Advancing Animal Disease Traceability

(ADT) Road Map for

Michigan

A Three-Year Plan

Submitted by:

NORA WINELAND, DVM, MS, DACVPM

STATE VETERINARIAN AND ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

525 W. ALLEGAN STREET, P.O. BOX 30017

LANSING, MI 48913

800-292-3939

Submitted to:

JEAN RAY, DVM, PHD

AREA VETERINARIAN FOR MICHIGAN

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

3001 COOLIDGE ROAD, SUITE 325

EAST LANSING, MI 48823

517-337-4700

Date: January 27, 2023
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 _________________________________________________________ 6

2.4 Opportunities and Threats __________________________________________________________ 8

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment _____________________________ 8

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY _____________________________ 11

3.1 Vision Statement ________________________________________________________________ 11

3.2 Mission Statement _______________________________________________________________ 11

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS _________________________________________________________ 11

4.1 Strategic goal(s) _________________________________________________________________ 11

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives) ____________________________________________________ 12

4.3 ADT Trace Performance Measures (TPMs) ____________________________________________ 13

4.4 Data requirements _______________________________________________________________ 13

4.5 Information technology plan _______________________________________________________ 15

4.6 Resource requirements____________________________________________________________ 15

4.7 Organizational needs _____________________________________________________________ 16

4.7.1 Executive support _____________________________________________________________ 16

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures ____________________________________________ 16

4.7.3 Policy _______________________________________________________________________ 16

4.7.4 Staffing ______________________________________________________________________ 17

4.7.5 Budget requirements___________________________________________________________ 17

4.7.6 Outreach (required to be addressed within the Road Map) ____________________________ 17

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity _________________________________ 19

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY ____________________________________________________________ 19

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement _______________________________________________ 19

5.2 Implementation of objectives ______________________________________________________ 20
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Animal Industry 

Division (MDARD AID) supports a functional, nationally accepted system for 

animal disease traceability. It is important to be able to accurately trace animals 

back to their premises of origin and forward through to their current premises, and to 

do so in a quick, efficient, and cost-effective manner. This is especially the case 

when dealing with contagious diseases that can spread rapidly, affect multiple 

species of animals, or have zoonotic potential.

Due to the presence of endemic bovine tuberculosis (TB) in one region of the state, 

Michigan has been on the cutting edge of animal disease traceability (ADT) with 

mandatory use of radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags in cattle and bison 

since 2007 and the utilization of the USAHERDS database for tracing individual 

animals. Significant investments have been made to establish, maintain, and upgrade 

a technology infrastructure to capture and transmit RFID traceability data from 

veterinarians, livestock markets, and slaughter plants across Michigan and in nearby 

states. Recent advances in this infrastructure include an RFID-based market software 

system integrated with Michigan’s USAHERDS database for real-time traceability, 

as well as ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID readers to supplement existing low 

frequency (LF) RFID readers. Producer accessibility and compliance with RFID ear 

tags was expanded in the last several years through a statute change allowing 

untagged cattle to move to approved tagging sites. All approved tagging sites in 

Michigan adhere to ADT standards and report tag distribution records into a federal 

database to enhance national traceability. Over the last decade, MDARD AID 

centralized processing of interstate certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) to 

ensure a consistent response to improperly completed CVIs and to electronically file 

them in a searchable format for rapid retrieval during an animal disease event. 

MDARD AID is committed to USDA’s four overarching goals for advancing 

traceability. Michigan will further advance ADT over the next three years by:

• Enhancing USAHERDS through version updates, legacy system integration, 

improved data quality, and automated data transmission.

• Sharing data with USDA’s Animal Health Event Repository.

• Verifying livestock premises data on a recurring schedule. 

• Conducting outreach with veterinarians to educate and encourage use of 

electronic forms and RFID wands to capture and submit traceability information 

accurately and efficiently.

• Educating slaughter facilities on animal disease traceability to encourage the 

collection of RFID tag data from carcasses. 

• Continuing to integrate UHF RFID readers into existing LF RFID infrastructure.

• Improving traceability of sheep and goats at collection points. 

• Enforcing interstate movement requirements of livestock in transit.
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II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we?

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Animal 

Industry Division is led by the State Veterinarian to enforce Act 466 of 

1988, known as the Animal Industry Act, and other animal-related 

legislation. MDARD AID is responsible for programs that control and 

eradicate reportable, contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases of 

livestock, poultry, aquaculture, equine and companion animals; controlling 

contamination of animals from toxic substances; enforcing and supporting 

the humane treatment of animals; and promoting Michigan’s animal 

industries.

Michigan has the unique challenge of endemic bovine tuberculosis in free 

ranging white-tailed deer living in the northeastern portion of Michigan’s 

lower peninsula. MDARD AID, USDA APHIS VS, USDA APHIS WS, 

and partner agencies dedicate significant resources to monitoring and 

managing this disease. Bovine tuberculosis could spread beyond the 

endemic area in Michigan without a robust traceability system. Therefore, 

many ADT activities focused on cattle were implemented out of necessity 

to contain this disease.

Collaboration between MDARD AID, USDA, accredited veterinarians, 

livestock markets, slaughter facilities, and other key industry stakeholders 

strengthens the ADT program in Michigan. Meetings are held as needed to 

inform and gather feedback from these partners.

Traceability data is used internally to track livestock sightings and animal 

movements for disease investigations and disease control programs and to 

monitor for illegal movements. MDARD AID shares traceability data with 

USDA APHIS VS on a routine basis under a material transfer agreement, 

and with other federal, state, and tribal government agencies, as needed, to 

assist with animal disease traces. MDARD AID also shares RFID reads 

with livestock markets and slaughter facilities from cattle scanned on site 

if they choose to include RFID in their records. Under the Animal Industry 

Act, information that identifies the owner of an animal suspected or 

confirmed to be affected by a reportable animal disease or toxic substance 

is confidential, unless deemed necessary by the director to protect public 

health or animal health.

2.2 Where are we now?

Animal disease traceability is integrated into many MDARD AID 

programs to support our mission. National Priority Tracing exercises 

(NPTs) are utilized to assess our trace capability based on successful and 
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timely completion of assigned trace quotas using USDA’s four trace 

performance measures (TPMs). USDA’s state report for Michigan during 

the 2022-2023 Cooperative Agreement period identified zero performance 

concerns and documented the average elapsed times for MDARD AID to 

successfully complete each trace performance measure:

TPM 1 = 0.16 hours 

TPM 2 = 0.36 hours

TPM 3 = 0.34 hours

TPM 4 = 0.34 hours

Coordination with other division programs and our partner agencies is 

essential to a successful traceability program. Traceability topics are 

discussed at biweekly check-in meetings with CVI staff. Biweekly ADT 

Information Technology (IT) meetings focus on identifying traceability 

issues in the field and driving forward traceability enhancement projects. 

The ADT program manager meets at least monthly with the USDA 

Animal Identification Coordinator (AIC). ADT program updates and 

concerns are addressed during regular conference calls with field staff, and 

a summary is included in the AID Weekly Update newsletter to division

and department staff. The TB program, Compliance Investigative Unit, 

MDNR, USDA APHIS VS, and USDA APHIS WS personnel are kept up 

to date on traceability issues during biweekly bovine TB meetings. 

Anytime issues are identified, they are raised to the appropriate area to be 

addressed in a timely fashion. The ADT program input and feedback is 

sought from other programs and units when developing and initiating 

activities with traceability implications. 

Statewide coordination includes informing veterinarians on traceability 

topics through accreditation presentations, quarterly Animal Health 

Update newsletters, directed outreach regarding electronic CVIs and RFID 

tags, resources posted to our website, and social media messaging. Solid 

working relationships with USDA AMS Packers and Stockyards Division 

and ADT personnel in other states further strengthens MDARD AID’s 

traceability program. 

MDARD AID uses the United States Animal Health Emergency 

Reporting Diagnostic System (USAHERDS) as the main database for 

traceability and disease control activities. USAHERDS is currently 

running on version 2021 with additional upgrades and enhancements to be 

accomplished over the next year. This system is accessible to approved 

users 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Information stored outside of 

USAHERDS is accessible during normal business hours when authorized 

personnel are present.

Historically, federal funding has enabled MDARD AID to maintain 

personnel for CVI reviewing and processing; purchase and distribute 
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handheld RFID wands to livestock markets, custom slaughter facilities, 

and fee basis veterinarians; replace outdated LF RFID readers, and install 

additional LF and UHF RFID readers at livestock markets and packing 

plants. Federal funding will continue to have a significant impact on our 

ability to complete the traceability objectives outlined in this road map. 

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses

The strengths of MDARD AID’s animal disease traceability program 

include industry support, mandatory official identification requirements, 

and use of technology to track animal movements. 

Industry groups recognize the value of animal disease traceability in 

Michigan, especially the impact it’s had on the beef and dairy sectors to 

control endemic bovine TB. Being able to rapidly determine which herds 

to include in an animal disease investigation, and moreover which herds to 

exclude, minimizes the disruption to commerce and uses limited State 

resources more efficiently.

Since 2007, State law has required that RFID ear tags be applied to cattle 

and bison prior to leaving a Michigan premises and purchasing official 

identification tags is a commonplace activity for our livestock producers. 

RFID tags are now mandatory for intrastate movement of cattle and bison, 

while other forms of official identification are required for intrastate 

movement of captive cervids, sheep, goats, and exhibition swine. In 

addition, all livestock species must be officially identified with the 

numbers documented on a CVI prior to interstate movement into 

Michigan. MDARD AID has a strong presence at livestock markets to 

monitor and enforce ADT requirements.

Our field veterinarians and inspectors have established relationships with 

local producers, livestock markets, dealers, truckers, and processors. Field 

staff are adept at using Bluetooth-enabled handheld RFID readers to 

electronically capture and transmit traceability data when conducting 

disease testing, reconciling herd inventories, issuing movement permits, 

and scanning RFIDs collected at slaughter to retire tags. Stationary 

equipment is strategically placed at livestock markets and slaughter 

facilities to passively capture and transmit RFID sighting events without 

impeding the speed of commerce. Education and outreach efforts over the 

last several years have resulted in over 50% of CVIs being issued 

electronically in Michigan. MDARD AID is prioritizing enhanced use of 

technology to increase the accuracy and availability of animal health 

information and traceability data. 

Weaknesses include a lack of a premises data quality plan, challenges 

acquiring IT hardware and software, misaligned state and federal ADT 
7

requirements, recent staffing shortages, and use of multiple systems to 

store animal health and traceability information. 

Livestock premises registration is not mandatory in Michigan, and 

premises which are registered may have missing or outdated information. 

While key livestock species are required to be officially identified in 

Michigan, official identification numbers are not required to be kept in 

records by MDARD-licensed livestock markets, collection points, dealers, 

and haulers. Similarly, there is no requirement for livestock markets and 

slaughter facilities to capture or allow MDARD AID to capture RFID 

sightings on their premises. Consequently, those which have allowed 

MDARD AID to install RFID readers in their facility or whose staff scan 

or collect RFID tags for MDARD AID could revoke their voluntary 

cooperation at any time, significantly reducing Michigan’s traceability 

capabilities. 

DTMB security firewalls have prevented MDARD AID from receiving 

electronically transmitted data from third parties, such as CSV files from 

electronic CVI servicers. MDARD AID is currently using USAHERDS 

version 2021 released in May 2021 while all other USAHERDS states are 

using version 2022 and upgrade annually. As a result of using older 

version, MDARD AID has not been able to take advantage of the 

improvements and enhancements made to the database. In addition, 

MDARD AID has experienced a continued decline in functionality over 

the years because database components that fail cannot be fixed since the 

vendor does not support previous versions. This has resulted in data 

discrepancies between USDA’s Premises Management system and 

Michigan’s USAHERDS’s database decreasing traceability effectiveness.

Although it is advantageous that Michigan’s animal movement 

requirements are stricter than federal ADT requirements, the discrepancies 

are confusing and sometimes difficult for out-of-state producers, shippers, 

and veterinarians trying to comply. These differences also challenge 

MDARD AID staff attempting to educate, monitor, and enforce animal 

movement requirements.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, MDARD AID has 

experienced a shortage of staff to support the ADT program, resulting in a 

significant backlog of CVIs to be processed. Additionally, several 

objectives from the previous ADT road map were put on hold while 

existing staff helped to fill the gaps. MDARD AID is working to address 

these challenges by filling open staff positions, identifying current and 

future needs, and exploring alternative staffing solutions. 

Animal health information and traceability data is not stored in a 

centralized system. Instead, multiple databases, spreadsheets, and paper 
8

files are used across two geographically separated offices. MDARD AID 

plans to integrate all information systems into USAHERDS in the near 

future to eliminate data silos.

2.4 Opportunities and Threats

This plan will significantly enhance MDARD AID’s ability to respond to 

emergencies such as foreign animal diseases and natural disasters 

effectively and efficiently. Implementation of this plan provides 

opportunities for networking and data sharing to improve traceability 

beyond Michigan’s borders, as well. Personnel resources are not expected 

to increase significantly, however effective use of technology enables us 

to do more with less. Therefore, we will identify and implement 

efficiencies regarding information collection and storage, provide data to 

State and Federal partner agencies as needed for effective emergency 

responses, and simultaneously protect information security. No alternate 

agency exists to execute this plan, and MDARD is prepared to meet the 

traceability objectives outlined in this road map.

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment

MDARD AID has office space on the sixth floor of the Constitution Hall 

building in Lansing, as well as a small regional office in Atlanta, 

Michigan. Office staff are allowed to work remotely up to 80% of each 

pay period. Permanent staff are issued laptops and cell phones with 

hotspot capability, and signal boosters are available as needed to ensure 

connectivity. 

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget 

(DTMB) is responsible for IT security and must approve all IT equipment 

purchases and software upgrades. Cybersecurity training is mandatory for 

all MDARD AID staff and DTMB is continuously monitoring for threats. 

The ADT program is managed by a veterinarian who also oversees the 

Livestock Market and Dealer program. The ADT program is directly 

supported by the Import/Export Coordinator, a lead field inspector, and IT 

personnel including a new position for a USAHERDS Specialist. The 

program manager completes the ADT Road Map, Cooperative Agreement, 

and quarterly reports, is responsible for ADT outreach and enhancement 

projects, works with IT personnel towards improving database function, 

and manages agreements for commuter herds and approved tagging sites. 

The Import/Export Coordinator reviews incoming and outgoing interstate 

CVIs, trains and oversees staff processing CVIs, educates stakeholders on 

animal movement requirements, and completes the USDA NASS 

livestock movement report. The lead field inspector provides training on 
9

RFID wands, assesses functionality of RFID read equipment and monitors 

incoming data, and works closely with technical contractors on 

enhancement projects and equipment troubleshooting at markets and 

slaughter facilities. IT personnel manage USAHERDS, provide training 

and support to Mobile Information Management (MIM) users, provide 

input on enhancement projects, facilitate IT purchases, and maintain 

equipment inventories. 

To improve animal disease traceability, especially cattle herds in certain 

areas of Michigan where bovine tuberculosis is present, MDARD AID 

began using USAHERDS as the main repository for animal health data on 

January 4, 2010. This system enables MDARD AID and USDA APHIS 

VS to capture and coordinate premises information, identification 

numbers, animal movement and sighting events, official test data, and 

more down to the level of the individual animal. USAHERDSMDARD 

AID personnel are also granted access to USDA animal health information 

systems when required to perform their duties. 

All cattle and bison in the TB Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) and 

Presque Isle County must have a movement permit issued in USAHERDS 

to leave the premises, with one exception. A movement permit is not 

required when the destination is the Northern Michigan Livestock (NML) 

market, where MDARD AID operates a real-time traceability system to 

verify herd status and test dates, and to capture each animal’s seller and 

buyer information. The Michigan State Police, Commercial Vehicle 

Enforcement Division assists MDARD AID with enforcement via random 

traffic stops of livestock haulers around the zonal boundary to ensure they 

have a movement permit. MAZ cattle sold through any Michigan livestock 

market must be issued a new movement permit in USAHERDS to their 

final destination.

Since March 1, 2007, Michigan has required the application of radio 

frequency identification (RFID) ear tags in cattle and bison prior to 

leaving any premises in Michigan, unless moved directly to an approved 

tagging site. In addition, all captive cervids, sheep, and goats must have 

official identification prior to leaving any premises in Michigan, and 

swine must have official identification prior to being exhibited in 

Michigan. Cattle and bison in the MAZ and Presque Isle County, as well 

as all privately owned cervids, are also required to have a secondary ear 

tag with a visible and unique identification number. Livestock being 

imported to Michigan for purposes other than immediate slaughter must 

have official identification, as well.

Michigan has 23 official RFID tag resellers across 20 counties to serve the 

needs of our cattle industry. Most of these RFID tag resellers are AIN tag 

managers and, as such, report tag distribution records to AIMS. The 
10

remainder submit tag distribution records directly to MDARD AID for 

entry into USAHERDS. MDARD AID also offers approved tagging site 

agreements to Michigan livestock markets allowing them to apply official 

RFID tags to cattle. To be eligible, a market must be an AIN tag manager 

and report tag distribution records to AIMS. AIN tag records from the 

AIMS state report are uploaded to USAHERDS on a routine basis to 

create a more complete data set in the state database for users at MDARD 

AID and our partners at USDA APHIS VS.

All but one major cattle market in Michigan have voluntarily allowed 

MDARD AID to install low frequency (LF) RFID panel readers, and the 

exception market scans all consigned cattle with a handheld RFID wand.

Preparations are in progress to integrate ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID 

readers into the existing LF infrastructure at most of these markets, as 

well. Several livestock markets now utilize software that allows for the 

correlation of RFID numbers with backtag numbers. Markets which 

routinely receive cattle from the MAZ are staffed by MDARD AID field 

inspectors during each sale, whenever possible, to ensure compliance with 

identification, testing, and permitting requirements of the bovine TB 

program. MDARD AID receives traceability data (market premises, 

date/time stamp, and RFID number) from these markets at least weekly for 

uploading into USAHERDS. At least quarterly, MDARD AID field 

inspectors document the number of cattle sold at each sale to calculate the 

read rate of RFID panel readers at each market. Read rates averaging 

below 95% are investigated to determine and fix the cause(s).

The only major beef packing plant in Michigan has stationary readers for 

both LF and UHF RFID tags and traceability data (plant premises ID, 

date/time stamp, and RFID number) is transmitted from this facility after 

each operating day for uploading into USAHERDS. Additionally, 

MDARD AID regularly receives traceability data from LF RFID panel 

readers in five regional packing plants which routinely receive Michigan 

cattle: two in Wisconsin, one in Illinois, and two in Pennsylvania. Many 

custom slaughter facilities in Michigan also voluntarily participate in 

RFID data collection in one of three ways: the facility scans RFID tags

with a handheld wand provided by MDARD AID, the facility retains 

RFID tags for MDARD AID to collect on a regular basis, or the facility 

mails RFID tags to MDARD AID. Regardless of the method, RFID 

numbers from these tags are uploaded into USAHERDS to denote 

individual animals that have been slaughtered. 

Michigan reviews all interstate CVIs for accuracy and compliance with 

state and federal requirements. Paper CVIs are scanned and saved as a 

PDF. Currently, all CVIs are stored in HPE Content Manager, an 

electronic document management system, and key data fields are manually 

entered for searchability. In calendar year 2022, MDARD AID staff 
11

processed approximately 27,000 interstate CVIs, of which 53% were 

issued and submitted on an electronic CVI.

Currently, paper versions of Brucellosis test charts and vaccination records 

for cattle are filed in the Atlanta Regional office, and Brucellosis test 

charts for other species are filed in the Lansing office. Paper versions of 

TB test charts are filed in the USDA APHIS VS Michigan office and data 

entry is completed in USAHERDS. MDARD AID tracks internal 

distribution of official identification tags either in USAHERDS, in an 

Access database, or on an Excel spreadsheet. Additional traceability data 

which cannot be entered into USAHERDS or filed in another system are 

stored on the division’s shared drive.

USAHERDS accepts automated data transmission from USDA MIM. 

Data files from RFID read equipment and AIMS can be uploaded 

manually through the external messages queue of USAHERDS. 

Automated data capture capability, including data from electronic CVIs, 

will increase when USAHERDS is upgraded to a newer version.

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

To be recognized as a national leader among state departments of 

agriculture through our expertise, effectiveness, application of sound 

science and delivery of quality service to our stakeholders.

3.2 Mission Statement

Protect, Regulate, and Promote Animal Health.

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The following categories must be described in the Road Map:

4.1 Strategic goal(s)

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).

2. Increase use of electronic ID tags for animals requiring individual 

identification to make the transmission of data more efficient.

3. Enhance the ability to track animals from birth to slaughter through 

a system that allows tracking data points to be connected. 
12

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.

5. Improve the existing state-wide infrastructure for advancing 

animal disease traceability compatible with State and Federal 

standards.

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives)

To support the strategic goals, MDARD AID has the following 

programmatic goals:

2023

1. Upgrade USAHERDS to the latest version.

2. Develop and implement a plan to improve the quality of existing 

data in USAHERDS.

3. Develop direct transmission of data from third party eCVIs, and 

then utilize USAHERDS for the storage and retrieval of eCVIs 

from GlobalVetLink (GVL) and Veterinary Services Process 

Streamlining (VSPS).

4. Implement and promote use of VET-CVI, a free electronic 

certificate of veterinary inspection, to increase the number of 

certificates electronically transmitted from private accredited 

veterinarians directly to State animal health officials. 

5. Process backlogged CVIs with additional staff support and/or data 

entry contractors.

6. Implement changes based on review recommendations from the 

National Scrapie Eradication Program to bolster traceability of 

sheep and goats in Michigan.

7. Purchase and install UHF RFID readers at additional Michigan 

cattle auction markets with existing LF RFID infrastructure, 

pending available funds.

8. Monitor efforts for electronic data sharing with USDA’s Animal 

Health Event Repository (AHER) and implement when able.

2024

1. Develop a plan to verify and update active Michigan livestock 

premises on a recurring basis.

2. Continue transitioning storage of siloed data, such as CVIs, and 

legacy systems to USAHERDS for enhanced integration of and 

access to traceability information. 

3. Conduct outreach at large animal clinics to educate on the benefits 

of electronic CVIs, test charts, and vaccination records, and how to 

capture and transmit electronic identification numbers to those 

documents using a handheld RFID wand. 
13

4. Offer a handheld RFID wand cost-share opportunity to accredited 

veterinarians to facilitate accurate RFID capture and encourage use 

of electronic forms, such as certificates of veterinary inspection 

and test charts, for efficient data transmission, pending available 

funds. 

5. Expand outreach to FSIS-inspected processors and custom 

slaughter facilities to increase RFID data collected for tag 

retirements.

2025

1. Institute a procedure to verify and update active Michigan 

livestock premises on a recurring basis. 

2. Discontinue the distribution of paper CVIs from MDARD AID to 

Michigan’s USDA-accredited veterinarians.

3. Purchase and install UHF RFID readers at remaining Michigan 

cattle auction markets with existing LF RFID infrastructure, 

pending available funds.

4. Develop a plan with the AVIC to monitor and enforce interstate 

animal movement regulations while animals are in transit.

4.3 ADT Trace Performance Measures (TPMs)

Completion of assigned trace quotas must be achieved to maintain 

eligibility for ADT cooperative agreement funds. MDARD AID has a 

proven track record and will continue completing USDA’s four 

traceability performance measures (TPMs) during national priority trace 

exercises (NPTs) to indicate measurable progress in Michigan’s tracing 

capabilities. The TPMs used by USDA are measured by the response time 

to answer one or more of the following questions when presented with an 

official animal identification number: 

TPM 1: In what State was an imported animal officially identified? 

TPM 2: Where in your State was the animal officially identified?

TPM 3: From what State was an animal shipped?

TPM 4: From what location in your State was an exported animal 

shipped?

4.4 Data requirements

MDARD AID uses USAHERDS as the main traceability system. It is 

linked to USDA’s Premises Management system for issuance of federal 

premises identification numbers (PINs). MDARD AID exclusively uses 
14

federal PINs for distribution records of official 840 AIN tags, however 

state location identifiers (LIDs) generated by USAHERDS are used for 

scrapie flock IDs and other purposes. USAHERDS houses RFID sighting 

events from tag allocations, test charts, intrastate movement permits, 

livestock markets, and slaughter facilities. USAHERDS has 24/7 

accessibility to approved users within MDARD AID, MDNR, and the 

USDA APHIS VS Michigan office, and relevant data is shared with other 

regulatory animal health officials upon request for animal disease traces 

and investigation of movement violations. Data collected from RFID 

sighting events at slaughter facilities of interest are available 24/7 to 

dedicated personnel at the USDA APHIS VS Center for Informatics 

through a material transfer agreement, and limited data from all RFID 

sighting events will be transferred on an ongoing basis to the Animal 

Health Event Repository (AHER) once the USAHERDS report developed 

for that purpose is available. 

Currently, MDARD AID has no agreements with another State or Tribe to 

accept animal identification or movement documents for covered livestock 

other than those recognized in the Code of Federal Regulations and the 

ADT General Standards document. Commuter herd agreements are in 

place with states such as Indiana and Ohio for interstate movement of 

swine within a production system, with others planned. The two Indiana 

swine herds send notifications prior to pig movement using Indiana Board 

of Animal Health’s Online Permitting System, and this information is 

emailed to MDARD AID and the USDA APHIS VS Michigan office 

monthly. The Ohio swine herd emails Interstate Swine Movement Reports 

prior to pig movement to the Ohio Department of Agriculture and 

MDARD AID and monthly to the USDA APHIS VS offices in Ohio and 

Michigan. These movement reports are stored on the MDARD AID shared 

drive.

Official metal NUES tags are requested by Category II accredited 

veterinarians only on rare occasions, and MDARD AID expects to have a 

surplus of metal NUES tags once they are no longer considered official 

ID. NUES tag distribution to accredited veterinarians is tracked on a 

spreadsheet and the accredited veterinarian is responsible for retaining a 

record of the tag distribution for at least five years.

Interstate CVIs are forwarded to receiving states at least weekly, and 

interstate CVIs in violation of federal ADT regulations are shared to the 

USDA APHIS VS AVIC at least quarterly. MDARD AID currently stores 

interstate CVIs in HPE Content Manager, an electronic document 

management system. Available personnel resources are not sufficient to 

capture official identification or group/lot numbers from CVIs in the 

current system. HPE Content Manager is only accessible to approved 

users within MDARD AID during normal business hours and is shared 
15

with other regulatory animal health officials upon request for animal 

disease traces and investigation of movement violations. 

4.5 Information technology plan

Information technology (IT) support is crucial to enhancing and 

maintaining the State-wide infrastructure for our animal traceability 

program. USAHERDS, Content Manager, and other traceability data 

stored on the shared drive are backed up at least daily by DTMB. 

USAHERDS is available to Michigan through a contract with Acclaim. 

MDARD AID recently created and filled a USAHERDS Specialist 

position to move legacy data systems into USAHERDS, work with animal 

health programs to better utilize database functionality and improve the 

quality of system data. The USAHERDS Specialist will also work with 

DTMB and Acclaim on updates and version releases. The ADT program 

manager and USAHERDS Specialist will work cooperatively to complete 

the USAHERDS-based traceability objectives outlined in this plan. 

The real-time RFID traceability market system in the MAZ is supported 

through a maintenance contract with the software vendor. Additionally, 

back-up procedures are in place for core processes, such as verifying and 

permitting bovine TB movements from the MAZ, so they may continue if 

the system is down. 

RFID tag numbers sighted by stationary panel readers at livestock markets 

and packing plants are routed through our cellular multiplexer and 

transmitted to vendor cloud-based portals with limited access. Routine 

equipment checks and data monitoring ensures rapid detection of technical 

errors. Until MDARD AID can receive these data transmissions directly to 

USAHERDS, continuation of the vendor contracts will remain vital to the 

health of Michigan’s traceability program.

4.6 Resource requirements

While there is considerable overlap of traceability activities with the 

bovine TB program and other animal health programs within the division, 

dedicated personnel are necessary to complete distinct functions to 

advance the traceability program. MDARD AID is currently exploring 

staffing solutions, such as contractors for CVI data entry, and is looking to 

fill existing position vacancies. Division leadership will continue making 

assessments for workforce planning.

MDARD AID will further encourage the use of electronic CVIs by 

offering VET-CVI at no cost and will increase the attractiveness by 
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offering Bluetooth-enabled handheld RFID readers to Category II 

accredited veterinarians through a cost-share initiative. Available funds 

and personnel resources for cost-share administration, field outreach, and 

technical support are essential to meet these objectives.

Efforts to capture UHF RFID sightings from additional auction markets 

and gathering RFID data from additional custom slaughter facilities for 

RFID tag retirements will require some funding as well as increased time 

from field staff, administrative personnel, and IT support for field visits, 

tag data uploads, and preparing equipment for installation.

4.7 Organizational needs

Division organizational transformations are not needed to implement the 

ADT road map at this time.

4.7.1 Executive support

Michigan’s current Governor and the MDARD Director fully 

support a robust animal disease traceability system to protect the 

livestock industries in our state and our nation. Accountability 

for the ADT cooperative agreement is documented in quarterly 

progress reports. Program metrics will be reviewed for 

appropriateness.

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures

MDARD AID has one veterinarian program manager who 

oversees import/export activities, RFID tag distribution and 

sighting data, regulation of livestock markets and dealers, and 

technology initiatives to enhance traceability, and who also 

serves as a Planning Section Chief on the Incident Management 

Team. Coordination occurs with the Import/Export Coordinator, 

IT team, and field staff, as well as the USDA APHIS VS 

Michigan office and other key stakeholders. In addition, there is 

considerable overlap of traceability activities with the bovine TB 

program and other animal health programs within the division.

4.7.3 Policy

Michigan’s Animal Industry Act, specifically Sec. 9 (3)(b), 

prohibits the disclosure of animal premises data under the 

Freedom of Information Act unless it is necessary to protect the 

public or animal health as determined by the director. 
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Michigan’s Licensing Livestock Dealers Act, specifically MCL 

287.128 (3)(a), requires the official identification of each animal 

to be recorded by licensed livestock auctions, buying stations, 

and collection points. However, it allows a backtag number or 

breed registry tattoo to be recorded in place of the official ear tag 

number, which does not align with current traceability goals. 

MDARD AID will explore updating of the Michigan Licensing 

Livestock Dealers Act. 

MDARD AID’s Compliance Investigative Unit utilizes multiple 

policies in a progressive enforcement approach to achieve 

voluntary compliance and animal traceability goals. 

4.7.4 Staffing

Animal disease traceability information gathering overlaps with 

other disease programs within MDARD AID. Due to Michigan’s 

split-state status for bovine TB, full-time staff are readily 

justified to ensure a strong traceability system. Personnel needed 

to implement the plan include the ADT program manager, the 

Import/Export Coordinator, the USAHERDS Specialist, 

MDARD AID’s IT team, administrative support personnel, and 

the majority of MDARD AID’s field staff. Most office staff, 

from our disease program managers to the supply procurement 

staff, also support traceability in some capacity. In addition, staff 

from the USDA APHIS VS Michigan office and fee-basis 

veterinarians across the State play a crucial role in meeting 

Michigan’s traceability objectives.

4.7.5 Budget requirements

All animal health programs, including animal disease 

traceability, are funded by Michigan General Fund. Licensing 

fees cover a small portion of costs associated with regulating 

livestock markets and dealers. Traceability resource needs which 

exceed the current budget allowances will be addressed in the 

federal cooperative agreement.

4.7.6 Outreach (required to be addressed within the Road Map)

4.7.6.1 Accredited veterinarians

In conjunction with the USDA APHIS VS 

Michigan office, MDARD AID will continue 

refining educational resources, like state-specific 
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accreditation training and updates to the Michigan 

Accredited Veterinarian Handbook, to provide 

traceability information to accredited veterinarians. 

MDARD AID will continue providing information 

to veterinarians in the Animal Health Update 

quarterly e-newsletter, at veterinary association 

meetings, via our website, and through teaching 

efforts at Michigan State University’s College of 

Veterinary Medicine and licensed veterinary 

technician programs across the state. Direct 

communication with users of the MI-eCVI will 

provide timeline updates and transition assistance 

with VET-CVI. This plan includes educating 

accredited veterinarians on the benefits of electronic 

CVIs, test charts, and vaccination records, and how 

to capture and transmit electronic identification 

numbers to those documents using a handheld RFID 

wand. Furthermore, a handheld RFID wand costshare opportunity will be offered to accredited 

veterinarians to further encourage use of electronic 

forms for livestock species. 

In addition, MDARD AID will continue educating 

veterinarians to improve data quality and submit 

official forms in a timely manner through letters of 

education.

4.7.6.2 Slaughter plants

One of Michigan’s traceability objectives is to 

expand outreach to FSIS-inspected processors and 

custom slaughter facilities to increase RFID data 

collected for tag retirements. Facilities choose the 

method that works best for their business: 

1. Save and store physical tags for pick-up. 

2. Save, clean, and mail physical tags to 

MDARD’s Atlanta Field Office.

3. Scan each tag with an RFID wand, pending 

wand availability (physical tag may be 

discarded once the carcass passes 

inspection).

4.7.6.3 Industry as a whole
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MDARD AID routinely communicates with the 

livestock and poultry industries. Our 

communications representative works closely with 

industry leaders, USDA APHIS VS, and Michigan 

State University to ensure consistent messaging on 

traceability and other topics. MDARD AID is 

frequently represented at industry meetings, 

conventions, and exhibitions to interact with 

producers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders. 

Livestock and poultry industries also participate in 

MDARD AID emergency exercises where they see 

the benefits of traceability in real-life scenarios.

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity

Interstate CVIs for import and export are reviewed by MDARD AID’s 

Import/Export Coordinator for completion of data, timeliness, and 

satisfaction of movement requirements. Issuing veterinarians (or the origin 

state office, for import CVIs) receive a letter of education explaining 

deficiencies, and all ADT violations are reported to the AVIC for further 

investigation. 

MDARD AID currently uses Content Manager, an electronic document 

management system, to capture searchable information from interstate 

CVIs, including origin name, city, and state; destination name, city and 

state; issuing veterinarian; issue date; certificate number; species; number 

of animals; and movement purpose. Additionally, MDARD AID monitors 

swine movement reports from commuter herds, as well as NPIP poultry 

flocks reporting movements using the NPIP database or submitting VS 9-3 

forms.

Animal disease traceability statistics stipulated by the ADT cooperative 

agreement will be reported quarterly, as required.

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY 

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement

1) Enhance USAHERDS through version updates, legacy system 

integration, improved data quality, and automated data 

transmission.

2) Share data with USDA’s Animal Health Event Repository.

3) Verify livestock premises data on a recurring schedule. 
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4) Conduct outreach with veterinarians to educate and encourage use 

of electronic forms and RFID wands to capture and submit 

traceability information accurately and efficiently.

5) Educate slaughter facilities on animal disease traceability to 

encourage the collection of RFID tag data from carcasses. 

6) Continue integrating UHF RFID readers into existing LF RFID 

infrastructure.

7) Improve traceability of sheep and goats at collection points. 

8) Monitor and enforce interstate movement requirements of 

livestock in transit.

5.2 Implementation of objectives

Specific programmatic goals to advance animal disease traceability in 

Michigan are described for each year in Section IV 4.2 of this Road Map.