This information is current as of July 14, 2023.
Import Requirements for the World Beef Expo 2023
Cattle from Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has no paperwork, testing, or identification requirements for cattle moving within the state of Wisconsin.
Cattle from Michigan's federal TB-Free Zone and Texas
As long as you are not involved in any TB-positive or exposed herd investigations, here’s what you need to bring in cattle from these states:
You must have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI also known as a health certificate).
Each animal (including steers) must be officially identified with one of the following: USDA metal ear tag number that is part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code, also known as “brite” tag—includes the orange brucellosis vaccination tag), USDA 840 tag (RFID or visual), Canadian AIN RFID 124 tag, Manufacturer coded RFID tag (a 15 digit number with the first three digits in the 900 series such as 980, 982, or 985) if applied prior to March 11, 2015, or American ID tag (an 8-12 digit number prefaced with "USA") if applied prior to March 11, 2015. Tattoos and registration numbers are not accepted. There is no age exemption for the ID requirement.
Tuberculosis: Each animal needs a negative tuberculosis test within 60 days prior to the date of import to Wisconsin, regardless of age. For individually-tested animals, a whole herd TB test is not required. Alternatively, if the animals originate from an accredited TB-free herd, individual TB tests are not required, but the accreditation number and the date of the last whole-herd TB test must be on the CVI. Accredited TB-free herds must be recognized by the state of origin as currently accredited and must have had a whole herd test within the last two years.
A brucellosis test, vaccination or statement is not required at this time.
No other tests or statements are required at this time.
An import permit is not required.
No permit or statements are required if there is a current vesicular stomatitis outbreak in the state of origin. Cattle from quarantined premises are not eligible to enter the state of Wisconsin.
Cattle from Michigan's federal Modified Accredited (MA) Zone
These rules apply to cattle from the following Michigan counties: Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda.
The import regulations for Michigan's MA zone are the same for the World Beef Expo as they are for other cattle imports, with the exception of the show-only statement (see item 1 below):
You must have a current certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI also known as a health certificate). The CVI must include a version of the following statement: “This animal is/these animals are coming to the World Beef Expo only and will return to the state of origin after the expo.”
Each animal (including steers) must be officially identified with one of the following: USDA metal ear tag number that is part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code, also known as “brite” tag—includes the orange brucellosis vaccination tag), USDA 840 tag (RFID or visual), Canadian AIN RFID 124 tag, Manufacturer coded RFID tag (a 15 digit number with the first three digits in the 900 series such as 980, 982, or 985) if applied prior to March 11, 2015, or American ID tag (an 8-12 digit number prefaced with "USA") if applied prior to March 11, 2015. Tattoos and registration numbers are not accepted. There is no age exemption for the ID requirement.
Tuberculosis: Each animal must have a negative individual TB test within 60 days before the date of import and 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. The injection dates of both tests must be written clearly on both the import permit application form and the CVI.
An import permit is required. This is usually done by the veterinarian for the exhibitor. The import permit application form is available on this website, or you can request to receive one by email or fax by emailing DATCPanimalimports@wisconsin.gov or by calling (608) 224-4874 during regular business hours. Fill it out completely – all the boxes marked with an asterisk are required. You will need to write in the Wisconsin State Fair Park’s livestock premises code, which is 0033G3P. (Thanks to the Wisconsin State Fair Park staff for allowing us to post the code number here for your use.) Import permit applications without the livestock premises code will not be processed. Note: The “applicant” who signs the form can be the owner, or it can be the veterinarian or someone from the vet clinic staff – it doesn’t have to be the owner. When the form is completed, fax or email it, along with the signed and dated CVI, to (608) 224-4871 or DATCPanimalimports@wisconsin.gov. When the import permit is approved, a permit number will be issued by a Wisconsin state veterinarian and returned. The permit number must be written on the CVI. Import permits are processed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
If you have trouble with the import process, call the Wisconsin Division of Animal Health import coordinator at (608) 224-4874 Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A brucellosis test, vaccination or statement is not required at this time.
No other tests or statements are required at this time.
No permit or statements are required if there is a current vesicular stomatitis outbreak in the state of origin. Cattle from quarantined premises are not eligible to enter the state of Wisconsin.
If you intend to sell animals at the Expo, you may do so only if the animals return to their state of origin after the show (as stated on your CVI). The animals may then travel to their new owner with a new CVI. Make sure the animals meet the import requirements of the state of destination.
Cattle from All Other States
For animals from the states that aren't listed above and that are coming to World Beef Expo, the import requirements are the same as for other cattle imports:
You must have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI also known as a health certificate).
Each animal (including steers) must be officially identified with one of the following: USDA metal ear tag number that is part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code, also known as “brite” tag—includes the orange brucellosis vaccination tag), USDA 840 tag (RFID or visual), Canadian AIN RFID 124 tag, Manufacturer coded RFID tag (a 15 digit number with the first three digits in the 900 series such as 980, 982, or 985 tag) if applied prior to March 11, 2015, or American ID tag (an 8-12 digit number prefaced with "USA") if applied prior to March 11, 2015. Tattoos and registration numbers are not accepted. There is no age exemption for the ID requirement.
A tuberculosis test is not currently required.
A brucellosis test, vaccination, or statement is not required.
No other tests or statements are required at this time.
An import permit is not required.
No permit or statements are required if there is a current vesicular stomatitis outbreak in the state of origin. Cattle from quarantined premises are not eligible to enter the state of Wisconsin.
Cattle from Outside the United States
To bring in cattle from outside the United States, you will need to meet the import requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture. You can learn more at the website for the
National Center for Import and Export (NCIE) or by calling the NCIE at (301) 851-3300, option 2.