Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Cattle
- Mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle
- These steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle. USDA requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.
- Mandatory reporting of positive tests
- Laboratories must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS
- Laboratories must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS
Additionally, cattle entering the state must meet import requirements which in most instances will include a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI). Animals included on the CVI should not be known to be infected with or exposed to contagious diseases, or showing signs of contagious or infectious disease, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Understanding of this disease continues to grow and requirements may be updated as new information is received. For further information on the current situation in cattle, utilize the DATCP webpage on HPAI in Cattle.
This information is current as of April 23, 2024.
These are the requirements for domestic cattle and bison from the Michigan federal tuberculosis (TB)-free zone.
- For import requirements for exotic ruminant species (e.g., yaks, water buffalo), please visit the exotic species page.
- No M-branded bovine/cattle from other states may be imported to Wisconsin except directly to a slaughter facility. For import of M-branded cattle imported directly from Mexico, please call the import coordinator.
- 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.
Effective August 1, 2012, Wisconsin recognizes two tuberculosis zones in the state of Michigan. The first is the federal TB Modified Accredited zone and the other is composed of the rest of the state, which is federally classified as TB Free.
On September 10, 2014, the USDA implemented an interim rule which removed some counties from the Modified Accredited Advanced Zone and advanced the status to TB Free. As of that date, the only counties now 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.
Import rules for cattle from the Michigan MA zone
Importing breeding cattle or exhibition animals from Michigan's Federal TB-Free Zone
Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical origin and destination address required.
All animals of any age, including calves at side, must have official identification, and the official ID must be included on the CVI.
All cattle and bison of any age or sex including steers moving for rodeos, recreational events, shows, or exhibitions, must have official identification (ID), and the official ID must be included on the CVI.
The following are official ID:
USDA ear tag number that are part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code(, both the silver “brite” tag and the orange brucellosis tag
USDA Animal Identification Number tag (includes the visual number and/or RFID) - 15-digit number starting with 840
American ID tag - 8-12-digit number prefaced with "USA" (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015, and if the entire number, including the USA, is written on the CVI)
Manufacturer-coded RFID tag - 15-digit number with the first three digits in a 900 series, such as 980, 982 or 985 (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)
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.
Dairy, beef, and American bison: TB test requirements: As long as the animals are not involved in any TB-positive or exposed herd investigations, all dairy and beef animals of any age must have one of the following:
Negative individual TB test within 60 days before the date of import, OR
If the animals originate from a currently accredited TB-free herd, individual TB tests are not required but the accreditation number and date of the last whole-herd TB test must be on the CVI
- 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 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
No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required
No import permit required (except for bovines that are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie - visit the Circuses, Rodeos, and Menageries)
Fairs or exhibitions may have additional requirements--contact the show organizers for more information
Importing feeder cattle from Michigan's Federal TB-Free Zone
Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical origin and destination address required
All feeder cattle of any age, including steers and spayed heifers, must have official identification (see section above), and the official ID must be included on the CVI
TB test requirements: As long as the animals are not involved in any TB-positive or exposed herd investigations, all bovines of any age must have one of the following:
Negative individual TB test within 60 days before the date of import, OR
If the animals originate from a currently accredited TB-free herd, individual TB tests are not required but the accreditation number and date of the last whole-herd TB test must be on the CVI
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 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
No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required
No import permit required
Importing veal calves from Michigan's Federal TB-Free Zone
- Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical origin and destination address required
- Veal calves must have official ID regardless of age or sex, and the official ID must be included on the CVI
- Individual negative TB tests required (see below for exemptions)
- Exempt from TB test requirement if the animals are identified as veal calves and all of the following are met and the statements below are written on the CVI:
- Animals are being imported solely for feeding prior to slaughter
- They are less than 30 days old and identified as veal on the CVI
- They will be confined to the first receiving premises until they are shipped to slaughter on a VS 1-27
- No import permit required
- No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required
Importing slaughter cattle from Michigan's Federal TB-Free Zone
Cattle going directly to slaughter are not required to have official individual ID or a CVI but must have paperwork, such as an owner shipper statement, bill of lading or bill of sale, that includes all of the following:
- 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 shipper
However, animals that are designated as slaughter animals but are not being sent directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal facility and then directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above.
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 being imported from Wisconsin.
Cattle that are traveling to 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.
If the cattle are scheduled to return after the date the CVI expires, they will need a new CVI issued by a local veterinarian licensed by the state of Michigan and must meet the import requirements above.
Wisconsin is TB Accredited Free and Brucellosis Class Free.