What is a “Premises?”

A Premises is any geographically unique location where livestock are held or kept.

Who has to register?

Although currently voluntary, any person who keeps one or more livestock at a location is encouraged to register their premises to assist in the disease control effort.

What is the cost to register?

There is no cost to register a premises in Idaho.

Premises for which species must be registered?

Currently our efforts are focused on locations holding cattle, bison and domestic cervidae.

What if the premises houses livestock of two or more owners?

If two or more people keep livestock at the same location, either person may register the location. Only one registration, tied solely to the physical location, is necessary.

What if I already have a Brucellosis or Scrapie premises ID number?

ISDA and USDA have issued premises identification numbers in the past, based on specific disease programs. The new, nationally assigned premises identification numbers (PIN), under the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), are independent of species disease. Eventually, the old numbers will be phased out and replaced with the new NAIS PINs. Until notified of the replacement by ISDA, registrants should keep using the old numbers for their respective disease programs.

With Premises Registration, do I have to participate in animal ID and animal tracking?

The foundation of animal identification and tracking is premises registration. It is the vital first phase in developing a trace back system. Registering Premises does not obligate the registrant to participate in the next steps of a national plan which involve animal identification and animal tracking. Both USDA and ISDA encourage voluntary compliance, however individual states may have other requirements. Premises number, animal number, date and event will be the only information utilized for animal disease control.

Is the Registration information confidential?

According to 25-207B, Idaho Code, premises information will be kept confidential and will remain exempt from the Idaho Public Records Act. State and Federal animal health officials may only access the information for disease control purposes. This can be found at Idaho Code Title 25, Chapter 2, Section 207B Identification of Livestock, Poultry or Fish -- Rules for Disease Control. 

If I own land but no cattle, do I need to get a Premises Identification Number?

A premises identification number (PIN) is only needed if the premises is participating in animal agriculture. If someone else is leasing or using any part of the property to raise or house livestock, a PIN should be obtained. This includes temporary grazing situations; for instance cattle grazing corn stalks and alfalfa aftermath.

If I own cattle but no land do I need to get a Premises Identification Number?

Producers should encourage the land owner to register the location, or seek permission to register the premises for the landowner.

If each location has a different Premises Identification Number, what happens if the owner moves cattle from one location to another, such as for breeding or seasonal grazing purposes?

Although locations can have separate Premises Identification Numbers (PIN), it may not be necessary for producers to report animal movements that occur for typical management purposes within the overall operation. If a producer maintains truly separate cattle operations however, it may be of merit to have the animals linked to separate, specific PINs—for example if a producer owns both a purebred and a commercial herd that are managed at different locations and are not commingled. Having a record of each premises will help animal health officials determine the magnitude of an investigation needed if a disease were identified in one of the animals at that premises. It is important to note movement reporting requirements have not yet been finalized. ISDA is working with producer groups to develop a workable set of provisions.

If I sell a property, what happens to the Premises Identification Number?

Once a premises is entered into the databank, the premises identification number (PIN) remains with that physical location, even following a change of ownership. A PIN will be retired only if its land use changes from animal agriculture to another use such as retail development. Modifications to a PIN can also be made if the original premises (property) is subdivided and each parcel is then managed separately.

What about permits on Federal or public lands—am I responsible for getting a premises number?

Currently, all Federal and public lands will be registered by their respective land management agencies and not the permitee. Although these lands will have separate Premises Identification Numbers from the ‘home places’ of permitees’ it may not be necessary for producers to report animal movements that occur for typical grazing rotation purposes within the overall operation. It may be beneficial to the producer to keep track of animal movements in and out of commingled allotments. Having a record of these movements will help animal health officials determine the magnitude of an investigation needed if a disease were identified in an animal inhabiting a common grazing allotment. It is important to note movement reporting requirements have not yet been finalized. ISDA is working with producer groups to develop a workable set of provisions.

How do I get a Premises Identification Number for land grazed in another state?

This scenario is considered an interstate movement of cattle and will require a separate premises identification number. Each state is responsible for managing premises within their state. You will need to contact the other state department of agriculture.

Resources

• University of California , Davis: Livestock Identification—Cattle Identification and the National Animal Identification System
• University of California , Davis: Livestock Identification—Obtaining a Premises Identification Number
• Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium—Premises Registration, Frequently asked questions

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