This information is current as of June 26, 2025.
► What are the influenza A requirements for bringing animals to the World Dairy Expo in 2025?
HPAI/H5N1 continues to be detected in dairy farms in the United States. As a result, federal and state orders requiring testing remain in effect. The required test for HPAI/H5N1 is an influenza A PCR, and testing details will refer to influenza A throughout this website.
A federal order effective April 29, 2024, and Wisconsin Summary Special Order 24-O-003 effective June 19, 2024, require lactating dairy cattle moving interstate and lactating dairy cattle moving to Wisconsin fairs, shows, or other organized events for exhibitions to have a negative influenza A test with a collection date no more than seven (7) days prior to movement.
Lactating dairy cattle from herds that have tested positive for influenza A are not eligible for interstate movement for 30 days following any positive influenza A test from the herd.
Only essential movements of dairy cattle are recommended. Premovement testing of nonlactating animals is not required at this time.
For further information on H5N1 influenza in cattle, including guidance and FAQs on the federal and state orders and biosecurity, visit the DATCP web page on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle.
► What are the influenza A requirements for animals leaving World Dairy Expo in 2025?
Wisconsindoes not have any requirements for cattle leaving Expo. Cattle can return to a location in Wisconsin without further testing.
A federal order effective April 29, 2024, requires lactating dairy cattle moving interstate to have a negative influenza A test with a collection date no more than seven (7) days prior to movement. Guidance for this order allows lactating dairy cattle to return to the farm of origin without further testing after attending a show that is no longer than 10 days.
However, the federal order requires lactating dairy cattle moving interstate to a new destination to have a negative influenza A test with a collection date no more than seven (7) days prior to that interstate movement. Some states may also have requirements for influenza A testing to return to the farm of origin after Expo. Please contact the state of destination to learn more.
Testing to meet movement requirements will not be allowed on Expo grounds. Contact Expo to learn about options for late arrivals and early departures to accommodate cattle returning to states requiring additional testing.
► Are there requirements for bringing animals from within Wisconsin to the World Dairy Expo?
Yes. Effective June 19, 2024, lactating dairy cattle moving to Wisconsin fairs, shows, or other organized events for exhibitions, including World Dairy Expo, are required by Wisconsin Summary Special Order 24-O-003 to test negative for influenza A virus with a sample collection date no more than seven (7) days prior to movement to the event. DATCP has no other test or paperwork requirements for Wisconsin-origin cattle traveling within Wisconsin.
However, you will need to meet the entry requirements for the World Dairy Expo, which include arriving with a printed certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI, also known as a health certificate) that documents departure/shipping date from the farm; an inspection date within 30 days of arrival at Expo; official animal identification; and, for lactating dairy cattle, the influenza A test collection date, lab, accession number, and result. Expo also will require a printed copy of each lactating animal's negative i influenza A test results.
For Wisconsin-origin cattle that have traveled to Michigan's federal Modified Accredited zone (Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, and Oscoda counties) within 90 days prior to the start of the Expo, please call (608) 224-4874 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to learn more.
► Are the World Dairy Expo's testing and ID requirements the same as Wisconsin's import requirements?
The World Dairy Expo may have additional requirements beyond what Wisconsin requires. For more information on the World Dairy Expo's specific requirements, please consult the premium book.
► May I bring in cattle from outside the United States?
Yes. You must meet the import requirements established by the USDA for your animals to attend the World Dairy Expo. You can learn more about importing cattle from other countries by visiting USDA's live animal import website. Choose the country of origin and the type of cattle.
In addition, effective June 19, 2024, lactating dairy cattle moving to Wisconsin fairs, shows, or other organized events for exhibitions, including World Dairy Expo, are required by Wisconsin Summary Special Order 24-O-003 to test negative for influenza A virus with a sample collection date no more than seven (7) days prior to movement to the event. This includes cattle from outside the United States.
Cattle may have additional requirements to return to their country of origin, including requirements for influenza A testing for lactating dairy cattle. You can find more information at USDA's live animal export website. Choose the country of destination, species, and type of cattle.
You can also reach USDA Live Animal Import and Export by calling (301) 851-3300 and selecting option 2.
► Have the official identification requirements changed?
The official ID requirements have changed. USDA visual only 840 tags are only acceptable as official ID if they were applied prior to November 5, 2024.
Acceptable forms of ID for 2025 are:
- USDA 840 RFID tag(The official numbers on these tags contain 15 digits with the first three being 840)
- Canadian 124 RFID tags (The official numbers on these tags contain 15 digits with the first three being 124)
- If applied prior to November 5, 2024, USDA 840 visual only tags
- The World Dairy Expo has information on what forms of identification will be accepted.
► Do all ID tags have to be RFID?
No. World Dairy Expo will accept visual forms of USDA 840 tags as noted above.
► Are there special import rules for cattle from Michigan?
Yes. There are two sets of regulations for importing cattle from Michigan. One set is for the federal Modified Accredited (MA) zone consisting of the following counties: Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda. The other set of rules applies to the rest of the state, which is the federal TB-free zone.
► May I sell cattle from Michigan at the World Dairy Expo?
For cattle from the counties in the federal Modified Accredited (MA) zone (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda), the previous restrictions are still in place. Cattle from the MA zone may be sold at the World Dairy Expo ONLY if the animals return to their state of origin after the Expo and then travel to the new owner on a new Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI or health certificate). Make sure the animals meet the import requirements of the state of destination.
Cattle from the counties in the federal TB-free zone may be sold at the World Dairy Expo as long as they meet Wisconsin import requirements and the Expo's requirements for sale as described in the premium book.
► Do I need to get an import permit for my cattle?
You will need a permit in certain circumstances as outlined below:
- Yes, if you are bringing cattle from Michigan's Modified Accredited zone (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda counties).
- No, if you are bringing cattle from a region with an active quarantine for vesicular stomatitis.*
- No, if you are from Michigan's federal TB-free zone or Texas and your animals meet the import requirements for your state and are NOT part of a TB-positive or exposed herd investigation. If the animals are part of a TB-positive or exposed herd investigation, they are not eligible to enter Wisconsin.
- No, if you are from areas/states other than that listed in point 1 above, or you are from Canada, you do not need an import permit issued by Wisconsin.
*In previous years, an import permit was required for cattle from regions with active quarantines for vesicular stomatitis (VS). Effective May 2014, import permits are no longer required for VS zones.
► I'm bringing in cattle from Michigan's MA zone, so I need an import permit. How do I get one?
- This is usually done by the veterinarian for the exhibitor.
- Access the online import permit application form and
follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can print the import permit application form and follow
the directions provided.
- Fill it out completely; all boxes with an asterisk are required.
- You need to include the
livestock premises code for the Alliant Energy Center, which is 004A6S7.
(Thanks again to the Alliant Energy Center staff for letting us post the number
here.) Import permits without the livestock premises code will not be
processed.
- The "applicant" who
signs the form can be the owner, or it can be the veterinarian or someone from
the veterinary clinic staff - it doesn't have to be the owner of the animal(s).
- When the form is completed, submit
it along with the signed and dated CVI (health certificate). If using the online form, CVIs can be
attached during the submission process.
If using a printed paper form, the form and CVI can be emailed or faxed to DATCPanimalimports@wisconsin.gov or (608)
224-4871.
- When everything is in order, a
Wisconsin state veterinarian will issue a permit number, and the permit number
will be emailed or faxed back (or phoned, if requested). The permit
number must be written on the CVI.
If you have trouble with the
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. Import
permits are processed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
► How long are import permits good?
As long as the test results
and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, also known as a health
certificate) are current, an import permit is good for 30 days from the date it
is issued.
► How long does it take to get an import permit?
Once all the required information has been received, an import permit is usually issued the same day. As the deadline gets closer, however, the turnaround time gets longer, so plan ahead.
► When is the best time to apply for an import permit?
While import permits for the World Dairy Expo can be processed at any time starting 30 days before your arrival date in Wisconsin, an excellent time to get in your application is the two-week period between 21 and seven days before the start of the World Dairy Expo. Waiting until the last few days is not recommended. We strongly discourage applicants from sending in a permit request the same day the exhibitor wants to leave. The application process takes time, and there may be people in line ahead of you.
► How much does an import permit cost?
DATCP does not charge a fee for cattle import permits.
► Can you answer questions about World Dairy Expo fees, facilities, or entry information?
No. Please visit the World Dairy Expo website or call (608) 224-6455 for answers about the Expo itself.
Resources
World Dairy Expo Premium Book
World Dairy Expo