Cattle & Bison - Texas

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​Movement Alert: New World Screwworm (NWS) has been identified in the southern U.S. It has not been identified in Wisconsin. In response to cases of NWS​ in other states, Wisconsin has additional requirements for warm-blooded animals moving from states with active NWS infested zones. Visit the NWS website​​ for additional information on movement requirements and resources.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) ​Detections in Cattle 

UPDATE: Effective April 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the Federal Order designed to reduce the risk of HPAI spreading among cattle and poultry. The updated Federal Order allows the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle without individual influenza A tests from states with 'Unaffected' state status under the National Milk Testing Strategy. Check your state status.​ 

For lactating dairy cattle from states with ‘Affected’ or ‘Provisionally Unaffected’ status, the Federal Order continues to require: 
  • ​Mandatory influenza testing for interstate movement of individual dairy cattle: 
    • ​A negative influenza A test for individual lactating dairy cattle is required prior to import. 
    • For imports of more than thirty (30) lactating dairy cattle moving in a group, contact the department. 
    • For imports of lactating dairy cattle from herds actively participating in the USDA HPAI Dairy Herd Status Program, contact the department. 
    • For beef cattle and other classes of dairy cattle, there are currently no influenza A testing requirements. Future requirements, if any, will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile. 

Access a summary of additional requirements.

Additionally, cattle entering the state must meet import requirements which in most instances will include a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), official identification, and may include other testing. See "Import Rules by State" below. 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). For further information on the current situation in cattle, utilize the D​ATCP webpag​e on HPAI in Cattle.​

​These are the requirements for domestic cattle (Bos taurus or Bos indicus (such as Zebu and Brahman)) and bison from Texas.

  • 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 thirty (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.

​Importing Cattle or Bison from Texas​ for any Reason Except Slaughter

Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required:

  • Include complete physical origin and destination address.
  • Indicate 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 of age, 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, for example)
    • 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 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- to 12-digit number prefaced with "USA")
    • If applied before 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 thirty (30) lactating dairy cattle will be moving in a group.
  • Test results must be current and complete and must be included on the CVI. Cattle 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
  • Access the DATCP HPAI Cattle website for additional information and biosecurity recommendations for this emerging and evolving disease.

Dairy, Beef, and Bison: A negative tuberculosis (TB) test is required.

  • 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.
  • For feeder cattle imported to an approved import feedlot, contact the import coordinator.
  • Veal calves are exempt from TB test requirements 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 thirty (30) days old
    • They will be confined to the first receiving premises until they are shipped to slaughter on a VS 1-27
    • An import permit is obtained  

No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required.

Except as noted, no import permit is required.

  • Import permit required for bovines that are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie, visit the Circuses, Rodeos, and Menageries page.
  • Import permit required for veal calves under thirty (30) days of age imported under the conditions noted above. Access Animal Movement Permits and choose the General Import Permit.

Fairs or exhibitions may have additional requirements. Contact the show organizers for more information.

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
  • 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 thirty (30) days are ineligible for import including direct to slaughter.

Non-lactating dairy cattle, including dry cows, heifers, 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 for Slaughter from Texas

For lactating dairy cattle, check stat​e 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 Texas

Import requirements are determined by the state of destination. Please contact Texas 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 Texas 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 and accredited in the state of Texas and must meet the import requirements above. 

Wisconsin is TB Accredited Free and Brucellosis Class Free.

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Additional Resources

State Animal Health Department Co​ntacts​

Contact

Import Coordinator

DATCPAnimalImports@wi.gov

(608) 224-4874​​​​​​​​​​