The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking public comment on a proposed order that would expand bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements in specific portions of Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties. A separate order, signed Aug. 1, 2026, established testing in different areas of the three same counties.
MDARD is proposing the new testing requirements due to the detection of bovine TB in additional cattle herds from Iosco County last month. These supplementary testing efforts are required as part of Michigan’s bovine TB management plan that allows for split-state status and determines the extent of disease movement outside the four-county Modified Accredited Zone. Since Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties are not within Michigan’s existing bovine TB testing area, Public Act 466 of 1988 authorizes MDARD to implement an order for testing animals for bovine TB and other reportable diseases.
The proposed order would require all cattle and bison herds located in additional designated township sections of Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties to be tested for bovine TB by July 31, 2027. This testing would include all cattle and bison 12 months of age or older as well as cattle and bison of any age that were not born on the farm.
Source : michigan.gov