News
Michigan under new Bovine TB Zoning Order
A new memorandum of understanding between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will set new requirements beginning April 1 to control bovine tuberculosis in the northeastern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Ag director Gary McDowell tells Brownfield the updated agreement will require additional testing for farms in the region.
“We’re just continuing to do everything we can do to eliminate the TB and definitely keep it under control so we can maintain our split status in the state which is so important to our dairy and cattle industries.”
Counties are in the Modified Accredited Zone including Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Oscoda along with buffer counties will be required to implement additional surveillance testing. Presque Isle County will remain part of the Accredited Free Zone but producers will also have to meet additional requirements.
The Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources will be holding public meetings in the region the first week of March to help producers better understand the changes and ask questions. Public comments will also be accepted until March 31.
