following statement on the CVI to avoid the quarantine requirement: "These animals are attending the show only and will return to herd of origin after the show."
  
• Fairs or exhibitions may have additional requirements – contact the show organizers for more information.
  

Cattle and bison from the MA zone in Michigan are not eligible to enter Wisconsin to be sold at a consignment sale or auction.

Importing Dairy Breed Slaughter Cattle from States with Affected or Provisionally Unaffected State Status

Check state status.

Lactating dairy slaughter cattle from states with Affected or Provisionally Unaffected state status imported to any location except directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above. 

Lactating dairy slaughter cattle imported DIRECTLY to a slaughter establishment are not required to be tested for influenza A or TB prior to movement to slaughter. However, they must meet the following requirements:
​Movement documentation:

• CVI with official identification listed OR
• Owner Hauler Statement with official ID or backtags listed, submitted to the state of origin AND state of destination; visit the Owner Hauler Statement webpage for instructions

Lactating dairy cattle with clinical signs consistent with influenza are ineligible for import for any purpose including slaughter

Lactating dairy cattle from herds with a positive influenza A test result within the last 30 days are ineligible for import including direct to slaughter

Nonlactating dairy cattle, including dry cows, heifers, bulls, or calves going directly to a slaughter establishment are not required to have official individual ID, influenza A testing, TB testing, or a CVI. However, they must have a backtag and an owner hauler statement, or other paperwork that contains the required information of an owner hauler statement such as a bill of lading or bill of sale.

Owner Hauler Statement Requirements:

• Location from which the animals originated
• Destination of the animals (not the address of the consignee)
• Total number of animals
• Species of animals
• Name and address of the owner at the time of the movement
• Name and address of the hauler

Importing Dairy Breed Cattle from States with Unaffected State Status, Bison, or Beef Breed Cattle from Michigan's MA Zone

For lactating dairy cattle, check state status.

Cattle and bison designated as slaughter animals but not sent directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above. 

Dairy cattle, including lactating dairy cattle, from states with Unaffected state status, beef cattle, and bison going directly to slaughter are not required to have official individual ID, a CVI, an influenza A test, or a TB test but must have an owner hauler statement, or other paperwork that contains the required information of an owner hauler statement such as a bill of lading or bill of sale.

Owner Hauler Statement Requirements:

• Location from which the animals originated
• Destination of the animals (not the address of the consignee)
• Total number of animals
• Species of animals
• Name and address of the owner at the time of the movement
• Name and address of the hauler

Exporting Cattle to Michigan's Federal TB-Free Zone

Import requirements are determined by the state of destination. Please contact Michigan to find out the import regulations for cattle and bison being imported from Wisconsin. Access the destination state's contact information.

Cattle and bison traveling to the Michigan TB-Free Zone and returning to Wisconsin while the CVI is still valid may return with the same paperwork with no additional tests or statements required except for lactating dairy cattle. For lactating dairy cattle returning from a state with Affected or Provisionally Unaffected state status, a negative influenza A test is required to return to Wisconsin within (7) seven days of interstate movement. Lactating dairy cattle attending an exhibition or show in a state with Affected or Provisionally Unaffected state status and returning to the home herd in Wisconsin from the exhibition or show need a negative influenza A test to return if the event they attend exceeds 10 days in length.

For lactating dairy cattle, check state ​status.

If the cattle and bison are scheduled to return after the date the CVI expires, they will need a new CVI issued by a local veterinarian licensed by and accredited in the state of Michigan and must meet the import requirements above. 

Wisconsin is TB Accredited Free and Brucellosis Class Free.