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Bovine Trich Positive Response Program
Trich ear tag requirements
Rules
Trich ear tag requirements
Oregon’s Bovine Trichomoniasis Test Positive Response Program was enhanced beginning Sept. 2005 with a mandatory ear tag requirement for all bulls tested for trichomoniasis. The official Oregon Trich Ear Tag must be tamperproof, 3” wide x 2 1/4” tall with a self piercing male button printed with the current trich year. The female portion of the tag will have OR TRICH printed above a 4 digit number.
 
The trich year is defined as Sept 1- August 31, so application of the appropriate tag will change each year on September 1. For example, beginning September 1, 2006, the appropriate tag for bulls tested from that date through August 31, 2007 will be WHITE, indicate 2007 on the button, and have a 4 digit number on the face.
 
Tags (7500) meeting the identification requirement are in stock at MWI Veterinary Supply (1-800-824-3703, specify TRICH TAG OREGON) and available for immediate shipment. The tags come in bags of 25 at a cost of $24 per bag. Due to the very specific nature of these tags, they are non returnable to the supplier. Any other tag manufacturer’s product may be special ordered providing it fits the above specificity with respect to tag size, layout, and color. Special orders will need to specify their 4 digit number sequence. Please allow approximately 2 weeks for the special order process.
 
Tag colors will change on September 1 of each trich year according to the chart below. Previous year trich tags should be removed and replaced with the tag consistent with the current year’s test. Continuity of identification of the bull from year to year should be maintained either by a ranch tag, tattoo, or a silver alphanumeric ID tag. The tag color will cycle again every 6 years so unused tags may be saved for later use with an appropriate button.
 
Trich Year Test Period
Tag color
2006
Sept 1, 2005- August 31, 2006
blue
2007 Sept 1, 2006- August 31, 2007white
2008Sept 1, 2007- August 31, 2008yellow
2009Sept 1, 2008- August 31, 2009
blue
2010Sept 1, 2009- August 31, 2010
red
 
The testing/tagging of bulls for trichomoniasis should be reported on the OR STATE TESTING/TAGGING FORM which also requests age, breed, and description information. The rules allow for tagging of virgin bulls without a test providing the owner’s signature is on the form in the appropriate top right box. Please note the definition of virgin bull in the rule. Send or fax the test forms to:
 
Julie Weikel, DVM
32994 S. Harney Lake Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
541-493-2121
fax 541-493-2170
 
Questions about the Oregon Trichomoniasis Test Positive Response Program or requests for forms may be addressed to the above address/phone or to the state veterinarian’s office.
 

Rules
Bovine Trichomoniasis Test Positive Response Program
Trichomoniasis
603-011-0610
Definitions
 
(1) "Bovine trichomoniasis" is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the parasitic protozoan organism Tritrichomonas fetus.
 
(2) "The Department" is the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
 
(3) "Virgin bull" is a sexually intact male bovine less than 12 months of age that is certified by the owner/manager as having had no potential breeding contact with females.
 
(4) "Exposed herds" are cattle herds which have had, within twelve months, direct commingling or cross fence contact with test-positive herd during a time of potential breeding activity.
 
(5) "Permanent Identification" is a steel alphanumeric ear tag provided as official identification to accredited veterinarians, breed registry tattoos, or other means of identification established by the Department after review by the Trichomoniasis Advisory Panel.
 
(6) "Herd" is a group of cattle managed as a separate unit and not mixed with other cattle under the same ownership.
 
(7) "Test positive herd" is a defined herd of cattle in which a diagnosis of trichomoniasis has been made by a certified, licensed veterinarian.
 
(8) “Trich-year” is the period from September 1st to August 31st of any given year.
603-011-0615
 
Importation Requirements
In addition to an import permit and other disease control requirements, the following requirements must be met regarding bovine trichomoniasis.
 
(1) Bulls 12 months of age and over shall have all of the following: 
(a) Negative trichomoniasis test results within 60 days proceeding entry into Oregon performed by a certified veterinarian and
(b) A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that states:
(i) The bulls represented on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have been tested for and found to be negative for trichomoniasis pursuant to subsection (1)(a) above and have been confined and have not had sexual contact with females since their last negative test; and
(ii) Trichomoniasis has not been diagnosed in the herd of origin within the past 24 months.
 
(2) Any bull originating from a herd in which trichomoniasis has been diagnosed within the past 24 months shall have all of the following:
(a) Three (3) consecutive negative trichomoniasis tests conducted at least seven (7) days apart, but not more than 28 days apart, with the last test conducted within 60 days proceeding entry; and
(b) A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that states that the requirements, set forth in subsection (2)(a) above, have been met.
 
(3) All breeding bulls, 12 months of age and over, entering Oregon as part of a herd that has an authorized Out-of-State Grazing permit pursuant to section 603-011-0264, do not require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection but are required to have one negative trichomoniasis test within the 12 months proceeding entry.  However,  all bulls from a herd in which trichomoniasis has been diagnosed within the past 24 months must comply with (2)(a) above to qualify the herd for an Out-of-State Grazing permit.  All Out-of-State Grazing permits shall include an attached copy of the test record, that includes the permanent identification number of the bull(s) tested and the name and telephone number of the testing certified veterinarian.
 
(4) Bulls may be exempt from the trichomoniasis test requirements for entry into Oregon under any one or all of the following conditions:
(a) Used solely for exhibition purposes and remain under confinement at the location of the exhibition without having access to or allowed to commingle with sexually mature female cattle; or
 (b) Used solely for artificial insemination using semen extension and preservation  protocols that meet Certified Semen Services standards; or
(c) Consigned directly to slaughter without unloading before the arrival at the slaughter plant.
 
603-011-0620
 
Procedure
 
(1) The Department shall establish a Bovine Trichomoniasis Advisory Panel, whose membership shall be:
(a) Five voting members who are representatives of the cattle industry, recommended by the Animal Health Committee of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association; and
(b) Four non-voting advisory members who are; the OSU Extension Veterinarian, two practicing veterinarians appointed by the Advisory Panel, and one representative of the office of the ODA State Veterinarian.
 
(2) Duties of the Advisory Board shall be to:
(a) Advise the Department on management of issues related to the program; and
(b) Advise the Department on preferred policies and processes for resolution of disputes related to the program.
 
(3) Certified veterinarians, as described in 603-011-0630, must report a positive test result of Tritrichomonas fetus to the Department on a form supplied by the Department within 48 hours of determining the result.
 
(4) In response to a positive bovine trichomoniasis test the Department shall
(a) Conduct an investigation to identify herds that were potentially exposed to the infected herd.
(b) Require that any further bovine trichomoniasis testing be performed by a certified person, and accept the results of a retest by a certified person, if the original test was performed by a non-certified person; and
(c) Require permanent identification and testing of all bulls, excepting virgin bulls, in the test-positive herd and exposed herds.
 
(5) All bulls in herds required to be tested must be withdrawn from breeding contact and tested between 10 and 90 days after withdrawal.
 
(6) All bulls in test-positive herds must each have three consecutive negative test results with each test event separated by at least seven days and no more than 28 days, after initial diagnosis is made. Bulls that have a positive test result shall be considered infected and be handled as described in 603-011-0620(8).
(a) Test-positive herds with valid Out-of–State Grazing Permit will have all bulls restricted in place until three consecutive negative test results are complete with each test event separated by at least seven days but no more than 28 days.  Bulls that have a positive test result shall be considered infected and be handled as described in 603-011-0620(8); or
(b) Return all herdmate bulls from Out-of-State Grazing Permit affected herds to their state of origin to complete three negative consecutive trichomoniasis tests as described in (6) above.  The Department shall release the herdmate bulls from restriction when the State Veterinarian from the state of origin notifies the Department that the required testing is complete.  Test-positive bulls shall not return.
(c) Out-of-State Grazing Permit herds exposed to trichomoniasis will have all bulls restricted in place until one negative trichomoniasis test is complete.  Any cattle determined to be infected will be restricted and the herd status will be changed to an test-positive herd and subject to the requirements of subsection (6)(a) or (b); or
(d) Return all herdmate bulls to their state of origin to complete one negative  trichomoniasis test. The Department shall release the herdmate bulls from restriction when the State Veterinarian from the state of origin notifies the Department that the required testing is complete.  Any bull that has a positive test result shall cause the herd to be classified as test-positive and treated as in (6)(a) or (b).
 
(7) All bulls from a test-positive herd must be re-tested every trich-year until every remaining bull tests negative during the same test period.
(a) All bulls from a test-positive herd must be re-tested before February 1 of the following year.
(b) All bulls removed or culled from a test-positive herd are to be tested before removal or culling.
 
(8) Test-positive bulls shall be held under quarantine separate and apart from other cattle or shall comply with one of the following:
(a) Test-positive bulls may be retested and, if found negative on three consecutive tests that are separated by at least seven days, may be considered test-negative and released from quarantine; or
(b) Test-positive bulls moving into feeding channels shall be castrated before moving from the ranch; or
(c) Test-positive bulls moving out of the infected herd into commercial slaughter-marketing channels, including collection points, shall be identified before moving with an "S" brand applied to both sides of the tailhead and shall move only to slaughter under authority of a VS Form 1-27 Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals; or
(d)Test-positive bulls moving out of the infected herd directly to slaughter shall do so with:
(i) A VS Form 1-27 Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals; and
(ii) Prior notification of the State Veterinarian; and
(iii) Record of their permanent identification on the VS Form 1-27 under which authority they move.
 
(9) Failure to comply with the above provisions for response to a positive bovine trichomoniasis test shall result in quarantine of all cattle in the non-compliant herd under provisions of ORS 596.392(4).
 
(10) The Department may waive the mandatory testing and quarantine provisions of this rule if:
 
(a) The owner or manager demonstrates that a herd program for control of bovine trichomoniasis which the Department determines, after consultation with the Advisory Panel, to be adequate under the circumstances, is in place and operational at time of diagnosis; or
 
(b) The owners or managers of the test positive herd and of all exposed herds agree to not test, or agree to pursue a control program of their own design, and the Department determines that such action is adequate under the circumstances.



 

 
Page updated: September 16, 2008

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