ADVANCING ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY

ROAD MAP FOR

STATE OF IOWA

A Three-Year Plan Update

Submitted by:

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND 

STEWARDSHIP

STATE VETERINARIAN

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP

502 E 9TH STREET, DES MOINES, IOWA, 50319

(515) 281-8236

JEFF J. KAISAND

Submitted to:

KEVIN PETERSBURG, DVM

AREA VETERINARIAN IN CHARGE FOR IOWA

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

USDA, APHIS, VS

210 WALNUT STREET, ROOM 891

DES MOINES, IA 50309-2105

(515) 284-4140

 January 2022
Table of Contents

I.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................3-5

II.

CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION........................................................................ 5-9

2.1 Who are we? ...................................................................................................................5-6

2.2 Where are we now?.........................................................................................................6-8

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses................................................................................................. 8

2.4 Opportunities and Threats...............................................................................................8-9

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment.............................. 

9

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY.................9-10

3.1 Vision statement ...........................................................................................................9-10

3.2 Mission statement ............................................................................................................ 10

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................10-19

4.1

 Strategic goal(s).............................................................................. 10

4.2

Programmatic goal(s) (Objectives).......................................................... .10-11

4.3

Animal disease traceability performance measures.......................................................... 11

4.4

Data requirements........................................................................................................11-12

4.5

Information technology plan............................................................................................. 12

4.6

Resource requirements...................................................................................................... 12

4.7

Organizational needs......................................................................................................... 12

4.7.1

Executive support.....................................................................................12-13

4.7.2

Coordination and oversight procedures......................................................... 13

4.7.3

Policy............................................................................................................. 13

4.7.4

Staffing.....................................................................................................13-14

4.7.5

Budget requirements ..................................................................................... 14

4.7.6

Outreach ........................................................................................................ 14

4.7.6.1

Accredited veterinarians..............................................................14-15

4.7.6.2

Livestock markets ............................................................................ 15
4.7.6.3

Industry as a whole........................................................................... 15

4.8

Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity ..............................................15-19

V.

TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION ..........................................................................19-21

5.1

Ranking of priorities for advancement ............................................................................. 20

5.2

Implementation of objectives.......................................................................................20-21
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Animal Agriculture is a 13.45-billion-dollar industry in Iowa. 

In Iowa Quantity Iowa Ranked 

Number of cattle and 

calves on hand (2021)

3.65 million 7 

Number of hogs on hand 

(2020) 

24.6 million 1

US Swine Processed in 

Iowa (2019) 

39.1 million 1 

Read Meat Production – 

Iowa (2020) 

8.96 million 1 

Average number of egg 

layers on hand (2020) 

48.2 million 1 

Total annual egg 

production (2020)

15.4 million 1

Turkey production (2021) 11.5 million 7 

Imports (2020) ~33.2 million animals 

were imported into our 

state with the exception of

chickens and turkey. 

N/A

Number of sheep and 

lambs on hand (2020) 

151,000 head 9 

Figures according to National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) 

What is the fundamental problem(s) this plan addresses? This plan addresses a need for the funding 

required to protect the health and value of animal agriculture and natural resources in Iowa and the 

nation through maintenance and advancement of animal traceability capabilities.

• What are the key elements in summary form?

o Maintain current and work toward advancement of new animal disease traceability 

infrastructure. 

o Baseline measures and projected advancements during the funding period pertaining 

to performance standard measures. 

o Optimize the acquisition and searchability of potential animal disease traceability data 

from interstate certificates of veterinary inspection, and if applicable, data from 

bovine brucellosis vaccination, bovine brucellosis testing, and bovine tuberculosis 

testing.

o Implement an outreach plan for accredited veterinarians and livestock markets 

describing the applicant’s plan for advancing animal disease traceability, emphasizing 
4

interstate certificates of veterinary inspection (CVI) record keeping, encouraging use 

of electronic CVIs and the use of RFID technology for Official Animal Identification.

• What are the primary benefits? To enhance livestock traceability and do our part in protecting 

the health and value of animal agriculture in Iowa and the US by collaborating with industry, 

States, Tribes and Territories; as well as the USDA to ensure we are working together to 

safeguard the health of livestock and poultry.

• How does this plan build upon previous efforts to advance animal disease traceability?

IDALS maintains and updates premises information into EMRS2, so the information is 

readily available and easily shared with USDA and Field staff in the event of a disease 

outbreak. The work of our department in collaboration with producers, veterinarians and 

various industries has brought us to this point and we are now moving forward with EMRS2 

to advance traceability capabilities for State officials and USDA officials alike. Promotion 

and advancement toward RFID technologies and capture of electronic movement documents 

will allow for rapid tracing, reduction in transposition errors, and near instantaneous retrieval

of animal movement information.

• How does this plan fit within USDA’s Four Overarching goals for animal disease traceability?

Iowa will follow and promote USDA guidelines for phasing out NUES tags, phasing in 

electronic ID tags, and sharing of electronic data among federal and state animal health 

officials, veterinarians, and industry, including sharing basic animal disease traceability data 

with the federal animal health events repository (AHER).

Iowa will enhance animal traceability from birth to slaughter through a system that allows 

tracking data points to be connected; and 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. 

Iowa has and will continue to use EMRS2 as its premises identification database as well as its 

animal disease traceability system. IDALS will continue to work closely with USDA APHIS 

in regard to animal disease surveillance and traceability. The cooperator has the expectation 

that this collaboration will lead to refinement and increased capabilities of the EMRS2 system

to reduce the time of animal disease traceability. IDALS is actively pursuing producer

participation in the premises identification program, promoting the use of RFID official 

identification devices, distributing RFID wand readers to veterinarians, and educating 

veterinarians, producers, livestock markets, and industry about the use and advantages of 

electronic identification and use of electronic health certificates.

This will be done by continued outreach to accredited veterinarians, livestock producers, 

markets, and processors though individual and regional stakeholder meetings.

How does this plan support animal health information systems within the 

State/Tribe/Territory? As discussed previously, IDALS will continue to use EMRS 2 as its 

premises identification database and its foreign animal disease management program. IDALS 

is currently moving forward with a computer software system upgrade that will combine 

multiple existing animal health databases into a single, centralized, and secure database

repository which will be accessible by approved personnel.
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• How does this plan support animal health information needs with other 

States/Tribes/Territories and USDA nationally? This plan will enhance turnaround time for 

reporting and tracing by IDALS State Animal Industry personnel and the Iowa USDA, VS

personnel of suspected cases of animal disease. The plan will allow faster and more complete 

reporting of trace information to USDA APHIS, Tribal Officials, and other State Animal 

Health Officials. The plan will allow IDALS to rapidly demonstrate disease state and local 

disease status to maintain continuity of business in the face of a disease outbreak. 

• What alternatives were explored?

IDALS explored options of using current multiple in-house databases and outdated paper 

reporting systems as well as a major economic investment to a standalone state-based

program. Due to state economy, this major economic investment was not considered as a 

viable option. IDALS is in the process of selecting a new Animal Industry Information 

Technology System for secure tracking and storing animal health information.

• Resources being requested from USDA for FY2022: $243,669

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we? The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) 

Bureau of Animal Industry is the state regulatory agency responsible for administering programs 

associated with maintaining healthy livestock and mitigating disease risk to protect animal resources and 

ensure a safe food supply for the state, nation, and global markets. IDALS has worked with animal 

industries in our state for decades. Iowa does not have a livestock population within the one Tribal 

Nation. The primary livestock industry constituents that IDALS has worked with include the pork, cattle

(dairy and beef), sheep, poultry, goat, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa State University College of Veterinary 

Medicine and Extension, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and Iowa Auction Market Association. 

We continue to maintain our working relationships with other state animal health officials and USDA 

through participation in United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), North Central USAHA,

National Association of State Animal Health Officials and USDA conference calls.

• How are traceability data used internally, externally? Traceability data is used for 

tracking animal movements, animal identification, and to conduct foreign animal 

disease (FAD) investigations. Upon receipt of information indicating the presence 

of a suspected FAD or improper interstate animal movement, information is 

gathered externally and from internal databases to conduct a thorough intrastate 

investigation. If information discovered during the course of an investigation 

indicates the involvement of animals located in another state, the information is 

forwarded to that state for their consideration and investigation. Information 

provided to IDALS from another state indicating a possible source or trace of 

infectious disease is followed up with an intrastate investigation which will include 

the use of information held in our internal databases.

• What values guide the animal disease traceability system? The common goal of 

protecting animals, animal industries, food supply, public health, foreign export

markets, and our state and national economy.
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2.2 What is the make-up of the animal disease traceability advisory group? Iowa advisory 

group consist of:

 USDA

 Iowa Farm Bureau

 Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

 Iowa State University Extension

 Iowa Pork Producers

 Iowa Beef Industry Council

 Midwest Dairy Association

 Iowa Poultry Association/Iowa Egg Council

 Iowa Turkey Federation

 Iowa Whitetail Deer Association

 Iowa Veterinary Medical Association

 Iowa Livestock Market Association

Currently we meet with each organization at least once a year.

2.3 Where are we now?

• How animal disease traceability is currently defined? Currently, Iowa regulations 

require official identification for livestock moving into Iowa and for livestock 

moving intrastate. This information is required to be documented on the 

appropriate movement documents such as certificates of veterinary inspection for 

interstate and intrastate movement of livestock including animals for exhibition.

• What measures of traceability capability are currently being used? 

All veterinarians vaccinating heifer calves for brucellosis are required to submit 

vaccination information to our office via VS form 4-26 where it is stored for future 

disease traceability if needed. All official identification devices issued by state of 

Iowa or USDA Veterinary Services are tracked to the end user through Microsoft 

Excel or USDA’s Animal Identification Management System (AIMS).

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) are issued to Iowa licensed and USDA 

accredited veterinarians from the state office and distribution is tracked in

Microsoft Excel. 

Veterinarians are required to submit two copies of the original CVI’s issued for 

interstate movement of livestock to our office which is retained internally for 

tracking purposes if needed. One copy is distributed to the state of destination.

CVIs for interstate movement of livestock into Iowa are sorted by issuing state and 

species and are retained in our files for 5 years.

Our current system is antiquated and requires significant paper storage capacity. 

This bottleneck will be alleviated with the new computer software acquisition and 

implementation mentioned earlier. 

• What are the specific values and associated interpretation?

In 2020 there were approximately 84,446 thousand heifers in Iowa vaccinated for

brucellosis, which require official identification. All information is stored on a 

state database and will be moved into the new system following implementation. 

Our office is currently sending out orange brucellosis NUES tags and orange RFID 

tags, to make traceability timelier. Scrapie tags issued out of Iowa Federal office to 

producers totaled approximately 30,660 for the Scrapie program. This past year 
7

approximately 30,900 bright tags were issued from IDALS to Iowa licensed 

accredited veterinarians.

How is coordination being currently achieved within the unit? This is done through

the efforts of office staff members, maintaining five database systems and 

significant amount of paper filing capacity, plus storage and distribution of official 

identification devices and animal movement forms. 

• How is coordination being currently achieved state-wide, tribal-wide, territorywide? All distribution of animal movement forms and official identification 

devices is handled through the state office or USDA Veterinary Services. This 

requirement has been in place for several years and has been communicated to all 

Iowa accredited veterinarians and auction markets. All Iowa Auction Markets are 

Approved Tagging Sites. With the implementation of the new computer software 

system IDALS will implement an online ordering system.

• How does the present unit coordinate activities with other existing agencies/units?

Our office works closely with our USDA, Veterinary Services to share information 

for traceability and disease investigations. The Brucellosis records are kept in the

state office. For the purposes of traceability, foreign animal disease investigation 

and eradication efforts state district veterinarians (5) and USDA Veterinary

Medical Officers (3) are shared through defined cooperative districts setup 

throughout Iowa.

• What standards for traceability are currently being used? Are they appropriate?

Iowa law requires a certificate of veterinarian inspection (CVI) for all animals 

moving into Iowa other than livestock moved directly to slaughter or an approved 

auction market. This may be in the form of a traditional paper CVI or approved 

electronic CVI. All paper documents are date stamped upon arrival at our office, 

they are sorted and filed by species, state of origination, and purpose of livestock

(breeders or feeders). The current document filing system is cumbersome but 

allows for reasonable retrieval when performing a trace. All brucellosis calfhood 

vaccination forms completed by Iowa licensed accredited veterinarians are sent to 

IDALS and all identification information is entered into MS Excel. Iowa licensed 

accredited veterinarians vaccinated approximately 84,446 vaccinates in 2020 and 

all tracing of Iowa calfhood tags are searchable within the state database. The 

move toward the use of 840 RFID tags for calfhood vaccination will allow for a

simpler and more timely trace by IDALS and USDA personnel within the AIMs 

database. Iowa Code and Administrative Rules require veterinarians to report all 

calfhood vaccination of heifer calves. The calfhood vaccination information

including complete calfhood vaccination tag information, is entered into a state 

searchable database, and can be easily retrieved for traceability. When IDALS 

receives notification of a trace of suspected diseased animals a search is conducted 

on all available paper and electronic files.

Traceability will be timelier once the new computer software system has been 

implemented. As is, traceability is cumbersome and requires more time when you 

have to search a multitude of paper documents.

• What is the state of technology infrastructure? Iowa maintains a state database for 

all brucellosis calfhood vaccinations, all official identification devices distributed 

by IDALS to Iowa licensed and accredited veterinarians, all interstate paper CVIs 
8

distributed to Iowa licensed accredited veterinarians, and all electronic CVIs are 

downloaded and maintained in a state database. At this time paper CVIs submitted 

to IDALS are maintained and filed in paper form for 5 years.

Capability in terms of size? The state maintains adequate server size for 

maintaining storage of all electronic information. Compatibility within and outside 

the agency/unit/department/etc. for sharing data when needed? All systems are

Microsoft compatible and internet accessible.

• Are requests for information available 24/7, or only available M-F, 40 hours per 

week, if authorized personnel are present? All requests for information are

available Monday through Friday. IDALS has Emergency after hours number and 

if a situation arises that information is needed during after hours, IDALS would 

respond accordingly.

• What is the impact of state, tribe, or territory funding on capability? State funding 

is dependent upon Iowa legislature funding to Iowa Department of Agriculture and 

Land Stewardship (IDALS). How does Federal funding fit into the plan? Federal 

funding does not fit into maintaining the current state general services but is 

essential for development and completion of the plan.

2.4 Strengths and Weaknesses

• What are the strengths of the organization in terms of technology, human 

resources, personnel capabilities, etc.? IDALS Bureau of Animal Industry has 4

office personnel and 15 field personnel all trained in capturing information on 

forms, filing official documents, data entry and assisting in tracing efforts.

• What are the weaknesses in terms of “lack of” technology, human resources, 

personnel capabilities, etc.? In 2020 Iowa imported approximately 33.2 million 

animals, excluding poultry. The large numbers of imported animals moving into 

the state on paper CVI’s reflect a significant amount of paperwork that needs to be 

processed and filed for timely retrieval by a limited number of office personnel 

who also have several other responsibilities. 

2.5 Opportunities and Threats

IDALS will be moving forward to integrate multiple databases into a unified system

accessible to office, field staff, and authorized personnel, including our state USDA, VS

partners in the event of an animal disease incursion.

• Does this plan enable or avoid consequences of potential threats? The goal of our 

plan is to help mitigate consequences of potential threats and enhance 

preparedness.

• Does this plan provide for better use of available resources than current 

approaches? Yes, we believe our plan will enhance all aspects of traceability.

• Does this plan enhance networking opportunities? We plan to use this system to 

network with our state USDA VS counterparts.

• If this plan is not implemented, what are the threats? Without the capabilities of 

using advanced technology, IDALS will be limited in timeliness of animal 

traceability, due to the number of available staff, resources and large number of 

animals that move into our state. 
9

• If this plan is not implemented, will others be tasked with doing so? No. Our 

IDALS, Bureau of Animal Industry by state statute is the responsible authority for 

prevention and control of animal disease and maintaining all animal disease 

traceability information.

• Have previous efforts to coordinate with other entities within the applicant’s 

boundaries, and outside the applicant’s boundaries, been complicated or 

unavailable for not having this plan in place?

Yes, due to the large number of animals imported, the large amount of paper 

documentation associated with animal movements, and limited staff resources.

2.6 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment

• Human resources

1 FTE Program Coordinator

8 Field Livestock Inspectors

5 Field District Veterinarians

1 State Veterinarian

2 Assistant State Veterinarians

2 Compliance Investigators

• Space availability

Approximately 1500 Sq. Ft. of office and storage space.

• Connectivity resources, both in office and in the field

A State allocated server is dedicated for Department wide use, there is internet 

connection in the Department offices and all field staff have laptop computers with 

wireless internet capability and smartphones.

• Access to USDA animal disease traceability and animal health information resources

Access to Animal Identification Management system (AIM), USDA SCS 

(CoreOne), and EMRS2.

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

animal health information

All paper records are filed by year, species and by class of livestock (ex. breeders 

vs. feeders). All paper CVIs are archived for 5 years.

• Computerized data management capability, including present storage size, speed, security, etc.

All brucellosis calfhood vaccinations records are maintained in a database on the

state server. All electronic CVIs are accessed on a weekly basis from Global Vet 

Link and the USDA VSPS, downloaded and stored electronically in folders by 

state of origin on the state server. All Swine Production Health Plan agreements 

(SPHP) for movement of feeder swine are maintained electronically in folders, 

which represent approximately 50 agreements between several states.

• Automated data capture capability

At this time Iowa does not have data capturing capabilities of paper documents 

received.

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

Optimize the acquisition, storage, and searchability of animal disease traceability data 

from interstate certificates of veterinary inspection, intrastate livestock movement 
10

documents, integration of livestock information currently stored on multiple state 

databases into a single searchable database system capable of remote internet access. 

Electronic data will include bovine brucellosis vaccination records, bovine brucellosis 

testing reports, bovine tuberculosis testing reports, and all other species-specific program 

testing, inventories, and identification records.

3.2 Mission Statement

To provide, protect, safeguard, and maintain market access for animal agriculture industry 

through disease management, surveillance, enhanced traceability, monitoring and 

eradication of animal diseases.

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Strategic goal(s)

Strategic goal is to enhance animal traceability in a more efficient and timely manner and 

make the data accessible to state and authorized federal personnel remotely and meet the 

traceability standards set forth by USDA for now and in the future.

Other goals that exist

The strategic goal is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of animals in our state in a

responsible fashion to protect livestock producers, livestock industries, and public health 

in our state and the nation.

4.2 Programmatic goals (objectives)

• Continue to meet with livestock producers, industry representation, and 

veterinarians involved in livestock production to promote and educate on accuracy

of premises registration, traceability standards, policy development, and official 

identification.

• Continue as needed to develop outreach materials and messaging for livestock 

producers and allied industries.

• Develop an advanced tag distribution system to be able to identify more livestock.

Accredited Veterinarians order official identification tags from IDALS. All tags 

distributed are documented in Excel at this time. IDALS will be exploring this next 

year for other options for a unified tag distribution and retrieval database.

• Educate veterinarians on the need to transition to electronic Certificates of 

Veterinary Inspections (ICVI) and the advantages of such a transition.

• Continue as needed training for state and federal counterpart field staff on

advanced system (i.e. Trace First – CoreOne, EMRS2) that will enhance animal 

disease traceability.

• Distribute messaging materials and do outreach with livestock producer groups,

Iowa auction markets, buying stations, allied livestock industry groups, and state 

extension services.

• Transition into a new software and data management system that will increase 

efficiencies for electronic storage and retrieval of information currently received in 

paper form of animals moved into our state.

• Implement tag distribution system which will allow timely retrieval of records of 

tags distributed and tags applied.
11

• Evaluate all animal disease traceability systems implemented to ensure they meet 

animal disease traceability standards.

4.3 Animal disease traceability performance measures 

How has performance been measured to date?

• Our current animal disease traceability workplan adopted the current USDA ADT 

standards, which are as follows:

 Cooperator plans to make notification to State/Tribe 95% of the 

time within one business day.

 Cooperator plans to review all applicable records of official tag 

distribution within five business days at least 75% of the time.

 Cooperator plans to report information about animal movement 

within seven business days at least 75% of the time.

 Cooperator plans to review all applicable records and report all 

contact information and location of where animal moved from within 

five business days at least 75% of the time.

• Currently we meet the standards of being able to report traceability within 5 

business days. All performance has been reported on our quarterly reports.

IDALS will complete all trace activities as required by USDA. 

All traces will be completed in EMRS. IDALS can administer traces by records

kept for tags ordered by Veterinarians, AIN system, health certificates, and

Brucellosis records. This information is all kept in an electronic record system. 

IDALS also collaborates with auction markets for further documentation, when 

doing traces that may lead to an auction market.

IDALS will report enforcement actions taken related to ADT to the AVIC for 

inclusion in the Quarterly ADT enforcement action summary report.

What is the current baseline?

• Being able to trace within 5 business days.

4.4 Data requirements

• Fully describe standards to be used for official animal identification, including 

arrangements with other States, Tribes, Territories, as well as official identification 

methods/devices used within the cooperator’s jurisdiction

All official identification of livestock must meet USDA standards for movement of 

animals in interstate and intrastate commerce. State regulations regarding official 

identification of livestock parallel USDA regulations. All Iowa regulations are 

posted on state website.

• Will the State/Tribe/Territory be using official metal ear tags beyond the current 

system involving accredited veterinarians only applying the tags at the time of 

performing regulatory animal disease work? No. What formats? What volume is 

expected for use? How will they be distributed? What is the plan for distributing 

taggers? VS Memo 578.12 is to be used for reference guidelines.
12

• What tag distribution record keeping systems will be used? 

All Iowa licensed accredited veterinarians purchase official identification tags 

from IDALS and apply all forms of official identification devices. All tag 

distribution is documented on state searchable databases. All calfhood vaccination 

tags and official identification of calfhood vaccinates are reported to IDALS on

USDA Brucellosis Vaccination Record form VS 4-26 as prescribed by state rules 

and all information is entered into a state searchable database. All official 

identification of livestock at auction markets is recorded on proper releasing 

documents at auction markets and a copy of this information is maintained in 

auction market records for at least 5 years.

• What data requirements exist for commuter herd agreements? We currently do not 

have any commuter herd agreements.

• What forms are approved for interstate movement in addition to ICVIs? VS Form 

1-27 and Swine Production Health Plan (SPHP) agreement forms and movement 

templates.

• How and when will data be shared with other States, Tribes, Territories, and 

USDA? (required to be addressed within the Road Map) All data is available upon

request, per Iowa’s open records law. 

• How will group/lot official numbers be handled within the system? Currently, we 

do not have group/lot numbering system.

4.5 Information technology plan

Iowa will install and incorporate a new software data collection system. Ongoing 

training of state and federal staff on AHER (Animal Health Events Repository), 

SCS (CoreOne) and EMRS2 and merge new animal identification information into 

SCS (CoreOne).

Merge existing pertinent multiple state database information into one unified base

system and train all state and federal staff on use of SCS system.

Will review options within the next year for entering animal import identification 

information into Trace First - CoreOne database that links to AHER.

4.6 Resource requirements

• Is specific expertise needed that is not currently available? Yes

• Will consultants be needed? Yes

• Is a continuity of operation plan (COOP) in place and how frequently is it tested?

Yes, as needed.

• Are automated data capture resources needed? Yes

• Will additional or new space be required? No.

4.7 Organizational needs

• Does a need for organizational change exist? Yes. Is it recognized? Yes

• Can additional resources be leveraged within the current administrative structure?

Potentially

4.7.1 Executive support

• Is additional support from executive management needed? Yes
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• How is accountability provided? Accountability provided through reports to 

Director.

• How are officials briefed on progress and baseline measures of performance?

Monthly meetings with Director and through quarterly reports.

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures

• What is the make-up of the applicant’s animal disease traceability

advisory group? How frequently are they engaged?

The animal disease traceability advisory group consists of a wide variety of 

State/Federal staff as well as a variety of Iowa animal industry groups that have a 

direct or indirect impact on Iowa’s animal agriculture wellbeing. Currently we meet

individually with industry groups at least once a year. We correspond as needed 

throughout the year via e-mail or conference calls.

• How are emergency preparedness resources engaged or responded to when 

necessary?

IDALS currently has the IowaFADefense program, which will teach veterinarians 

how to rapidly detect, respond to and contain foreign animal diseases affecting 

livestock and poultry. The program will also increase the number of veterinarians 

who are trained and able to assist the Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA in 

responding to a foreign animal disease outbreak.

IDALS also has Focus Groups which are geared to help ensure Iowa veterinarians, 

producers, and allied industry groups are informed regarding current state processes 

to deal with a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. 

FAD Exercises are done on a regular basis with key stakeholders. 

• How is compatibility with other States, Tribes, Territories, and USDA monitored?

Iowa participates in a multi-state partnership with other North Central US states.

• How are responsibilities assigned for implementing the plan? Responsibilities are

assigned to a group of individuals within IDALS.

• How are disputes arbitrated? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

• How is feedback obtained relative to perception of successful implementation 

above and below the administrative authority? Meeting with Iowa Secretary of 

Agriculture and livestock industry groups.

• How is transition achieved when administrators are replaced? Transition is 

completed by meetings of state animal health official with new administrators.

4.7.3 Policy

• How do existing mandates assist, limit, or modify what is intended to be 

achieved? Current mandates meet or exceed federal interstate animal 

movement requirements.

• Is there a need to address any specific mandates and act to modify them to 

align them with current goals and objectives? No

4.7.4 Staffing

• How is full-time, paid support staff justified? Staff justified through 

workload demand and being able to meet needs of public.

• What qualifications are needed? Qualifications are set by State Department 

of Administrative Services (DAS) and job duty classification.
14

• What personnel are needed to implement the plan? Personnel needs would 

be 2 office FTE.

• Can other human resources be leveraged to assist in implementing the

plan? No

• Are professional credentials and certification an issue? No

• Are job descriptions for the roles needed provided? Yes

• Is animal disease traceability information a distinct function within the unit 

or an add-on “coordinated by committee” versus an individually 

coordinated, stand-alone sub-unit? It is a distinct function within the scope 

of work for Iowa Bureau of Animal Industry.

4.7.5 Budget requirements

• How are you funded for animal disease traceability? State, Tribe, Territory 

versus Federal? State and Federal dollars

• What are the funding requirements projected?

o FY2022: $243,669

• How is cost sharing achieved? Cost sharing is achieved through IDALS 

budgeting of general fund dollars to Bureau of Animal Industry.

• How can the applicant insulate against budget cuts and shortfalls? IDALS 

cannot insulate against budget cuts.

• Can other funding sources be leveraged to support this plan? No

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

Successful implementation of any plan to advance animal disease 

traceability cannot be achieved without outreach to constituents primarily 

affected by the plan.

4.7.6.1 Accredited veterinarians

• What is the plan for informing accredited veterinarians of the new 

framework and the specific three-year plan for implementation? Through 

IDALS mailings to all Iowa licensed veterinarians, through IDALS 

website, through Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa State 

University College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University 

Veterinary Extension and through personal visits and conversations 

between state and federal field staff and accredited veterinarians and their 

staff.

• What continuing education is being planned for improving data quality 

relative to animal health information systems being used? This is an 

ongoing effort by our state and federal field staff meeting with accredited

veterinarians as part of their routine work. Submitting official forms in a

timely manner? This again is an ongoing effort by our state and federal 

field staff meeting with accredited veterinarians as part of their routine 

work.

• What is the plan for enhancing the use of eICVIs, if any? We promote the 

use of electronic CVIs in our newsletter, at state meetings and through 

personal contacts with veterinarians. Continue to promote the advantages 

of the eICVIs during meetings with focus groups, producers, and 

veterinarians.
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• What role, if any, does the accredited veterinarian have in providing lowcost, official identification tags/devices to producers? Iowa licensed 

accredited veterinarians can request free RFID ID tags or purchase lowcost official identification tags from IDALS and apply all forms of official 

identification devices, other than scrapie tags provided by USDA to 

producers. All tag distribution from IDALS is documented on a state 

database. Scrapie tags are housed in the USDA’s Animal Identification 

Management System (AIMS).

4.7.6.2. Livestock markets

• What continuing education efforts are being planned for addressing the concerns 

of the livestock markets in the jurisdiction? Meeting with market owners at their

state meeting and at time of market inspections.

• What is the plan for accessing or requesting traceability information from 

livestock markets? Livestock markets in Iowa are required by rule to maintain all 

animal movement records and records must be accessible to state officials.

4.7.6.3. Industry as a whole

• How is industry being informed of the implementation plan? Through the efforts 

of State and Federal District Veterinarians, State, Federal Livestock Inspectors,

and meetings with industry groups.

• How is the advisory committee being leveraged for this continuing education 

purpose? Meeting with livestock industry and email notification of new 

information available.

• What other resources are available for industry outreach? IDALS website 

postings, annual Animal Industry Newsletter, participating in species-specific 

animal industry meetings, conferences, or trade shows.

• What constitutes industry? State organized species-specific animal industry 

organizations. What species are involved? Beef and Dairy cattle, Swine, Cervid,

Poultry (chickens and turkeys), Sheep and Goats, Equine.

• How are under-represented and under-served communities being included in the 

outreach plan? Through Iowa State Extension services, posting of information on 

a state website, and postings in trade group newsletters.

4.8. Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity (required)

• How will the number of animals and the number of shipments be monitored that 

move interstate? Currently we collect all species-specific information relating to 

the numbers of animals moved into Iowa and report on a monthly basis all of 

this information to the animal industry groups, extension and National 

Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS).

• How will the data be verified or validated? All data is captured from paper and 

electronic CVIs and SPHP documents received by our office.

• The following data must be reported for quarterly reports beginning with 

calendar year 2020:
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o Number of ICVIs or other movement documents issued for out of State 

Shipments: 4,832 ICVIs issued for out of state shipments

o Number of ICVIs or other movement documents received for In-State 

Shipments: 3,752 ICVIs issued for In-State shipments

o Number of Category II Accredited Veterinarians using eCVI: 295 

Category II Accredited Veterinarians

o List all eCVI applications utilized by Category II Accredited 

Veterinarians within State: VSPS, GobalVetLink, Vet Sentry 
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18
19

2020 Other Livestock 

Imported to Iowa

STATE OF ORIGIN MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD

ALABAMA 0 6 0 0 0 0 0

ALASKA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ARIZONA 0 8 91 0 0 1 0 0

ARKANSAS 0 2 51 23 0 0 0 0

CALIFORNIA 0 4 17 2,516 0 9 0 0

CANADA 0 1 49 0 0 0 0 0

COLORADO 0 95 166 76 0 8 0 9

CONNECTICUT 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0

DELAWARE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FLORIDA 0 14 101 0 0 0 0 1

GEORGIA 0 7 0 0 0 0 1

HAWAII 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

IDAHO 0 2 16 7 21 0 0 0 0

ILLINOIS 0 91 255 201 476 0 68 271 0 3 5

INDIANA 7 39 95 4 36 0 12 0 8

KANSAS 0 70 260 34 110 0 28 132 0 0

KENTUCKY 0 15 85 30 42 0 0 0 2

LOUISIANA 0 8 0 0 0 0 0

MAINE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MARYLAND 0 22 22 0 0 2 2 0 0

MASSACHUSETTS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

MICHIGAN 0 50 88 4 35 0 7 0 21

MINNESOTA 1 52 311 1,067 475 1,301 0 82 268 0 9

MISSISSIPPI 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

MISSOURI 5 94 457 291 521 0 235 879 0 11 49

MONTANA 0 18 114 2,116 3,075 0 827 0 2

NEBRASKA 0 125 713 306 1,457 0 158 662 0 6 20

NEVADA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEW HAMPSHIRE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEW JERSEY 0 2 2 4 0 0 0 0

NEW MEXICO 0 4 11 0 0 0 0 0

NEW YORK 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 0

NORTH CAROLINA 0 2 11 1 0 0 0 0

NORTH DAKOTA 0 11 34 2 16 0 4 0 0

OHIO 4 21 47 9 0 0 0 8

OKLAHOMA 0 98 398 32 42 0 2 0 4 5

OREGON 0 2 0 0 6 0 11

PENNSYLVANIA 1 9 18 22 0 0 0 5

RHODE ISLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SOUTH CAROLINA 0 14 0 0 0 0 0

SOUTH DAKOTA 0 31 127 1,579 6,742 60 71 820 0 0

TENNESSEE 0 14 0 0 3 0 0

TEXAS 0 25 246 1,226 0 1 1 0 5

UTAH 0 4 20 1 0 0 0 0

VERMONT 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0

VIRGINIA 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

WASHINGTON 0 8 0 0 0 0 0

WEST VIRGINIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WISCONSIN 0 176 790 94 224 0 11 620 0 4 51

WYOMING 0 3 21 1,014 1,258 0 2 0 46

TOTALS (MONTH) 1 1,349 6,191 0 658 0 28

TOTALS (YTD) 69 5,436 21,754 60 4,538 0 260

ALPACAS 

LLAMAS 

CERVIDAE HORSES SHEEP SLAUGHTER SHEEP GOATS SLAUGHTER GOATS CAMELS
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2020 Poultry Imported to Iowa

STATE OF ORIGIN MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD MONTH YTD

ALABAMA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ALASKA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ARIZONA 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 0

ARKANSAS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CALIFORNIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CANADA 88,270 86,780 961,742 0 0 0 0 0

COLORADO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CONNECTICUT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DELAWARE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FLORIDA 0 0 0 0 2 13 0 0

GEORGIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

HAWAII 0 270,520 0 0 0 0 0

IDAHO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ILLINOIS 12,085 281,165 125 125 1,125 0 0 0 0

INDIANA 20,000 0 0 0 0 0 0

KANSAS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

KENTUCKY 23 0 0 0 0 0 0

LOUISIANA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MAINE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MARYLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MASSACHUSETTS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MICHIGAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MINNESOTA 184,000 0 0 0 1 0 0

MISSISSIPPI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MISSOURI 227 1,351 0 4 198 198 43 0 0

MONTANA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEBRASKA 18 0 0 0 1 0 0

NEVADA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEW HAMPSHIRE 10 15 0 0 0 0 0

NEW JERSEY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEW MEXICO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEW YORK 38,160 0 0 0 0 0 0

NORTH CAROLINA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NORTH DAKOTA 0 35,602 0 0 0 0 0

OHIO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OKLAHOMA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OREGON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PENNSYLVANIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

RHODE ISLAND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SOUTH CAROLINA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

SOUTH DAKOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TENNESSEE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TEXAS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

UTAH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VERMONT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VIRGINIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WASHINGTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WEST VIRGINIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WISCONSIN 0 0 3,000 0 0 0 0

WYOMING 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTALS (MONTH) 12,324 86,905 0 198 2 0 0

TOTALS (YTD) 613,009 1,290,304 4,129 198 58 0 0

CHICKENS TURKEYS PHEASANTS QUAIL EXOTIC POULTRY***
21

o Nu

o

o Number of animals by species and class for move-out events associated with ICVIs and other 

interstate movement documents, indicating the number of animals officially identified and the number 
22

not officially identified. We have requested funding for additional staff in the ADT supplemental grant 

for tracking total number of ICVIs representing animals moved out of state.

o Volume of distribution for each official numbering system/device issued by the 

State/Tribe/Territory and/or AD office, including backtags by market or processing (slaughter) 

facility. Our office distributed 30,900 bright tags, 16,500 brucellosis calfhood vaccination tags, 

1,350 flex tags and 2,800 swine official id tags to Iowa licensed accredited veterinarians in the

calendar year 2021.

V. TRACEABILITY IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement depending on funding

• Meet with livestock industry representation to promote and educate on premises registration, traceability 

standards, policy development, and official identification.

• Train all state and federal counterpart field staff on any advanced system (i.e. SCS, Trace First –

CoreOne, EMRS2) that will enhance animal disease traceability.

• Evaluate software and equipment if funding is available that will increase efficiencies for electronic

storage of information currently received in paper form of animals moved into our state.

• Develop an advanced tag distribution system to be able to identify more livestock which will allow 

timely retrieval of records of tags distributed and tags applied.

• Hiring additional personnel who will be solely dedicated to animal disease traceability functions.

• Implement tag distribution system which will allow timely retrieval of records of tags distributed and tags 

applied.

• Continue meeting with livestock industries to continue collaboration on working towards advancing steps 

in animal traceability.

• Evaluate all animal disease traceability systems implemented to ensure they meet animal disease 

traceability standards.

• What specific steps are needed to advance from where the initiative currently 

resides? In order to advance traceability in Iowa additional resources are essential 

to accomplish the goals of our plan.

• Is a phased-in approach appropriate over the three-year period? Yes

• Are various components dependent upon measureable successes rather than 

defined time periods? Yes

5.2 Implementation of objectives – Depending on Funding

• Meet with livestock industries to promote and educate on premises registration, 

traceability standards, policy development and official identification.

• Train all state and federal counterpart field staff on any advanced system (i.e., SCS, 

Trace First – CoreOne, EMRS2) that will enhance animal disease traceability.

• Evaluate software and equipment if funding is available that will increase efficiencies 

for electronic storage of information currently received in paper form of animals 

moved into our state.

• Develop outreach materials and messaging for livestock producers and allied 

industries.

• Develop an advanced tag distribution system to be able to identify more livestock,

which will allow timely retrieval of records of tags distributed and tags applied.
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• Hiring additional personnel who will be solely dedicated to animal disease traceability 

functions.

• Continue meeting with livestock industries to continue collaboration on working 

towards advancing steps in animal traceability.

• Evaluate all animal disease traceability systems implemented to ensure they meet 

animal disease traceability standards and needs to meet increased traceability 

demands.

• Continue meeting with livestock industries to update advanced system used for animal 

disease traceability and demonstrate capabilities of traceability.

• Evaluate tag distribution system with livestock industries input to see if there is a need 

for refinement. 

• Work with 4H and FFA on RFID official identification devices.