A state official said Thursday that a "significant step toward eradicating bovine TB from northwest Minnesota" has been taken.
The Board of Animal Health has received 45 herd buyout contracts signed by cattle producers in the bovine tuberculosis management zone. Sixty-seven producers were eligible for the buyout.
The board estimates that 6,800 cattle will be removed from the TB disease management area as a result of the buyout program.
Herd owners participating in the buyout will be paid $500 per head, plus $75 per head per year until Minnesota regains TB-free status.
All animals that are part of the buyout must be removed from the zone or slaughtered by Jan. 31, 2009.
"The removal of cattle from this area is a significant step toward eradicating bovine TB from northwest Minnesota," said Joe Martin, assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and state bovine TB coordinator. "However, it is a bittersweet step, knowing that many of these producers may not reenter the cattle business."
The aim of buyout program, authorized by legislation signed into law this year, is to regain bovine TB-free status for the state's cattle industry. Federal authorities downgraded the rating this year, triggering costly testing requirements for ranchers and farmers.
PAUL WALSH
