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State of Minnesota
Bovine TB Response
Minnesota has Split State Status for Bovine TB.
Bovine TB Newsletter
January 9, 2009
TB Assessment
In 2008, a bill was signed that provides an industry- supported temporary $1 per-head assessment on all Minnesota-raised cattle sales in the state between January 1 and December 31, 2009. The funds collected through this assessment will be used to support bovine TB control activities. Producers in the Modified Accredited (MA) Zone are exempt from the assessment. For details on the 2009 $1 per-head assessment or for a printable submission form, please visit www.mntbfree.com or call 1-877-MN TB FREE.

Buyout and Fencing Update
By January 31, 2009 all cattle included in the voluntary herd buyout program must be removed from the Management Zone. There are approximately 1,500 animals remaining in the zone that have yet to be removed. Producers participating in the buyout should call the TB Hotline at least two weeks before the desired date of load-out to ensure staff availability. Out of 27 premises in the Management Zone requiring deer-exclusion fencing, 26 are completely installed and paid for. Approval and payment of the remaining fence is pending.

Late-Season Hunt
A special late-season deer hunt began on December 27, 2008 and will last through January 11, 2009 as part of the state’s ongoing bovine TB surveillance and eradication efforts.The hunt is taking place in Permit Area 101, an area defined by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and located in northwest Minnesota where bovine TB has been known to exist. Upon completion of the special hunt, the DNR will conduct an aerial survey of Permit Area 101 to determine deer density and distribution. The agency may then contract with ground and aerial sharpshooters to further reduce deer populations in the area, limiting the potential spread of bovine TB. For details on the special late-season hunt, please visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html or call 1-888-MINN DNR.

Extension Activities
The University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team will host its annual Cow/Calf Days in February. The theme this year is “Functionality of Cow Size”, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Bryan McMurry of Cargill Animal Nutrition. The meetings will take place in 10 cities across the state, and representatives from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Board of Animal Health will be available to discuss the ongoing TB eradication program and to answer questions from attendants. Other topics include Nutritional Effects on Cow Size and Post-Weaning Calf Management. Pre-registration is required. Please call the Beef Center at 218-327-4490 or visit the Upcoming Meetings page for details.