The Division of Animal Industries consists of the Bureaus of Dairy and Eggs, Animal Health and Livestock, Disease Surveillance and Diagnostics, and the Rangeland Management Program. The division has 47 full-time employees and an annual budget of approximately $6.2 million. Major functions are described in the following bureau and program summaries.

Bureau of Dairy and Eggs

The Bureau of Dairy and Eggs provides oversight on dairy and egg industries in Idaho. This oversight helps to ensure safe, wholesome milk, milk products, shell egg and poultry products for consumers. The programs encompass sanitary inspections of dairy farms, bulk milk haulers, processors, manufacturing and processing equipment, warehouses, stores and other businesses where milk and dairy products are manufactured, stored, sold or offered for sale. Other duties include inspection and grading of establishments where shell eggs are packaged, stored or offered for sale. This bureau is responsible for the protection of ground and surface water from dairy farm waste, which is accomplished through routine inspections and testing of dairy farm waste handling and containment facilities, land application sites, and review and approval of new or modified systems.

In addition to state enforcement requirements, this bureau works in conjunction with several federal agencies through cooperative agreements or memoranda of agreement to protect the environment and ensure safe food products. Laws and rules require dairy farms to develop Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs) on all licensed dairy farms. These plans aid in the appropriate applications of nutrients to cropland. A certification process has been implemented to assist in the development of these plans. The department conducts NMP inspections and reviews or obtains soil tests to verify compliance. The bureau is responsible for enforcement of the Agriculture Odor Management Act as it relates to Idaho dairy farms. Dairy farms that emit odors in excess of those odors normally associated with agriculture in Idaho will be required to develop an Odor Management Plan to reduce odors. The bureau works in conjunction with the University of Idaho, private industries, and the industry to find economically viable and effective means to minimize offensive odors on dairy farms. The bureau, through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), also conducts dairy farm inspections on the larger dairy farms for the control of ammonia emissions.

Bureau of Animal Health and Livestock

The Animal Health and Livestock Bureau is responsible for regulatory animal disease control and prevention programs through the inspection and investigation of livestock and livestock facilities, and the regulation of movement of animals in intrastate, interstate and international commerce. Bureau staff participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative Disease Control programs for cattle, horses, swine, sheep, domestic cervidae, ratites, llamas, poultry, and fish. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is one such program, intended to enable 48-hour traceability of diseased or exposed animals. The bureau shares one veterinarian with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game who works on transmissible diseases of wildlife as well as domestic animals. The bureau and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are working cooperatively to address Brucellosis in free-ranging elk.

Additional responsibilities include protecting ground and surface water from waste generated on beef cattle animal feeding operations, (accomplished through inspection of waste handling and containment facilities, and review and approval of new or modified facilities) and ensuring the proper disposal of dead animals.

Bureau staff answers numerous questions and inquiries from the public, veterinary practitioners, and livestock producers on matters pertaining to disease control, preventive medicine, interstate shipment, herd management, animal care, and waste management. They issue permits or licenses for animal agriculture functions and provide animal welfare education; investigate animal care complaints; and work cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and the court system in the resolution of animal care cases and animal movement violations.

Bureau of Disease Surveillance and Diagnostics

The Bureau of Disease Surveillance and Diagnostics is responsible for the prevention and control of emerging and emergency diseases affecting animals. Idaho veterinarians and veterinary technicians are trained in emergency disease recognition and response. The bureau coordinates with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to address diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans, and with the Bureau of Disaster Services on animal health emergency management. This bureau’s Animal Health Laboratory serves consumers and agriculture through prioritized testing of animal samples and dairy products for diseases or agents targeted as most important to animal health and human safety.

Rangeland Management Program

The Rangeland Management Program provides leadership and technical support to Idaho agriculture producers.

The primary duties of this program are to provide technical support and assistance to Idaho rangeland livestock producers. This support is delivered to both individual producers upon request and to local groups and associations through leadership and participation in collaborative teams such as local sage grouse working groups. Services include assistance for planning and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), including grazing systems, range improvements, and inventory and monitoring. Support is provided to livestock producers in reviewing and mediating agency actions, including those actions imposed under the Endangered Species Act, environmental analysis and agency planning and management decisions, which impact private and federal grazing allotments.

The Rangeland Management Program provides service and support to producer groups such as the Idaho Cattle Association and the Idaho Wool Growers Association. It works with and supports the programs of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission and professional associations such as the Society for Range Management.

Recent Achievements

• Increased animal care investigations.
• Improved manure/odor management.
• Rewrote numerous regulatory rules for clarity and brevity.
• Over 15,000 Idaho livestock premises registered in the National Animal Identification System.
• Collaborated with Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security on Agro-Terrorism tabletop exercise for 8 counties in Magic Valley.
• Collaborated with Idaho State University’s Institute of Emergency Management in production of “Agroterrorism Awareness” interactive training CD, which was distributed statewide.

Future Goals

• Expand Johne’s disease management program.
• Develop statewide animal care program in cooperation with counties.
• Continue to implement USDA’s National Animal Identification System through premises registration, animal identification, and outreach through U of I Extension Service.
• Participate in National Animal Health Lab Network surveillance for foreign animal diseases.
• Educate more local emergency managers and producers on agroterrorism potential and outcome to address the National Preparedness Goal for Department of Homeland Security.

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