June 11, 2021
Newsletter For June 11, 2021
This Issue:
  • Proposed Changes On Animal Health Regulations Receiving In-depth Evaluation
  • Trichomoniasis Proposed Regulatory Changes Seek To Require Annual Testing For Every “Test Eligible Bull” In Nevada…
  • Drought Conversations Taking Place Throughout The West
  • Feds Plan To Take Up Defining Waters of the U.S. … Again
  • Farm Bureau’s Reaction To The Announcement Of Another Round Of Federal Definition Writing On WOTUS…
  • We Would Like To Hear From You
Proposed Changes On Animal Health Regulations Receiving In-depth Evaluation
Last week we announced that the Nevada Department of Agriculture had started the regulatory process for changes to the section of Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) dealing with animal health.  The agency launched a Small Business Impact Survey as the first step in the administrative process. We encourage all livestock producers to participate in the Small Business Impact Survey and click on the “Next” box at the bottom of the link. 

The proposed change to this section of state regulations covers a wide range of animal health provisions including adjustments to brucellosis testing, health certificates and fairly major updates for trichomoniasis.

The deadline for responding to the survey is June 17th and after that initial “input” the next phase of the process will come in the form of at least one workshop for discussion, questions and more specific input.  Following the completion of the “workshop” phase, a hearing would be scheduled and conducted.
Trichomoniasis Proposed Regulatory Changes Seek To Require Annual Testing For Every “Test Eligible Bull” In Nevada…
Nevada’s regulations -- NAC 571.633 “Test eligible bull” defined. (NRS 571.120, 571.150) “Test eligible bull” means an intact male bovine that is 12 months of age or older.”

As proposed by the regulation changes for Chapter 571, every test eligible bull would be required to go through an annual test for Trichomoniasis between the dates of September 1 of one year and August 31st of the next.  The test requirement would also make certain that every bull would need to test negative prior to being allowed access to female cattle or by April 15th of each testing season.

Bulls to be turned out on public grazing allotments would need to test negative for Trichomoniasis by April 15th or 45 days prior to turn-out -- whichever occurs first.

Bulls coming into Nevada from another state would need to test negative by a test conducted 60 days prior to entering the state.

Commuter bulls are also covered by the regulations and would need an annual test between October 1st of one year and May 31st of the next, with a clean test result. 

Not a lot is proposed for changes to the section of regulations which are in place now for what steps unfold with a positive test and the consequences of a hold order and follow-up epidemiological investigation (NAC 571.654).  To get released from a hold order, NAC 571.656 covers the requirements with a new provision that spells out that a bull with a positive test needing to enter a slaughter channel within 30 days of the positive test results.

Section NAC 571.667 covers a new section for the enforcement proposed to reach compliance.  Any owner of livestock which is the subject of an epidemiologic investigation, hold order or disease quarantine by the Department shall be denied brand inspections or other services.  The same hammer will be applied, under the proposed language for any owner who hasn’t met the obligation for the annual testing for Trichomoniasis.

Relevant Nevada Farm Bureau Policy on these related issues include:

Disease Control:               132
We support the operation of an effective Trichomoniasis program through regulation by the Nevada Department of Agriculture and dissemination of informational education.

Nevada Farm Bureau favors mandatory brucellosis vaccination of all female breeding cattle in the state.

We urge the Nevada Department of Agriculture to notify in writing all large animal veterinarians and owners of property adjoining livestock operations where outbreaks of scabies, brucellosis, bluetongue and other quarantinable diseases have been detected. 

We favor the addition of elk, moose and bison into a disease control program, operating under the Nevada Department of Agriculture. 

Nevada Farm Bureau will work with the State Veterinarian on livestock health testing issues that affect Nevada livestock operators on inter-state movement.

Livestock producers need to be kept informed of current information/research findings regarding bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and other economically-significant diseases.

Health Certificates:             134
Nevada Farm Bureau is concerned with the relative difficulty in acquiring the necessary health permits to transport livestock into or out of the state of Nevada. 

Nevada Farm Bureau requests the Department of Agriculture to coordinate with Nevada Farm Bureau in outreach efforts to educate producers on how health permits may be obtained. 
Drought Conversations Taking Place Throughout The West
During the Board of Agriculture meeting on June 7th, around-the-Board updates/reports shared the common theme throughout the state on how the state’s drought conditions over the past two years is having an effect on agricultural operations.

Later the same day a Western Farm Bureau regional video conference took place with state Farm Bureau Presidents and organizational staff members conferring on drought conditions and consequences impacting farmer/ranchers in the all of the Western states.  The conversations also involved ideas on what might be a workable response in seeking assistance to address the impacts of water shortages and drought conditions throughout the West.

On Monday afternoon, June 14th, Nevada Farm Bureau has been invited to be part of an initial meeting of a Nevada Regional Drought Impact Task Force.

As Nevada farmers and ranchers face the variety of challenges of responding to local effects of reduced surface water supplies, less productive rangeland forage and all the other sorts of impacts, we encourage Farm Bureau members to stay in touch with Nevada Farm Bureau and your county Farm Bureau organizations.  Real-time updates of what is taking place will be very helpful in coordinating possible alternatives for responding as best as we’re able.  We also hope to use this weekly newsletter to keep readers informed of available assistance programs that we are able to identify.  Please send emails to doug@nvfb.org or call 775-870-3349.
Feds Plan To Take Up Defining Waters of the U.S. … Again
With the change of the Administration in charge in Washington, D.C. we’re headed for another try at the federal regulatory agencies trying to define what are Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS).  On Wednesday of this week (June 9th for those who weren’t clear on when Wednesday of this week happened) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army Corp. of Engineers shared that they were going to revise the definition to (at least in their view) “better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity and economic growth.”

After reviewing the definition that the Trump Administration put in place, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said they didn’t feel that enough was being regulated by the federal agencies and in their view, “…this rule is leading to significant environmental degradation.”

In their view, federal authority to regulate equates to necessary protection and from their assessment particularly significant arid states (they sited New Mexico and Arizona) had too many “streams” (supposedly over 1,500 streams) that they believe should fall under their jurisdiction, but didn’t.

“We are committed to establishing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ based on Supreme Court precedent and drawing from the lessons learned from the current and previous regulations, as well as input from a wide array of stakeholders, so we can better protect our nation’s waters, foster economic growth, and support thriving communities.” Administrator Regan shared.

  • The news release sharing this new round of government defining indicated that these “guiding” considerations will be used in the new regulatory effort…Protecting water resources and our communities consistent with the Clean Water Act.
  • The latest science and the effects of climate change on our waters.
  • Emphasizing a rule with a practical implementation approach for state and Tribal partners.
  • Reflecting the experience of and input received from landowners, the agricultural community that fuels and feeds the world, states, Tribes, local governments, community organizations, environmental groups, and disadvantaged communities with environmental justice concerns. 

The agencies are committed to meaningful stakeholder engagement to ensure that a revised definition of WOTUS considers essential clean water protections, as well as how the use of water supports key economic sectors. Further details of the agencies’ plans, including opportunity for public participation, will be conveyed in a forthcoming action. To learn more about the definition of waters of the United States, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wotus.
Farm Bureau’s Reaction To The Announcement Of Another Round Of Federal Definition Writing On WOTUS…
The response from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF’s) President Zippy Duvall was one of extreme disappointment over the reversal of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

“Administrator Regan recently recognized the flaws in the 2015 Waters of the U.S. Rule and pledged not to return to those overreaching regulations.” Duvall said, adding, “We are deeply concerned that the EPA plans to reverse the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which puts the future of responsible protections at risk. We expected extensive outreach, but today’s announcement fails to recognize the concerns of farmers and ranchers.”

“Clean water and clarity are paramount, and that is why farmers shouldn’t need a team of lawyers and consultants to farm.”
We Would Like To Hear From You
The Nevada Farm Bureau is investigating the interest of our members on whether they would be interested in receiving a Nevada Farm Bureau podcast – or a video version of a podcast. This quick 3 minute survey will help us better understand what you would like, or if you are interested at all.

Please complete survey Here.
Have a wonderful weekend!