ADVANCING ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY

ROAD MAP FOR

MONTANA

A Three-Year Plan

Submitted by:

TAHNEE SZYMANSKI, DVM

ASSISTANT STATE VETERINARIAN

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

PO BOX 202001 HELENA, MT 59620-2001

(406) 444-5214

[SIGNATURE] ___________________________________________________________________ 

Submitted to:

SCOTT BEUTELSCHIES, DVM

AREA VETERINARIAN IN CHARGE FOR MONTANA

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

208 N. MONTANA AVENUE SUITE 101

HELENA, MT 59601

(406) 449-2220

3/22/2022
Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................................3

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION.................................................................................4

2.1 Who are we? ................................................................................................................ 4

2.2 Where are we now? ....................................................................................................4

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses.........................................................................................5

2.4 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment.............................. 5

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY .................................6

3.1 Mission statement.......................................................................................................6

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS .........................................................................................7

4.1 Programmatic goal(s) (Objectives)......................................................................... 7

4.2 Animal disease traceability performance measures...............................................10

4.3 Data requirements.....................................................................................................13

4.4 Information technology plan ....................................................................................14

4.5 Organizational needs.................................................................................................14

4.5.1 Outreach..................................................................................................14

4.5.2 Livestock Markets ...................................................................................14

4.5.3 Industry as a Whole ................................................................................15

4.6 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity .......................................15

V. TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION...................................................................................16

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement.....................................................................16
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In advancing animal disease traceability, Montana has two primary goals: 

1) Increasing the amount of traceability data that is captured and stored electronically 

and is therefore searchable.

2) Improve our ability to manage traceability data by increasing the use of electronic 

records and reporting, advocating for consistency and compatibility of electronic systems, 

and streamlining the data management process. 

These goals will be accomplished by improving contact with and education of both industry and 

accredited veterinarians to ensure that information sharing is complete and efficient and by 

continuing to improve internal efficiencies aimed at the electronic capture of traceability data. 

Record of official identification device distribution will be funneled into MDOL’s Animal Health 

software USAHerds that will provide the foundation for traceability data in Montana. USAHerds 

provides a single uniform resource that can be accessed by Animal Health personnel 24-7 to look 

up traceability data. Beginning in 2022, USAHerds will provide basic tag sighting information to 

USDA’s AHER system to improve overall traceability. MDOL will also utilize USDA APHIS VS’s 

CoreOne software, our state’s brands software programs, and other existing USDA databases 

(EMRS2, AINMS, Allocator, etc....) to complement our state’s traceability system. MDOL utilizes a

modified .75FTE for the entry of traceability data into animal health databases.

MDOL will continue to explore electronic data capture systems for official disease work, including 

testing, vaccination, and issuance of certificates of veterinary inspection. MDOL will provide 

support to industry for the adoption of these systems to facilitate reporting of captured data in 

a standardized format, consistent with the current USAHA XML standard. Additionally, MDOL has 

placed an emphasis on systems that directly integrate with our current animal health software. 

MDOL would also like to see better integration between USDA systems and state animal health 

software programs. Specifically, communication between CoreOne, EMRS2, and state systems 

would greatly benefit traceability efforts. 

MDOL and MT USDA APHIS VS are working together on a coordinated effort to ensure that the

maximum amount of data can be efficiently captured without duplication between the two 

offices. 

Additionally, MDOL will continue to rely upon our state brand program to trace animals within 

Montana. This is accomplished through several avenues. Brand inspections conducted in-thefield, online, and at livestock markets are the core of the program. Brand inspections conducted 

at Montana livestock markets are currently entered real-time into a brand software program that 

reconciles buyers and sellers and allows MDOL to query brand records for animal health 

purposes. Brand inspectors capture animal health information, at the time of inspection. This 
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allows more effective traceback of animals that have moved through livestock markets in 

Montana and will also allow more detailed information to be captured on specific groups of 

animals. For example, animals that originate from the Designated Surveillance Area can be 

checked in individually using official individual identification versus lot check-in under a 

registered brand. This will benefit both official disease programs as well as state-based programs.

Field inspection data are also entered into the same software program by office staff as they are 

received from the country.

MDOL will continue to work with USDA on enforcement of traceability requirements. This will 

include reviewing traceability data and sharing violations with USDA. MDOL would like to track 

veterinary violations by veterinarian, type of violation, and numbers of violations. This would 

allow targeted communication with veterinarians to improve compliance.

As all the goals in this plan are already underway, MDOL’s intent is to continue to refine and 

improve implementation and use of current tools to ensure effective traceability. 

Programmatic milestones MDOL hopes to accomplish during the lifecycle of this plan include:

• Transition to requiring all CVIs issued for Montana origin animals to be issued in an 

electronic format. Currently, MDOL allows veterinarians to issue up to 20 paper CVIs per 

year.

• Increase the capture of traceability data by ensuring that all official identification on 

brucellosis test charts is captured electronically.

• Support the transition of Montana livestock markets to a new platform for the issuance 

of electronic CVIs at markets. 

• Provide an electronic option for veterinarians to generate test charts and vaccination 

certificates. 

• Connect our state animal health software to USDA AHER to contribute Montana 

traceability data to the national database. 

• Development of instate applications that allow data integration between state animal 

health, brands, and laboratory data to allow more rapid compliance investigation and 

disease traces. 

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we? Animal disease traceability in Montana is the responsibility of MDOL and 

USDA APHIS VS. Within MDOL, the animal health and brands divisions both contribute 

to advancing traceability. This includes 4 veterinarians, 7 support staff, 2 animal health 

investigators/ enforcement, and approximately 13 full time brands district men. 

Montana has 7 reservations, 13 privately owned livestock markets, 500+ accredited 

veterinarians, 14 approved official tagging sites (including all our livestock markets), 

and numerous active producer and industry organizations that all contribute to the 
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success of Montana’s industry. Statewide in Montana, typically encompasses all of 

Montana and our 7 reservations. While formal agreements with our reservations are 

not in place, the historical practice has been adoption of our state traceability program 

by default. 

The traceability information collected and processed by Montana is used internally for 

tracing animal movement, confirming ownership, and disease management. Upon 

request the state of Montana is able to distribute information to NASS, legislators, 

USDA, and to fulfill public information requests.

Our state traceability program is primarily guided by federal ADT regulations with 

refinement by specific state traceability needs that are reflective of the nature of our 

industry. Because Montana is a net-exporting state that is primarily cow-calf, 

requirements for the importation of cattle into Montana exceed federal requirements. 

Montana does not currently have an ADT advisory group. This group was sunset 

approximately 5 years ago. The membership at the time was state and federal officials 

with representatives from Montana’s various livestock industries. Because ADT policy 

has been relatively static in Montana, an ongoing need for the group was not 

identified. Should changes to the federal ADT requirements be implemented, Montana 

would consider re-establishing an ADT advisory group. 

2.2 Where are we now? MDOL has an animal health computer system where import data 

and export data for animals required to be official individually identified is entered, 

making traceability a cross-cutting component to all our animal health disease 

programs. Additionally, MDOL has a brands market program in place that electronically 

records change of ownership at Montana livestock markets. This software allows for 

animals inspected at the market to have additional information recorded including 

official identification and allows MDOL to create flags for certain classes of animal by 

registered brand. 

The state of Montana’s technology infrastructure is well grounded with many 

planned and anticipated improvements on the horizon. Currently a large volume 

of traceability data, including premises, ICVI, and state-disease program data, is 

contained within USAHerds. Official disease work including brucellosis and 

tuberculosis test data and official vaccination data is entered and held in USDA 

APHIS VS’s Core One system. Traceability data can be uploaded into USAHerds 

when provided to MDOL from outside sources. Data can also be exported out of 

USAHerds for dissemination to necessary agencies and officials. The program is 

available 24/7 to state animal health and brands officials. 

Federal funding is an important supplement to the current successes of our state 

traceability program. Through the funding of a partial FTE for data entry of nonelectronic traceability data and through offsetting the cost of traceability
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infrastructure for Montana veterinarians, these gains made through this funding are 

evident as Montana continues to see improvements in our ability to trace animals. 

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses: The primary strengths of Montana’s traceability program 

are our animal health software system USAHerds, the brands software program, the 

historical knowledge of MDOL personnel, and the import permit system for all animals 

entering Montana. Recently MDOL has implemented a policy that all animals leaving 

the state must travel on an electronic health certificate. This policy allows for greater 

traceability by decreasing the time and margin of error from data entry. 

The primary weaknesses of Montana’s traceability program are the small number of 

personnel in department, the limited funding sources that are available for the 

advancement of traceability, the inability of federal systems (CoreOne and EMRS2) to 

communicate with state systems, and the resistance among industry against a federal 

or state driven traceability system. 

2.4 Opportunities and Threats

The opportunities created by this plan include the strengthening of our state’s 

brucellosis program, the ability to successfully trace exposed animals when 

investigating programmatic diseases, and the ability to strengthen our trading partner 

confidence in the disease-free status of Montana origin livestock. 

Threats faced by Montana include a large-scale disease outbreak, further detections 

of bovine tuberculosis, detections of brucellosis outside of our state surveillance area, 

and catastrophic events. Additionally, the misperception of the intent of a state and/or 

federal traceability program may result in the program being undermined by state 

regulations and policies. Finally, confidentiality of traceability data is of substantial 

concern to many livestock producers and Montana does not have these protections in 

state law. 

Without this plan there is no other state agency tasked with the protection of our state 

livestock industry, no it is unlikely that these tasks will be accomplished. 

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment: 

• Human resources – The Animal Health Division of MDOL employs four full time 

veterinarians and 7 office support personnel who contribute to traceability in 

Montana. Additionally, two area investigators, 16 district Brands personnel, and 13 

livestock markets personnel all contribute to traceability in Montana.

• Connectivity resources, both in office and in the field –USAHerds, Fort Supply 

(brands software), MIMS PDA use in the field, and federal databases. 

• Access to USDA animal disease traceability and animal health information 

resources – MDOL’s access to data lookup has significantly improved. MDOL now 

has a copy of our GDB files, access to CoreOne and other USDA databases to look 
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up information. MDOL would like to increase the number of employees with access 

to USDA systems as well as increase the overall training level of all individuals with 

access. 

• Organization of all existing paper record systems used to access animal disease 

traceability or animal health information – CVI’s, official test charts, and 

vaccination certificates are stored in house and are matched up online through the 

Montana permitting system. MDOL has a retention schedule for all of these records 

with most being destroyed after 5 years. Brand inspection data is also maintained 

in house.

• Automated data capture capability – Currently Montana has 25 PDA’s in use in the 

field in Montana that allows automated capture of data by accredited veterinarians 

and Brands personnel. Additionally, there are more RFID wand readers in the field 

in use independent of PDA’s. Tag information is downloaded and used to generate 

test and vaccination certificates. Electronic data capture is primarily occurring in 

and around Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area for brucellosis, but Montana 

has recently seen an increase in use at livestock markets and by veterinarians far 

removed from Montana’s DSA. Brand inspection data for animals sold through a 

Montana livestock market is all entered electronically and is immediately 

searchable. Inspections conducted in the country are entered into the brands 

software program as they are received with a usual 4–6-month lag in paper-based

inspections being electronically searchable. 

• Interstate movement agreements – Montana currently has agreements with 5 

states that allow the movement of certain classes of animals using brand 

information, provided the cattle meet certain requirements. 

• Tagging stations – Montana currently has 14 approved tagging sites, including all 

13 livestock markets.

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Mission Statement: The Animal Health Division is responsible for the prevention, 

control and eradication of animal diseases. This involves safeguarding the health and 

food production capacity of the State's livestock and poultry and preventing the 

transmission of animal diseases to man. The prevention and control of domestic 

animal diseases are achieved through four major areas of activity: Import/Export, 

Disease Control, Alternative Livestock, and Field Operations. Traceability while not a 

primary activity in Montana is integral in the implementation of all four of these major 

areas. 

Cooperation with USDA/APHIS on eradication programs is conducted through the 

USDA APHIS VS AVIC. The programs receive laboratory support from the Diagnostic 

Laboratory Division. The Import/Export Section supervises the livestock and animal 

import permit system as provided for in Montana Statutes. The Disease Control 

Program functions to protect the Montana livestock industry from disease loss by 

providing for the diagnosis, prevention, control, and eradication of animal diseases. 
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The Alternative Livestock Program regulates alternative livestock ranches with elk, 

deer, and other cervidae for disease control and inspection for ownership, in 

cooperation with the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Field operations include 

investigation of disease occurrence, import compliance and enforcement of Montana 

Codes and Administrative Rules. Recognition of veterinary practitioners to perform 

official work gives each program a necessary pool of professional service in field 

operations.

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Strategic goal(s): 

4.1.1 Enhance electronic sharing of data among Federal and State animal health 

officials, veterinarians, and industry; including sharing basic ADT data with the 

Federal Animal Health Events Repository (AHER);

4.1.2 Increase use of electronic ID tags for animals requiring individual identification 

in order to make the transmission of data more efficient;

4.1.3 Enhance the ability to track animals from birth to slaughter through a system 

that allows tracking data points to be connected; and

4.1.4 Elevate the discussion with States and industry to work toward a system where 

animal health certificates are electronically transmitted from private 

veterinarians to State animal health officials. 

4.2 Programmatic goals(objectives): 

4.2.1 Transition Montana to 100% electronic CVIs to facilitated rapid and electronic 

transfer of traceability data

4.2.2 Increase the number of platforms available to veterinarians for the issuance of 

electronic CVIs through use of the CVI platform offered by USAHerds and 

supporting the transition of livestock markets to the SaleTime platform. 

4.2.3 Finalize communication of USAHerds with AHER

4.2.4 Increase the amount of traceability data that is entered electronically, to 

ensure data is searchable. This includes brucellosis vaccination and test 

information. 

4.2.5 Support the purchase of hardware for capturing traceability data electronically. 

4.3 Animal disease traceability performance measures: 

A. In what state was an imported animal officially identified

If the animal in question has any form of official identification in its ear, reporting to the 

state of official tagging will be nearly instantaneous. Bangs tags and metal brite tags with 

state codes allow instant identification of the state of tagging. The AINMS which stores 

840 tag data is a web-based system and is available 24/7 so lookup of the tag can occur 

during non-business hours. MDOL expects to report to the State/Tribe of official tagging 

within 8 hours 70% of the time for those animals required to be officially identified 

following the final publication of the federal traceability framework.
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B. Where in your State was the animal officially identified?

Once it has been established that an animal was tagged in or originated from Montana, 

traceback within the state is the next step. This also should be accomplished within 24 

hours 70% of the time for those animals required to be officially identified following the 

final publication of the federal traceability framework. Multiple systems exist at this level 

to allow verification of tag distribution and identification of the point at which the animal 

was first tagged (i.e. livestock market):

USDA Brucellosis Vaccination Tag: Brucellosis vaccination tags are distributed to 

accredited veterinarians in Montana and a spreadsheet is maintained of this tag 

distribution. The spreadsheet includes name of veterinarian, range of tags, and date 

distributed.

When an accredited veterinarian in Montana submits their vaccination certificates to 

MDOL, the tags that are allocated to a producer are entered into USAHERDS. USAHERDS

can be queried by tag number and all activities associated with that tag can be located, 

including veterinarian and owner information.

Animals moved across state lines that have Bangs tags in place are traceable back to 

Montana. Within Montana, the animals can be traced one of several ways.

• CoreOne/USAHERDS can be queried. Results would include all official disease 

work that was performed in Montana using the Bangs tag number as official ID. If 

the vaccination certificate is not reported to MDOL/USDA, the tag would not be 

recorded in CoreOne/USAHERDS. The tag can be traced back to the accredited 

veterinarian who applied the tag. If the animal is branded, we can additionally use 

brand records to trace the animal.

USDA Silver Metal Tag: Silver Metal tags are distributed to accredited veterinarians in 

Montana for use as official identification in animals who do not already have another form 

of official ID. A spreadsheet is maintained of tag distribution. The spreadsheet includes 

name of veterinarian, range of tags, and date distributed.

When a silver metal tag is placed in an animal, the accredited veterinarian who placesthe 

tag is expected to keep record of what animal received the tag. Unless the tag is used as 

official identification for part of official disease work, the tag is not entered into CoreOne. 

Producers that require official identification of their animals for interstate movement 

must pay an accredited veterinarian for their time and for the application of the tags. By 

allowing tags to be applied by a producer, the financial burden on the producer and the 

time constraint for accredited veterinarians will be alleviated. MDOL in conjunction with 

USDA-APHIS-VS will begin distributing tags to producers who have either a PIN or a LID. 

Tag distribution will be recorded in a spreadsheet, in USAHerds, and if and when it is 

available to MDOL, in the AINMS.
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Animals moved across state lines that have USDA silver metal tags in place are traceable 

back to Montana. Within Montana, the animals can be traced in one of several ways.

1) The tag can be traced back to the accredited veterinarian who applied the tag.

2) CoreOne/USAHERDS can be queried. Results would include all official disease 

work that was performed in Montana using the silver metal tag number as official ID. If 

the silver metal tag has not been used in official disease work, or if the information has 

not been reported to MDOL/USDA, the tag would not be recorded in CoreOne. 

840 RFID Tags: 840 RFID tags are allocated directly to producers who have a national 

premises ID. The tags are associated to the national premises ID number in the AIN 

Management System.

Additionally, if the tag is used as official ID for official disease work, the tag number is 

entered in CoreOne along with the national premises ID.

Animals moved across state lines that have an 840 tag in place are traceable back to 

Montana. The animals can be traced in one of several ways:

1) The AIN Management System can be queried to locate the premises of origin or 

the point of first tagging.

2) CoreOne/USAHERDS can be queried. Results would include all official disease 

work, if any that was performed in Montana using the 840 RFID tag number as official 

ID.

Back Tags: Back tags are applied to cattle at Montana livestock markets. If the back tag is 

captured on a back-tagging report, an official test chart at market or is collected at the 

time of slaughter, the data can be used to identify the consignor of the animal to market. 

C. From what State was an imported animal shipped?

For MDOL to identify the state the animal originated from prior to import into Montana, 

query of the animal health computer system (USAHerds) is necessary. The import system 

can be queried based upon date, species, and consignee. Once a list of imports are 

identified that meet the criteria of the query, CVIs must be searched in an attempt to 

identify the movement of the animal in question. Currently CVIs are stored in a paper 

format in the office. With adoption of the new animal health computer system, MDOL 

will eventually scan all CVI’s and associate them with the generated import permit to 

allow electronic viewing of documents. MDOL expects to report to the State/Tribe from 

which an animal moved within 2 business days 70% of the time for those animals required 

to be officially identified following the final publication of the federal traceability 

framework.

D. From what location in your State was an exported animal shipped?
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Traceback to the birth premises, the point of first tagging within Montana, or the location 

from which an animal was exported from Montana should be achievable within 5 days

70% of the time for those animals required to be officially identified. This is accomplished 

by:CoreOne/USAHERDS can be queried to see if the animal has been involved in official disease 

work and reported to MDOL and USDA APHIS VS. CoreOne will provide information about the 

activity, date, and producer or ranch for whom the work was performed. If the animal in question 

has an 840 tag, the AINMS can be queried. The AINMS will provide a tag history that will include 

point of first tagging and any events that have been subsequently reported to the system.If the 

animal in question has a Bangs tag or a metal brite tag, the accredited veterinarian that the tag 

was initially distributed to can be identified. If the animal in question has a back tag, this 

information can be used to track movement of the animal from a livestock market. Market back 

tagging records, brand inspections and market clearance forms can be used to identify consignee 

and consignor of the animal at sale. If a brand is present on the animal in question, the brand and 

location of the brand can be used to locate the person to whom the brand is registered.

All of this traceability data can be used to locate the CVI issued for the interstate 

movement of the animal in question and to identify the location in Montana from which 

the animal was exported. 

4.4 Data requirement: 

• Montana issues two forms of location identifiers: federal premises identification numbers 

(PIN) and state location identifiers (LID). Using our state based animal health computer 

system USAHerds, MDOL is able to assign both formats. MDOL defers to the use of LIDs unless 

a requesting producer specifically requests a PIN. 

• Official animal identification in Montana will include the use of 840 identification devices 

(RFID and visual); USDA bangs tags, and USDA metal brite tags. The most recent

communication with tribes in Montana suggests that all tribes will adopt similar identification 

standards. Bangs tags are distributed to accredited veterinarians and then reported back to 

MDOL and USDA APHIS VS through certificates of vaccination. 840 RFID tags will be allocated 

directly to registered premises either through official disease work performed my MDOL or 

USDA APHIS VS, through third party PVPs performing age and source verification, or directly 

to the registered premises from the manufacturer. All tag data will be available in the AINMS. 

USDA metal bright tags are and will continue to be distributed both to accredited 

veterinarians for application during the completion of official disease work and directly to 

producers for application to animals who will enter interstate commerce. Tag distribution to 

accredited veterinarians is tracked by USDA APHIS VS. Tag distribution to producers is tracked 

through allocation to a LID in USAHerds. 

• At this time, metal tag distribution to producers is primarily to Designated Surveillance Area 

(DSA) producers who have increased identification requirements for sexually intact animals 

leaving the DSA. A significant number of MT’s DSA producers utilize age and source 

verification programs so to date the demand for metal brite tags has been low. Through a 

single shipping season in MT, MDOL issued 1800metal brite tags directly to producers. The 

development of the distribution of metal brite tags to a subset of MT producers has allowed 

MDOL to develop a system that will effectively handle larger volumes of tag distribution. At 
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this time, taggers are allocated to producers at no cost. When tag distribution expands 

beyond MT’s DSA, tagger information will be distributed to producers, and they will be 

responsible for acquiring taggers at their own expense. 

• MDOL will continue to educate and foster the use of electronic formats of CVIs for interstate 

movement of animals. MDOL will expect that all participating entities comply with the .XML 

data standards developed by the USAHA working group. 

4.5 Information technology plan: 

The primary IT needs of MDOL for the successful completion of the traceability road-map are: 

• Year 1 - The linkage of USAHerds with federal computer systems to allow communication with 

EMRS2, CoreOne, the AINMS, and the premises allocator; 

• Year 1 - Direct sharing of traceability data between eCVI systems and state animal health 

programs and between different states animal health programs using the .XML data 

standards developed by the USAHA working group; and

• Year 2 - Further development of an electronic database of brands movement to maximize the 

searchability. 

• Year 3 - Development of a state IT system that allows communication between state software 

programs (animal health, brands, and the diagnostic lab) to facilitate disease program work 

and traceability. 

4.6 Resource requirements: 

The current administration of Montana has set numerous IT goals for state agencies. 

To see the goals and objectives outlined in this plan brought to fruition, MDOL will 

need ongoing support from state IT, the governor’s office, and the legislature to ensure 

that adequate funding is available. 

4.7 Organizational needs: 

4.7.1 Executive Support – The Department has good support from the current 

administration on the need for an effective system to trace animals for disease 

purposes. Additionally, the current administration has set numerous IT goals 

for gaining efficiencies in state work that will serve the advancement of 

traceability in Montana. 

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures – The State Veterinarian’s office with 

oversight by the Montana Board of Livestock and input from our state’s 

livestock industry is responsible for advancing ADT in Montana. 

4.7.3 Policy – The Department’s ADT policy meets or exceeds the ADT general 

standards. 

4.7.4 Staffing - MDOL has one full-time staff veterinarian committed to advancing 

animal disease traceability. The staff veterinarian along with other Department 

staff oversee the use of MIMS PDA by accredited veterinarians in the state, 

including providing initial training and set-up instructions, providing technical 

support, and facilitating reporting of test and vaccination data by the 

accredited veterinarian.
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4.7.5 Budget requirements – ADT is funded through the federal cooperative 

agreement and state special revenue. 

4.7.6 Outreach - 

4.7.6.1 Accredited Veterinarians – The Department provides important 

educational opportunities for accredited veterinarians about the 

importance of data completeness, accurate and timely reporting, and 

the value of electronic records. By facilitating the learning process and 

technical portions of the use of electronic records, the Department is 

able to demonstrate the many benefits of programs such as VSPS, eCVI,

Excel based test charts and vaccination certificates, GlobalVetLink and 

GAM while alleviating any concerns. 

4.7.6.2 Livestock Markets – The Department offers support of livestock markets 

in the form of financial support to offset the cost of implementation of 

appropriate software for the issuance of eCVIs, regular communication 

to ensure that the unique traceability issues associated with livestock 

markets are managed uniformly across the state, and through 

coordination with livestock markets on how to capitalize on all of the 

information gathered at the yard to advance traceability. 

4.7.6.3 Industry as a whole: While accredited veterinarians are fundamental to 

animal disease traceability, if industry does not support and understand 

our approach, we will meet constant resistance to implementation.

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity: Animal disease traceability 

information is captured on test charts, vaccination certificates, health certificates, MDOL import 

permits, brand inspections, market clearance sheets, and at the time of distribution of official 

identification. Historically, this data was stored in a paper-based format that was labor intensive, 

time consuming and only available during regular business hours. Previously, the MDOL import 

permit system captured information from test charts and ICVI’s prior to issuance of an import 

permit and provided only a limited capability to query traceability data. In January of 2011 MDOL 

adopted a new animal health computer system (USAHerds) that allows the input and capture of 

a significantly larger amount of traceability data in a format that allows easy query. Test data, 

vaccination information, official identification, and CVI data can be entered into the system and 

accompanying documents can be scanned and associated with import permit information. 

Additionally, the new animal health computer system stores premises information for MDOL. 

Additionally, USAHerds is a web based system that can be queried 24/7, can generate associated 

documents, and that allows the export of data in formats that can be easily transmitted to other 

States/Tribes/Territories.

All livestock movements into Montana require a CVI issued by an accredited veterinarian within 

30 days prior to entry and an import permit, unless going directly to a federally inspected 

slaughter plant or livestock market. On April 1st 2020, MDOL transitioned to requiring import 

permits for animals traveling into the state on a paper health certificate only. Many of these 
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animals are also additionally required to have individual identification. Consignee, consignor, 

origin, destination, test information, vaccination status, and ID if required is captured in the 

animal health computer system at the time of issuance of the import permit providing a 

searchable electronic database. Paper records that are submitted to the office are correlated to

import permits and the supporting documents are scanned and saved in the animal health 

computer system.

Official disease test charts are entered into CoreOne and vaccination certificates are entered into 

USAHERDS and are also stored in paper format. 

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement: 

1. Increase access of accredited veterinarians to modalities of electronic reporting of 

program disease work and certificates of veterinary inspection.

2. Increased utilization of electronic records to capture brands movement data. 

3. Increase the number of official identification tags distributed in Montana

4. Interaction with accredited veterinarians, livestock markets, and the livestock industry.

5. Cooperation with USDA-APHIS-VS to ensure compatibility of federal databases with 

those used by state animal health officials.

6. Quarterly newsletter distributed to accredited veterinarians with traceability updates.

7. Increase the number of locations identified by either a PIN or a LID

8. Annual review and update to the Montana Department of Livestock traceability website.