MDARD Announces Public Comment Period for Proposed Bovine Tuberculosis Testing Areas

Public comment will be accepted until November 13 at 5 p.m. ET

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking public comment on a proposed order that would expand bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements in specific portions of Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties. A separate order, signed Aug. 1, 2026, established testing in different areas of the three same counties.

• Read the proposed order for the added township sections

MDARD is proposing the new testing requirements due to the detection of bovine TB in additional cattle herds from Iosco County last month. These supplementary testing efforts are required as part of Michigan's bovine TB management plan that allows for split-state status and determines the extent of disease movement outside the four-county Modified Accredited Zone. Since Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties are not within Michigan's existing bovine TB testing area, Public Act 466 of 1988 authorizes MDARD to implement an order for testing animals for bovine TB and other reportable diseases.

The proposed order would require all cattle and bison herds located in additional designated township sections of Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties to be tested for bovine TB by July 31, 2027. This testing would include all cattle and bison 12 months of age or older as well as cattle and bison of any age that were not born on the farm. Producers known to be within the proposed testing area will receive a letter providing more details.

Interested individuals may comment on the proposed order at an upcoming public hearing or via e-mail or U.S. Mail.

Public Hearing for Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw Counties

The public hearing for the proposed expanded bovine TB testing area in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties will take place at the Plainfield Township Hall on October 28, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Plainfield Township Hall

415 E. Main Street, Suite 104

Hale, MI 48739

Register to attend the public hearing online for Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties

Submit Written Comments

Written comments regarding the proposed order must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deborah A. Stabenow Building, Jeff Haarer, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909

MDARD will review all comments on the proposed order and present a summary to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development during their meeting on November 17, 2026. If approved by the MDARD director, the proposed order would go into effect on December 1, 2026.

For more information about Michigan's efforts to combat bovine TB, visit MDARD's bovine TB web page.

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