ADVANCING ANIMAL DISEASE TRACEABILITY

ROAD MAP FOR NEVADA 2024

A Three-Year Plan Submitted by:

Peter Mundschenk, DVM

State Veterinarian

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

405 S. 21ST STREET, SPARKS, NV 89431

702-668-4551

____________________________________________________________________________

Submitted to:

Keren Rozensher

AREA VETERINARIAN IN CHARGE FOR NEVADA

VETERINARY SERVICES

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

1/19/2024
Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

2.4 Opportunities and Threats ................................................................................................... 6 

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment ........................................... 6 

III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY.......................... 7 

3.1 Vision statement .................................................................................................................. 7 

3.2 Mission statement................................................................................................................ 7 

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

4.1 Strategic goal(s) .................................................................................................................. 7 

4.2 Programmatic goal(s) (Objectives) ...................................................................................... 8 

4.3 Animal Disease Traceability performance measures ........................................................... 8 

4.4 Data requirements ............................................................................................................... 9 

4.5 Information technology plan.................................................................................................... 9 

4.6 Resource requirements ........................................................................................................ 9 

4.7 Organizational needs ........................................................................................................... 9 

4.7.1 Executive support ............................................................................................ 9 

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures ........................................................... 9 

4.7.3 Policy ............................................................................................................... 9 

4.7.4 Staffing .......................................................................................................... 10 

4.7.5 Budget requirements ...................................................................................... 10 

4.7.6 Outreach ........................................................................................................ 10 

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity .................................................... 10 

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY ........................................................................................... 10 

5.1 Ranking of priorities for advancement .............................................................................. 10 

5.2 Implementation of objectives ............................................................................................ 11 
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The State of Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is working towards 

compliance with the federal traceability rules. Progress has been made toward

modernizing the state’s animal traceability system. With the USDA commitment to

provide EID Brucellosis tags at no additional charge, we hope to see the number of 

EID tagged livestock increase across the state.

Nevada’s entry permit system provides traceability information within an hour during 

regular operating hours. This entry permit system is also remotely accessible to the 

State Veterinarian outside of normal operating hours if needed. Animals requiring an

entry permit (swine, cattle, sheep, and goats) can be traced to an associated Certificate

of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) in real time.

Currently, requests for traceability information are answered during normal business 

hours unless extenuating circumstances require immediate attention. For all species,

trace time is a function of timely receipt of CVI’s from in-state and out-of-state

veterinarians. Scrapie tag traces may be accomplished in one day. Data from the 

federal database is normally available within an hour, but always within one day. 

Manual traces of CVIs have been accomplished within 2-3 days of request. Currently,

NDA has observed an increased number of Nevada practitioners using electronic

CVI’s. NDA staff can search GVL, VSPS, and AgView in real time with trace

information being available within minutes or hours, depending on staff availability.

During each month of NDA’s cooperative agreement period, letters and registration

forms are mailed to producers and equine communities. Nevada maintains open lines

of communication with the state cooperators and successfully registers premises and

grazing allotments through the state data entry program.

Outreach has been accomplished with a mail campaign to Nevada practicing

veterinary practitioners, regardless of their specialty. Notification provides

encouragement and program specifics outlining the importance of their participation.

Primary emphasis to practitioners was client awareness, participation to potential and

real health situations, with an emphasis on first awareness. As a result, NDA has noted

a significant favorable response. NDA staff took part in youth group activities,

including livestock fairs throughout the state, including the Nevada Junior Livestock

Show and Sale, the Clark County Fair, the Elko County Fair, and the Humboldt

County Fair. This enabled education of premises’ registration and Scrapie program

activities as related to the importance of trace back. Trade show participation included

video livestock auctions, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, bull sales, equine sales,

NCBA Convention, and the Nevada Woolgrowers Association. 

NDA staff worked with a Eureka County sheep ranch to test RFID tags. This activity

enabled the producer to increase accuracy and tracking of inventory, reproduction 

statistics, wool harvested, and loss due to predation by retaining the data in an easy to
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manage and retrievable automated program. The producer was very pleased with the

RFID tag implementation outcome. The effectiveness, speed, and efficiency of the

RFID system provides the producer with a reduction in labor expenses while providing

the ability to manage the flock with greater efficiency.

II. CURRENT TRACEABILITY SITUATION

2.1 Who are we?

The Animal Industry Division of the Nevada State Department of Agriculture

is responsible for implementing the animal disease traceability system for the

state of Nevada. Livestock producers and veterinarians are NDA’s primary

constituents. NDA’s external constituents are the national livestock industry,

USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services and consumer groups.

NDA’s jurisdiction includes the state of Nevada as well as continued

cooperation and open communication with the state’s indigenous tribes.

All traceability data is used internally by the NDA to aid in disease

investigations. Data is shared with USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services when

requested. Privacy of data is an important goal of NDA’s animal traceability

system. The utmost effort will be made to ensure that any data collected via

paper will be uploaded securely in electronic databases without duplication or

error.

2.2 Where are we now?

Current tracking ability exists through the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

(CVI) forms and is supported by Brucellosis (VS 4-33) and Tuberculosis (VS 6-

22) test records. An inventory of female cattle is maintained through official

calfhood vaccination certificates (VS 4-24). Nevada has a state mandatory

record retention schedule of five (5) years to be compliant with ADT

requirements. This record-keeping requirement currently enables a manual

search of CVIs when needed. The retention period would suffice except for BSE

and other slow viral infections, such as Equine Infectious Anemia. The ability to

manually search records will be maintained but is dependent on full staffing

capabilities. Sixty percent of NDA’s laboratory clerical time is supported by

current cooperative agreement ADT funding (interstate transport permits,

shipping of in-state ICVIs to receiving states, management of incoming out-ofstate ICVIs, and manual trace backs).

Nevada’s infrastructure for ADT consists of an Access database, which houses

all livestock movements into the state. Nevada requires an ICVI, permit number

and a combination of TB, T. fetus, and brucellosis tests on cattle imports. The

requirements vary between age groups, beef and dairy, and breeding versus
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slaughter or show animals. Additionally, Nevada has entry permit requirements

for sheep, goats, and pigs. Horses and poultry require an ICVI, but no permit.

NDA’s data entry personnel are responsible for compliance checks on incoming

paper health certificates and electronic CVIs, as well as filing and retrieval if

trace back is required. This position is also responsible for forwarding the

Nevada ICVIs to the receiving states. All these duties are currently performed

manually and by mail since no scanning capability exists to forward ICVI’s

electronically. Due to staffing and funding constraints, the department cannot

estimate when NDA will be able to implement electronically forwarded ICVIs,

but increased acceptance and usage of GVL, VSPS, and other digital ICVI

programs has greatly increased the NDA’s ability to trace animals in real-time

without a manual search of paper records. The current operation of mailing is

performed weekly, which limits the 48-hour traceback ability on recent interstate

movements.

2.3 Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: NDA’s current operation is the implementation of the electronic

brand inspection system and mandatory calfhood brucellosis vaccination

requirements. As Nevada is a mandatory brand inspection state, most NDA

brand inspectors are equipped with iPads for recording inspections and

uploading the brand certificates in real time to a central server housed at the

NDA. Most cattle exported from Nevada ships from a producer’s operation

location in truck load lots as opposed to the public livestock auctions in Nevada.

Brand inspection of all cattle is a requirement of these shipments when

transferring ownership, crossing brand inspection district boundaries, or in route

to slaughter. Nevada has a mandatory calfhood brucellosis vaccination

requirement, which results in about 50,000 heifer calves receiving individual

animal ID’s annually. Approximately 12,000 of these heifer calves received EID

Bangs tags in lieu of metal NUES Bangs tags. EID data at the two Nevada public

livestock auctions can be captured manually when possible. The ability to

respond in a timely manner is paramount to Nevada producers and regulatory

officials.

Weaknesses: There is a clear opportunity for implementation of the EID capture

data system to track animal movements. Response times would be expedited

with the implementation of an all-electronic data system. Unfortunately, the

current brand inspection system cannot capture or transmit individual ID data.

Most female cattle in the state have individual ID’s but is difficult to manually

capture the data currently. While cooperative agreement funds are appreciated

and essential to NDA’s current activities, current levels of state funding are

inadequate to implement a robust system currently. In time, with USDA’s

commitment to deliver EID tags to the state without charge, the adult cattle in

Nevada with EID’s will increase.
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2.4 Opportunities and Threats

Opportunities: Providing education and promoting the use of EID tags to

producers and industry partners allows NDA the opportunity to provide

information on all aspects of ADT. The continued implementation and transition

of producers and accredited veterinarians to the use of EID tags provides benefits

for all involved in ADT. Increased data collection, accuracy, and quicker

epidemiological investigations will result in a shortened timeline to contain and

eradicate diseases.

Threats: Failure to continue progressing Nevada’s ADT program and

infrastructure could negatively affect the department’s ability of protecting the

state’s animal agriculture, food safety, and commerce.

2.5 Inventory of existing infrastructure and suitability assessment

The Animal Industry Division consists of five programs:

• Veterinary Medical Services Program:

o State Veterinarian (State general funded)

o Veterinary Diagnostician (State general funded)

o Laboratory Supervisor (State general funded)

o Microbiologist III (State general funded)

o Microbiologist IV (State general funded)

o Administrative Assistant III (State general funded)

o Division Administrator (State general funded)

o ADT Data Entry Personnel (Part time position funded by State

general fund and USDA)

• Livestock Inspection Program:

o Program Officer I (State fee funded)

o Administrative Assistant II (State fee funded)

o Laboratory Technician I (State fee funded)

o Brand Inspectors (60 part-time state fee funded positions)

• Livestock Enforcement Program:

o Agricultural Enforcement Officer III (State fee and general

funded)

o Agricultural Enforcement Officer II’s (4 full-time fee and

general funded positions)

• Predatory Animal and Rodent Control Program:

o Field Assistant II’s: (7 full-time state fee and general funded

positions)

• Commercial Feed Registration Program:

o No dedicated positions
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III. VISION AND MISSION CONTEXT FOR ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

3.1 Vision Statement

The Animal Industry Division of the Nevada State Department of Agriculture is

committed to reaching and exceeding federal animal disease traceability

requirements.

3.2 Mission Statement

The mission of the Nevada Department of Agriculture is to preserve, protect and

promote Nevada Agriculture. 

IV. TRACEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Strategic goal(s)

a. Enhance electronic sharing of data among federal and state animal health

officials, veterinarians, and industry. This will include sharing basic ADT

data with the Federal Animal Health Events Repository (AHER).

b. Increase use o f electronic ID tags for animals requiring 

individual identification in order to make the transmission of data more 

efficient.

c. Enhance the ability to track animalsfrom birth to slaughter through a system

that allows tracking data points to be connected.

d. Encourage and promote a system where all animal health certificates are

electronically transmitted from private veterinarians to state animal health

officials and EID data linked into the USDA system.

4.2 Programmatic goals

a. Provide outreach t o industry promoting increased data quality 

and processing of animal health information forms.

b. Continued monitoring of ICVI data to improve quality. 

c. Input data into appropriate systems. 

d. Improve retrieval times of available traceability information. 

e. Establish compatible standards for sharing data with states/tribes/territories

and USDA when needed. 

f. Integrate surveillance and traceability data.

g. Update policies and procedures. 

h. Enhance IT infrastructure.

i. Establish and/or update electronic tag distribution record system.

4.3 ADT Trace Performance Measures

a. Objective 1: Maintain current animal disease traceability infrastructure

while building upon existing systems with available funding and staffing. 
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b. Objective 2: Upgrade the potential of a 48-hour trace of diseased animals.

c. Objective 3: Institute a program providing five-day transfer of data to other

states. This database will be able to house individual ID data as entered by

private practitioners obtaining permits for ICVIs for animals traveling

interstate.

d. Objective 4: Implement an outreach plan for accredited veterinarians and

public livestock auctions describing the applicant’s plan for advancing

animal disease traceability, emphasizing interstate certificates of veterinary

inspection, record keeping, and timely distribution requirements by

accredited veterinarians.

e. Objective 5: Optimize the acquisition and search ability 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.

4.4 Data requirements

Fully describe standards to be used for location identification, if used.

a.

We will continue to utilize the available USDA systems, as well as maintain 

paper records and in-house spreadsheets and databases. Premises ID are issued 

through the Premises Management within the USDA APHIS Animal Health 

Services (AHS) Dashboard.

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

arrangements with other states, tribes, territories, as well as an official 

identification method/device used within the cooperator’s jurisdiction.

i. NDA has a Memorandum of Understanding with Utah, California,

Oregon and Idaho for commuter cattle herds and movement. We 

have agreements with Oregon and Idaho that cattle can move on 

brand certificates without listing individual official ID’s on CVI.

ii. NDA is currently issuing low frequency RFID tags. RFID tags may

be requested by a producer’s veterinarian and can either be shipped

or picked up at one of our office locations. Tag distribution is

currently tracked electronically in-house.

c.

What tag distribution record keeping systems will be used?

i. NDA is currently utilizing an in-house Excel tracking spreadsheet

for recordkeeping. Tag distribution information will be updated in 

USDA APHIS Animal Identification Number Management System 

(AIMS) as personnel now have access.

d. What data requirements exist for commuter herd agreements?

i. For established breeding herds only.

ii. Permit application on department provided form.
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iii. Origin and destination. 

iv. Females 12 months or older must be official brucellosis

calfhood vaccinates.

v. Negative T. fetus test chart must be provided for bulls 12 months or

older and must be tested annually between October 1 and May 31 of 

the previous year.

vi. Nevada registered brand. 

e.

What forms are approved for interstate movement in addition to CVIs?

i. NPIP 9-3 forms.

f. How and when will data be shared with other states, territories, tribes, and the 

USDA?

i. CVI’s generated in Nevada will be sent to destination states weekly.

ii. Nevada has an open working relationship with surrounding states, tribes

and USDA staff. Data may be requested by any of these entities and will

be shared readily.

4.5 Information technology plan

a. Current tracking databases are in-house Excel and Access tracking systems.

Entry permits may be obtained by email at entrypermits@agri.nv.gov. 

b. NDA is researching the implementation of an electronic program, such as

USAHERDS or a comparable system.

4.6 Resource requirements

a. Conversion of current part time data entry personnel to a full-time position. 

b. Funding for additional electronic capture equipment. 

c. Funding for the implementation of an electronic program, such 

as USAHERDS or a comparable system.

4.7 Organizational needs

4.7.1 Executive support

i. NDA’s administration understands the benefits and is a strong proponent 

of furthering Nevada’s animal disease traceability system.

4.7.2 Coordination and oversight procedures 

i. NDA’s Animal Industry Division will coordinate, oversee, and operate all

animal disease traceability systems.

4.7.3 Policy

i. Rules are in place and current policies align with ADT standards. NDA’s 
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current mandates meet federal interstate movement requirements. 

4.7.4 Staffing

i. Cooperative agreement funded data entry personnel position needs to

be converted to a full-time position. Additionally, an ADT Coordinator

position could better serve the program in a full-time position. Both needs

rely upon the program obtaining additional funding through both state and

USDA sources.

4.7.5 Budget requirements

i. While there is currently no state funding solely allocated for ADT, the

Department will continue to require funding through cooperative

agreements to continue and improve upon the current program. The

Department continues to seek options for funding opportunities.

4.7.6 Outreach

i. Outreach to accredited veterinarians will continue by outlining and

encouraging their participation in ADT, CVI submissions, use of electronic

health certificates, promoting EID tags, and the equipment needed to record

and submit data electronically.

ii. NDA works closely with cooperating agencies (two federally inspected

slaughter facilities and two live bird markets).

iii. Outreach to livestock producers and public livestock auctions will continue

at industry meetings and through onsite communications.

4.8 Monitoring and reporting interstate movement activity

i. Livestock entering Nevada require an entry permit from NDA. Currently, all

requests for permits must be accompanied by copies of a CVI and any required

test results. From the time this process was implemented, NDA has noted a

reduction in compliance issues that require follow-up by department staff. All

outbound animal CVIs from Nevada accredited veterinarians are reviewed for

completeness and accuracy by NDA personnel. Any non-compliant documents

are addressed through written notification and communication to the issuing

veterinarian.

V. ADVANCING TRACEABILITY

5.1. Ranking of priorities for advancement

• Implementation of EID capture equipment and software at the two

Nevada public livestock auctions.

• Issuance of capture equipment to a portion of the state’s brand
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inspectors and accredited veterinarians to further field test

implementation of hardware and software to capture data and upload

tracking through brand inspection and eICVI’s. This action will

provide NDA a resource for regional testing and perfecting of the

processes and equipment.

• Implementation statewide.

5.2 Implementation of objective

i. Acquire adequate funding from the state and cooperating agencies

to provide dedicated staffing, tools, and equipment.