STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE.

These regulations are adopted pursuant to sections 35-50-101, 35-53-111, and 35-50-108.5, C.R.S., in order to carry out the legislative intent and general purposes of those statutes. These regulations are adopted to prevent the spread of Brucella ovis in breeding rams in the State of Colorado. Brucella ovis is a bacteria which causes the disease known as Ram Epididymitis in breeding rams. It is principally spread from ram to ram during the non-breeding season. The disease causes sterility in affected rams. This results in economic losses to sheep producers in the form of reduced lamb crops) a lengthened breeding season, an increased number of rams required to service a flock of breeding ewes, and the cost of replacing infected rams.

No effective vaccine is available to prevent this disease. The only effective means of controlling the disease at the current time is to test the rams with the E.L.I.S.A. test described in these regulations and remove the positive rams from the flock. These regulations are necessary to prevent transmission of the disease due to movement of positive rams from one flock to another within the State of Colorado.

1.01 Introduction.

These regulations are adopted pursuant to sections 35-50-101, 35-53-111, and 35-50-108.5, C.R.S., and shall apply to movement of breeding rams within the state of Colorado.

1.02 Definitions.

As used in these regulations:

(1) “Brucella ovis - free flock” means a flock of sheep in which all test eligible rams have passed two negative serology tests 45 to 120 days apart. Annual negative test of all test eligible rams is required to maintain the Brucella ovis free status.

(2) “Individual identification” means a metal eartag with a nine alpha numeric characters conforming to the National Uniform Eartagging system, or other eartag or electronic identification device designated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

(3) “ELISA” test means the enzyme linked immunoassay test.

(4) “Test eligible ram” means any ram over six months of age which was born prior to January 1 of the current year. (Rams are exempt from test in the year of their birth) (5) “Brucella ovis exposed ram” means any test negative or untested test eligible ram which has been in contact with an ELISA positive ram during the last 30 days.

1.03 Testing Requirements.

(1) No person may sell a test eligible ram, for breeding purposes in the State of Colorado, unless said ram has been tested for Brucella ovis not more than 30 days prior to the date of the sale, and such test result is negative. The test shall be done by the ELISA test. It shall be the responsibility of the seller to provide necessary test records for the buyer at the time of sale.

(2) Rams from Brucella ovis free flocks, as defined herein, may be sold without a test.

(3) No Brucella ovis exposed ram may be sold for breeding purposes within the State of Colorado.

1.04 Identification of Brucella ovis exposed and/or untested rams prior to sale. All Brucella ovis exposed, and all untested test eligible rams (and not originating from a Brucella ovisfree flock) shall be identified prior to sale by one of the following methods:

1. (1) With a hot iron brand on the left jaw. This brand shall be a “Q” not less than 2 inches in height.
2. (2) With a paint brand on the top of the back. This brand shall be a “Q” not less than 4 inches in height.

1.05 Identification and disposition of positive rams.

Any ram found to be positive on the ELISA test or any other official test for Brucella ovis shall be identified with a hot iron brand on the left jaw. This brand shall be a “Q” not less than 2 inches in height. In lieu of branding, the ram may be castrated. “Q” branded reactor rams shall be sold directly to slaughter or they may move through a public livestock market on an official shipping permit to go direct to slaughter. Castrated rams may be sold without restriction.

1.06 Testing for Brucella ovis.

1. (1) All official tests to be used for selling breeding rams or to qualify rams for interstate movement must be done by a Colorado licensed accredited veterinarian. The blood samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory for testing. Individual identification of the rams tested must be recorded and accompany the blood samples to the laboratory.
2. (2) Unofficial tests for Brucella ovis - An owner may collect blood samples from rams and have the samples run at the Western Slope Animal Diagnostic Laboratory; 425 29th Road; Grand Junction, Colorado 81501. A record of the individual identification must accompany the blood samples to the laboratory. All rams reacting to the ELISA test must be castrated or “Q” branded on the jaw as required by Colorado law. This test cannot be used for a test to sell breeding rams or for designating a Brucella ovis free flock.