May 1, 2026: Wisconsin Aligns with Updated USDA Guidance for Interstate Movement of Lactating Dairy Cattle, Removes Intrastate Testing Requirements for Fairs and Ex​hibitions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2026
Contact: Molly Mueller, Public Information Officer, (608) 910-1929 [email protected]

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is notifying dairy producers and veterinarians of updated guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding interstate movement requirements for lactating dairy cattle related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Effective immediately, lactating dairy cattle moving interstate from states designated with Unaffected State Status under USDA's National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) are no longer required to test for HPAI prior to interstate movement.

Wisconsin currently meets the criteria for Unaffected State Status through ongoing surveillance and testing activities conducted under the NMTS. As a result, lactating dairy cattle moving interstate from Wisconsin are not currently subject to the federal pre-movement testing requirements established under USDA's April 2024 Federal Order.

USDA has stated that Unaffected State Status requires continued testing and surveillance activities to confirm the absence of HPAI in dairy herds. According to USDA APHIS, the updated guidance is expected to be widely supported by dairy industry and state animal health officials and is not anticipated to impact trade of cattle or beef and dairy products.

Wisconsin also had a state order in place requiring individual cow HPAI testing prior to attending fairs and exhibitions in Wisconsin. This order has been rescinded. Lactating dairy cows attending Wisconsin fairs and exhibitions are no longer required to have an individual HPAI test unless they are coming from a state without Unaffected State Status under NMTS.

Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume. According to USDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pasteurization effectively inactivates the HPAI virus, and milk from affected animals is diverted or destroyed to prevent it from entering the commercial milk supply. The CDC continues to consider the public health risk low.

DATCP continues to encourage dairy producers to maintain strong biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread between farms. Producers should work closely with their herd veterinarians and immediately report cattle with unusual clinical signs.

Report flocks and herds with unexplained symptoms immediately: DATCP Home Reporting Animal Diseases. Report sick, dead, or injured wildlife to Wisconsin DNR at (608) 267-0866, [email protected], or visit their website.

Additional Resources

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Dairy Cattle (wi.gov)
• HPAI Detections in Livestock: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov)
  
• USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1 (usda.gov)
  

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