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New Video's 11/28/2011
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State working to keep livestock disease freeOKLAHOMA CITY (AP)--State Veterinarian Becky Brewer-Walker knows how much money, time and effort it would cost if Oklahoma were to experience an outbreak of tuberculosis among its livestock. She wants to make sure anyone operating a rodeo in the state understands that, too. State officials, as well as private entities, are keeping a tight rein on situations where animals come into Oklahoma from out of state. One of the areas that receives close attention is rodeos, including the professional rodeo event scheduled every year during the State Fair in September. But keeping Oklahoma's animals safe and healthy is a job that presents several challenges. "We have the problem of Mexican cattle, which are typically moved in odd ways," said Brewer-Walker. Mexican cattle may move all over the country to participate in rodeo events. Federal law allows the cattle to bear credentials from their inspection by Mexican veterinarians. But Oklahoma law requires the cattle to also be inspected by veterinarians from the U.S. A case of tuberculosis was recently identified among a group of roping steers in Texas, and the states of New Mexico and California are in danger of losing their TB status, said Brewer-Walker. A case of bovine tuberculosis was identified in a cattle herd in far northwestern Oklahoma just last year, Brewer-Walker said. "We can't afford another one," she said. "It cost Texas $6 million to eradicate and get to the point where they could even apply again for TB status." A similar effort in Oklahoma would likely cost $2 million, she estimated. The federal government leaves it up to the states to implement their own plans for ensuring their cattle do not contract tuberculosis, said Cindy Reagan of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture staff members work with both public and private entities to check the health status and documentation for animals coming into the state. At State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, officials have stringent rules in place to keep livestock at the fair healthy. No one can obtain access to the grounds without current certification. "All of the animals come in just one gate, Gate 7," said Scott Munz, fair spokesman. Livestock must bear a health certificate issued within the last 30 days, and horses have results of a certified Coggins test. The gate is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., when staff members from the state Department of Agriculture are on duty to inspect the paperwork. "You show up and say you left your paperwork at home or in your truck or your dog ate it, you can't enter the property," said Munz. Fairgrounds staff members are prepared to handle the heavy traffic flow coming in during certain days when there are several events scheduled involving livestock. "This isn't our first rodeo," said Munz. Brewer-Walker said she is working on a project to contact rodeo operators and let them know what the rules are in Oklahoma regarding documentation long before they show up at the gates of a show facility. But the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which will be operating the rodeo at the State Fair next month, already has stringent rules in place. Among the many rules is the requirement that a veterinarian must be onsite at all PRCA-sanctioned rodeos, and all animals are inspected and evaluated for illness, weight, eyesight and injury before the rodeo. No animals that are sore, lame, sick or injured are allowed to participate in the event. 9/1/08 Date: 8/28/08
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