MDARD Announces Public Comment Period for Proposed Bovine Tuberculosis Testing Areas

Public comments will be accepted until July 17 at 5 p.m. ET

LANSING, Mich.-The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking public comment on two proposed orders that would establish bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements in specific portions of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties.

• Read the proposed order for Antrim and Charlevoix counties
• Read the proposed order for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw counties

MDARD is proposing the new testing requirements due to the detection of bovine TB in cattle herds from Charlevoix and Iosco counties earlier this year. The requirements would help ensure all cattle and bison herds within the testing area have not contracted the disease. Since these counties are not within Michigan's existing bovine TB testing area, Public Act 466 of 1988 authorizes MDARD to implement orders for testing animals for bovine TB and other reportable diseases.

The proposed orders would require all cattle and bison herds located in designated township sections of Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Iosco and Ogemaw counties to be tested for bovine TB by July 21, 2027. This testing would include all cattle and bison 12 months of age or older and cattle and bison of any age that were not born on the farm. Affected producers known to be within the proposed testing areas will receive letters providing more details.

Interested individuals may comment on the proposed orders at upcoming public hearings or via e-mail or U.S. Mail.

Public Hearing for Antrim and Charlevoix Counties

The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Charlevoix and Antrim counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Charlevoix Public Library on July 6, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Charlevoix Public Library, Community Room
220 Clinton Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720

Register to attend the public hearing online for Antrim and Charlevoix counties

Public Hearing for Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw Counties

The public hearing for the proposed bovine TB testing area in Arenac, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties will be a hybrid event and will take place at the Plainfield Township Hall on July 9, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 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 orders must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Email: [email protected]

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

MDARD will review all comments on the proposed orders and present a summary to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development during their meeting on July 22, 2026.

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

###

Sign up to receive MDARD news