ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 29, 2008

ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICIALS TO CONVENE IN BISMARCK

BISMARCK – Bovine tuberculosis and animal tracking technology will be the major issues for animal health officials from 12 states when the North Central U.S. Animal Health Association (NCUSAHA) meets Monday through Wednesday (June 2-4), in Bismarck.

"Many of us are looking forward to hearing more about Minnesota’s efforts to deal with bovine tuberculosis,” said Dr. Susan Keller, North Dakota state veterinarian and NCUSAHA president. “The presentations on animal identification and animal tracking systems will also be very well attended.”

Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, will welcome the group.

Keller said highlights of the three-day meeting include a presentation on animal tracking databases and animal information systems by John Picanso, chief information officer for the Veterinary Services division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and an address by James Leafstedt, Alcester, SD, president of the U.S. Animal Health Association.

Other presentations will deal with brucellosis, feral swine, livestock emergency preparedness and wildlife-livestock interaction.

NCUSAHA is comprised of state and federal veterinarians and industry representatives from North Dakota. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.