The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published it's interim rule allowing Texas feeder cattle to continue to move out of state without additional restrictions, at least until September 30, 2003. Texas ranchers, feedlot operators and private practitioners have waited since June 6, 2002, to learn if, in 2003, they would have to apply USDA ear tags to their 1.5 million steers, feeder bull calves, and feeder heifers destined for out-of-state grazing or feedlots each year. The restrictions also would have required Texas feeder bull calves and feeder heifers to be tested for cattle tuberculosis (TB) prior to movement.

"In a meeting November 27, USDA representatives provided verbal notification regarding the continued free movement of Texas feeder cattle, despite our loss of cattle tuberculosis 'free' status on June 6, 2002.

Also, the USDA staff is considering regulation changes that would keep Texas feeder animals moving freely after September," said Dr. James Lenarduzzi, acting executive director for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock health regulatory agency. "In the meantime, the USDA's interim rule makes the temporary delay official, so the Texas cattle industry can continue business as usual."

Dr. Lenarduzzi explained that the now-delayed movement restrictions on feeder cattle stemmed from the USDA's downgrade of Texas' cattle tuberculosis (TB) eradication status from accredited-free, to modified accredited advanced, after two TB-infected cattle herds were detected in Texas in 2001. Dr. Lenarduzzi said the infected herds were depopulated, and more than 9,300 cattle in 115 other herds have been tested to ensure the disease had not spread, he said.

"As a modified accredited advanced state, Texas breeding cattle must be identified with an official USDA ear tag and have a negative skin test for cattle TB before being moved out of state," Dr. Lenarduzzi reminded ranchers. "This includes young, weaned calves destined for breeding purposes. About 150,000 breeding animals are moved from the state each year, and because these animals have a long life within a herd, it's essential to ensure that they are disease-free prior to movement."

Dr. Lenarduzzi pointed out that strict requirements for identifying, testing and permitting cattle movement will continue in a designated high-risk area that encompasses about 100 herds in Texas' far west El Paso County and a portion of Hudspeth County. "The USDA approved a special 'movement restriction zone' (MRZ) in the two counties in November 2000 because of recurring, low levels of infection in nine dairies comprising the "El Paso Milk Shed" along the Rio Grande. We work with producers in the MRZ to ensure movement requirements are met, so commerce can continue.

Furthermore, the USDA is finalizing the purchase and depopulation of the dairies in the MRZ, where under Texas law, no new dairies will be permitted."

"The Texas cattle industry has been exceptional in working with us through the regulatory process to keep our cattle moving," said Dr. Lenarduzzi.

"Texas ranchers should be proud of their leaders in the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers' Association, Independent Cattlemens Association, Texas Cattle Feeders, Livestock Marketing Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association and Texas Farm Bureau." ©