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MDARD announces public comment period for proposed bovine tuberculosis testing areas
Date Posted:
June 24, 2026
MDARD; Farm News Media
June 24, 2026
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking public comment on two proposed orders that would establish bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements in specific portions of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties.
MDARD is proposing the new testing requirements due to the detection of bovine TB in cattle herds from Charlevoix and Iosco counties earlier this year. Read the proposed order for Antrim and Charlevoix counties here, and the proposed order for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties here.
“The requirements would help ensure all cattle and bison herds within the testing area have not contracted the disease,” MDARD wrote. ”Since these counties are not within Michigan’s existing bovine TB testing area, Public Act 466 of 1988 authorizes MDARD to implement orders for testing animals for bovine TB and other reportable diseases.”
The proposed orders would require all cattle and bison herds located in designated township sections of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties to be tested for bovine TB by July 21, 2027.
This testing would include all cattle and bison 12 months or older and cattle and bison of any age that were not born on the farm. Affected producers known to be within the proposed testing areas will receive letters providing more details.
Interested individuals may comment on the proposed orders at upcoming public hearings or via e-mail or by mail.
The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Charlevoix and Antrim counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Charlevoix Public Library on July 6, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register to attend the public hearing online for Antrim and Charlevoix counties.
Public hearing for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties
The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Plainfield Township Hall on July 9, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register to attend the public hearing online for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties.
Submitting written comments
Written comments regarding the proposed orders must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026. Comments may be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to:
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deborah A. Stabenow Building, Attention: Brad Deacon, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909
June 24, 2026
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking public comment on two proposed orders that would establish bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements in specific portions of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties.
MDARD is proposing the new testing requirements due to the detection of bovine TB in cattle herds from Charlevoix and Iosco counties earlier this year. Read the proposed order for Antrim and Charlevoix counties here, and the proposed order for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties here.
“The requirements would help ensure all cattle and bison herds within the testing area have not contracted the disease,” MDARD wrote. ”Since these counties are not within Michigan’s existing bovine TB testing area, Public Act 466 of 1988 authorizes MDARD to implement orders for testing animals for bovine TB and other reportable diseases.”
The proposed orders would require all cattle and bison herds located in designated township sections of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties to be tested for bovine TB by July 21, 2027.
This testing would include all cattle and bison 12 months or older and cattle and bison of any age that were not born on the farm. Affected producers known to be within the proposed testing areas will receive letters providing more details.
Interested individuals may comment on the proposed orders at upcoming public hearings or via e-mail or by mail.
READ NEXT: MDARD CONFIRMS DETECTION OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS-POSITIVE HERD IN IOSCO COUNTY
Public hearing for Antrim and Charlevoix counties
The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Charlevoix and Antrim counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Charlevoix Public Library on July 6, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register to attend the public hearing online for Antrim and Charlevoix counties.
Public hearing for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties
The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Plainfield Township Hall on July 9, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register to attend the public hearing online for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties.
Submitting written comments
Written comments regarding the proposed orders must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026. Comments may be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to:
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deborah A. Stabenow Building, Attention: Brad Deacon, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909
MDARD will review all comments on the proposed orders and present a summary to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development during their meeting on July 22, 2026.
For more information about Michigan’s efforts to combat bovine TB, visit MDARD’s bovine TB website.