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New EID requirements in effect
On November 5, the new federal requirements for electronic identification like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags went into effect. All official ID tags applied to cattle and bison must be visually and electronically readable. Any tags placed in an animal before November 5 are "grandfathered in" for the life of the animal and do not need to meet the requirements.
There are no free tags available to producers, veterinarians or markets via the Board of Animal Health at this time. Tags may be purchased from approved manufacturers, which can be found on our RFID Frequently Asked Questions document.
In Minnesota, the EID requirements apply to all interstate and intrastate movements. Not sure of the difference between those movement types? Have other questions? Register for a free RFID webinar for Minnesota cattle producers on November 26 at 1 p.m.
We'll see you around
Stop by and meet our staff at one of the following upcoming events on our tradeshow/exhbit schedule:
- Minnesota Farmers Union Convention
November 22 - 24, 2024
- Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting
January 30 - February 1, 2025
- Minnesota Milk Producers Association Annual Meeting
February 4, 2025
- Minnesota Pork Congress
February 11 - 12, 2025
- PEAK Poultry Show
April 8 - 10, 2025
Tularemia cases trend high in 2024 and continue being reported
Minnesota has tallied 23 cases of tularemia in animals this year, which is unfortunately a new record. Tularemia case counts usually drop off in November so Board and MDH staff are hopeful cases will slow soon. Remember, the disease is reportable in Minnesota and veterinarians must report results to the Board at 651-296-2942 or companion.animal@state.mn.us.
Here's a summary of some of the most recent tularemia cases reported:
- In early October a 9-month-old previously stray kitten from Apple Valley was found wandering outside and his new owners took him in. He appeared healthy until later in the month when his hind legs weakened, he became lethargic, and he stopped eating. He was brought into the veterinarian where he had a fever and other clinical signs. Imaging showed an enlarged kidney and irregular liver. The cat was treated with fluids and antibiotics.
- At the end of October, a 4-year-old miniature schnauzer from Richfield was brought into the veterinarian for dew claw pain, which was found to be unrelated to tularemia. During the examination, the veterinarian noticed the lymph nodes were twice their normal size. On questioning, the owners reported the dog had exposure to a dead rabbit about a week prior. Other than the lymph nodes, it was asymptomatic. The dog was treated with antibiotics.
- Recently, University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory necropsy staff found a dead wild rabbit near their office and collected swabs from the spleen, which turned out to be positive for tularemia..
- A 7-month-old kitten from Northeast Minneapolis became lethargic and had decreased appetite in late October and was brought into a veterinary hospital. There, she had a fever, labored breathing, swollen lymph nodes and other clinical signs. She was started on antibiotics and made a full recovery.
Curious about this disease? Read our frequently asked questions on tularemia.
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