03/02/2023
CATTLE PRODUCERS - I received this press release from the Department of Livestock regarding an opportunity for you to participate in a "tabletop exercise" regarding the Secure Beef Supply program. The nearest opportunity is in Billings next Thursday 3/9/23. Their timing was NOT super convenient for calving, but I am planning to attend, so hopefully I can fill people in later. I have no further information beyond this press release at this time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 2, 2023
CONTACT:
Brad De Groot, DVM, Montana Department of Livestock, (406) 444-7294, [email protected]
Montana Department of Livestock Announces Secure Beef Supply Plan Training Schedule
Helena, Mont. - The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) has announced 10 meetings across Montana to introduce Montana’s cattle producers to the biosecurity principles of Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plans. SBS plans are a vital tool to help producers re-enter commerce following a severe disease outbreak such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
SBS Plans outline specific measures that ranches can employ to minimize the risk of either contracting or spreading infectious disease. In the past decade, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, and the human coronavirus have disrupted agricultural markets and affected grocery prices in the U.S. When highly infectious diseases like these strike new populations, we cannot eliminate all risk of infectious disease transmission. However, conscientiously executed SBS Plans can minimize such risk.
“Livestock owners and consumers depend on the uninterrupted movement of livestock,” said State Veterinarian Marty Zaluski, “This program will teach producers how they can document that their herd is low risk and will help them move animals quicker during a disease event.”
MDOL will host these meetings to familiarize ranchers and their veterinarians with the format and development of individualized SBS plans, and disease control measures to protect operations. The meetings will start mid-morning with a series of presentations that describe FMD as an example of a disease that will devastate trade if it enters the U.S., and what response to a large-scale disease outbreak will look like. After lunch, group discussion applying these principles using models to represent layouts of livestock operations will finish midafternoon. Dates and locations for the meetings are below:
Tuesday, February 28th 10:00-3:30 Lewistown Lewistown Livestock (tent.)
Wednesday, March 1st 10:00-3:30 Malta Great Northern
Thursday, March 2nd 10:00-3:30 Shelby Comfort Inn
Friday, March 3rd 10:00-3:30 Ronan Ninepipes Banquet Room
Tuesday, March 7th 10:00-3:30 Miles City Custer County Event Ctr.
Wednesday, March 8th 10:00-3:30 Sidney Richland Co. 4-H
Thursday, March 9th 10:00-3:30 Billings Yellowstone Co. 4-H
Tuesday, April 4th 10:00-3:30 Dillon Beaverhead Co. 4-H
Wednesday, April 5th 10:00-3:30 Three Forks Headwaters Livestock
Friday, April 7th 10:00-3:30 Great Falls Great Falls College G-4546
MDOL has funding to help offset the cost for up to 20 producers to develop individualized SBS plans for their operations.
Producers who attend these sessions are eligible to work with a veterinarian at no cost to complete on-farm biosecurity assessments.
Producers can work with an MDOL contract veterinarian or with their own veterinarian.
Veterinarians who have attended at least one tabletop exercise will be eligible for payment for completed an on-farm assessment for their client specific client operation.
Veterinarians specifically contracted by MDOL will also be available to help producers who may not have a private veterinarian available for SBS plans. Please contact Dr. Brad De Groot ([email protected]) with questions or sign up for an upcoming session at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D99TPH5.
The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit www.liv.mt.gov.
