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Payment for CWD Testing of Farmed Cervids
Starting January 1, 2020, the Board of Animal Health will only pay for testing of farmed cervids by sample collectors that are authorized by the Board or are working toward authorization. The Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will have a list of authorized CWD sample collectors from the Board. If you are not on the list of authorized collectors, the lab will require you to pay for the samples before they are processed.
The Board believes improved CWD surveillance is critical for the farmed cervid program, and will continue to support only those sample collectors that have invested the additional effort and time to become authorized and agree to follow the requirements for authorization. In 2019, the Board implemented the CWD Sample Collector authorization program to improve CWD surveillance in Minnesota farmed cervids and respond to a recommendation from a farmed cervid program audit by the legislature to ‘develop an approval program for producers that wish to collect their own CWD test samples.’
U.S. poultry producers can export to China again
Last week, the USDA announced China's decision to remove a longstanding ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products. Estimates for poultry exports to the country reach as high as $1 billion annually for American producers.
Secretary Sonny Perdue said, “After being shut out of the market for years, U.S. poultry producers and exporters welcome the reopening of China’s market to their products. America’s producers are the most productive in the world and it is critical they be able to sell their bounty to consumers in other parts of the globe. We will continue our work to expand market access in important markets like China as well as other countries, to support our producers and U.S. jobs.”
The poultry ban began in January 2015 during the U.S. avian influenza outbreak. The last year U.S. poultry producers exported to China was 2013 when they moved more than $500 million.
Virulent Newcastle Disease update from California
On November 15, State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones confirmed two new detections of virulent Newcastle disease in western San Bernardino County. These are the first detections of vND in Southern California since September 4. These cases were identified when a bird owner at one of the properties contacted a veterinarian.
View the latest disease response on the California Department of Food and Agriculture website.
CWD sample collector training
If you still need classroom training to become authorized by the Board, another classroom training is set for December 14 at 9 a.m. at the Hutchinson Event Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Please RSVP to the Farmed Cervid group at 651-201-6804 so we can get a head count. The Board is also considering scheduling another classroom training in early 2020.
Sign up for export alerts from USDA
USDA APHIS launched a new automatic notification system to alert interested stakeholders when country-specific requirements for the export of live animals and animal products change. These notifications will alert subscribers that an update has been made to the export requirements for either live animals or animal products. These are not U.S. requirements, but rather the requirements of the receiving country. Countries may change their requirements at any time and without advance notice.
All you need is a valid email address to sign up for the APHIS Stakeholder Registry:
- Once subscribed, scroll through the APHIS topics and go to the Veterinary Services section.
- Specify if you would like to receive IREGS Live Animal Updates, IREGS Animal Product Updates or both.
Farm transition workshops
Do you work with a farmer looking to sell their farm, or a new farmer looking to buy? The University of Minnesota Extension is holding 12 workshops on farm transition and estate planning this winter. The workshops are free, and pre-registration is requested.
Workshops will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the next few months:
- Elko New Market on November 21
- Cologne on December 4
- Pipestone on December 11
- Fergus Falls on December 19
- Roseau on January 15
- Moorhead on January 16
- Blue Earth on January 22
- Preston on January 29
- Floodwood on February 12
- Mora on February 13
- Olivia on March 4
- St. Cloud on March 11
The workshop covers farm goal setting, business structures, business succession, estate planning and retirement, family communication, and additional farm transition educational resources. Farmers at any stage, from beginning to retirement, can benefit from the workshop materials.
This workshop is a partnership of UMN Extension and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Register here or contact Megan Roberts for details.
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