Livestock Board

General Agency, Board or Commission Rules

Chapter 15: Trichomoniasis Rules

Effective Date: 01/07/2026 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 051.0001.15.01072026

TRICHOMONIASIS RULES

Section 1. Authority to Create Rules. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 11-18-103(a)(v), the Wyoming Livestock Board promulgates the following rules.

Section 2. Definitions. When interpreting these rules, the singular includes the plural and the plural the singular when consistent with the intent of these rules and necessary to effect their purpose. The following definitions apply to these rules:

1. (a) 'Approved Livestock Market' means a livestock market that is licensed by the Board and that has a signed livestock market agreement with USDA APHIS VS.
2. (b) 'Board' means the Wyoming Livestock Board.
3. (c) 'Bovine' means sexually intact male and female Bovine of the genus Bos of any breed.
4. (d) 'Common Grazing Arrangement' means any common pasturing arrangement on any private, state, tribal, or federal lands or any combination thereof in which Bovine from two or more Herd Units not under common ownership can commingle.
5. (e) 'Designated Feedlot' means any feedlot that is designated by the Board to feed livestock and that properly identifies and manages Restricted Livestock in a designated portion of the feedlot so as to prevent direct contact between Restricted and non-Restricted Livestock.
6. (f) 'Direct Movement' or 'Directly Moved' means movement of a Bovine to its destination without unloading or commingling with other Bovine not moving to the same destination.
7. (g) 'Herd Unit' means a group of one or more Bovine with one or multiple owners that is managed as one herd.
8. (h) 'Infected Herd Unit' means a Herd Unit in which one or more Bovine have been diagnosed as a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine.
9. (i) 'Official Trichomoniasis Test Identification Tag' means an ear tag that is authorized by the Board and placed in either ear of a Test Eligible Male Bovine.
10. (j) 'Pooled Samples' means samples combined at a diagnostic laboratory from two to five male Bovine with the same owner.
11. (k) 'Recognized Slaughter Establishment' means any slaughter establishment operating under the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 601-695) or state law.

(l) “Restricted Livestock” means livestock whose movement or use is limited due to disease control or other regulatory reasons, such as those requiring permits or specific handling procedures.

(m) “State Veterinarian” means the Wyoming State Veterinarian or a designee.

(n) “T. foetus PCR Test” means a Polymerase Chain Reaction diagnostic assay approved by the State Veterinarian that detects genetic material of Tritrichomonas foetus.

(i) Conducted on a properly collected and handled diagnostic sample to detect the presence of the organism Tritrichomonas foetus; and

(ii) Performed by authorized personnel at a diagnostic laboratory.

(o) “Test Eligible Male Bovine” means:

(i) Any non-virgin, male Bovine;

(ii) Any male Bovine over 24 months of age; or

(iii) Any weaned male Bovine from a Trichomoniasis Exposed Herd Unit or an Infected Herd Unit.

(p) “Trichomoniasis” means a contagious venereal disease of Bovine caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus.

(q) “Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian” means a Wyoming licensed veterinarian who has successfully completed a Board approved Trichomoniasis certification training, passed the test, and been issued a certificate.

(r) “Trichomoniasis Exposed” means a Bovine that has commingled or had fence line contact with a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine or an Infected Herd Unit.

(s) “Trichomoniasis Infected” means a Bovine that has a positive result for T. foetus on a PCR diagnostic assay.

(t) “Quarantine” means a document issued by the State Veterinarian that restricts the movement of specific Bovine.

(u) “Quarantine Release Plan” means a written document outlining the requirements that the owner or manager must satisfy before the State Veterinarian will release a Quarantine of an Infected Herd Unit.

(v) “USDA APHIS VS” means the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.

(w) 'V Brand' means a 2' X 3' hot iron single V character brand applied to the left tail-head of a Bovine signifying that the Bovine is Trichomoniasis Infected or a Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine that has not been released from quarantine.

(x) 'VS Form 1-27' means the Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals form created and supplied by USDA APHIS VS and issued by a state or federal animal health official or designee or by an Accredited Veterinarian.

Section 3. Veterinarians to be Certified in the Collection Techniques and Handling of Trichomoniasis Samples.

(a) Only a Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian may collect a diagnostic sample for T. foetus PCR Testing. The collection and submission protocol shall be consistent with the recommendations and requirements of the diagnostic laboratory. A copy of the protocols may be obtained from the diagnostic laboratory.

(b) When submitting a sample to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, a properly completed official Trichomoniasis test submission form provided by the Board must accompany the sample.

(c) When submitting a sample to other diagnostic laboratories, the Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian is responsible for recording all Test Eligible Male Bovine identification information and the owner or manager's contact information and produce it upon request by the State Veterinarian.

(d) Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarians shall recertify at least once every five years.

(e) The Board will provide certification programs.

Section 4. Duty to Report Trichomoniasis to State Veterinarian.

(a) A Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian shall notify the owner and the State Veterinarian within 24 hours of receiving a positive T. foetus result.

(b) Any diagnostic laboratory that reports a positive T. foetus result for any Bovine in Wyoming shall notify the State Veterinarian within 24 hours of confirmation.

(c) If requested, the Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian shall submit all T. foetus PCR Test records to the State Veterinarian within seven days.

Section 5. Trichomoniasis Testing Requirements.

(a) The owner or manager of a Test Eligible Male Bovine to be sold, loaned, or leased for reproductive purposes in Wyoming must have a negative T. foetus PCR Test result for the Test Eligible Male Bovine before the sale or lease. Upon completion of a written waiver request from both the buyer and seller, the State Veterinarian may grant an exemption to this testing requirement if one of the following situations apply to the Bovine to be sold:

(i) The Test Eligible Male Bovine is from a Herd Unit that is changing ownership as a whole and will continue to reside on the same premises; or

(ii) A virgin male Bovine over 24 months of age if the owner or manager and herd veterinarian supply all information requested by the State Veterinarian necessary to make a waiver determination and the State Veterinarian grants a waiver.

(b) All male Bovine tested for Trichomoniasis shall be identified with an Official Trichomoniasis Test Identification Tag, which the Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian shall record on the test record along with any other identification present. If no identification is present on any male Bovine, the Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian or the owner or manager shall apply identification, which the Trichomoniasis Certified Veterinarian shall record on the test record.

(c) A male Bovine being tested solely to meet another state’s importation requirements must be identified with an official USDA-approved identification tag, but does not need to have the Official Trichomoniasis Test Identification Tag applied.

(d) Test Eligible Male Bovine sold at a Wyoming Approved Livestock Market must meet the following requirements:

(i) Have a negative T. foetus PCR Test result within two weeks prior to sale if sold for reproductive purposes; or

(ii) Be sold for slaughter only at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment or to a Designated Feedlot for terminal feeding.

(e) The buyer must ensure that the T. foetus PCR Test requirements are met prior to change of ownership.

Section 6. Common Grazing Arrangement Trichomoniasis Test Requirements.

(a) The owner or manager of a Test Eligible Male Bovine in a Common Grazing Arrangement must have a negative T. foetus PCR Test result for that Bovine prior to turn out. The following are exemptions to this requirement:

(i) Test Eligible Male Bovine that tested negative for T. foetus after the previous breeding season and that have had no subsequent reproductive exposure; or

(ii) Test Eligible Male Bovine in a Common Grazing Arrangement if all owners or managers of Herd Units participating in the Common Grazing Arrangement submit a waiver request for all of the participants in writing and the State Veterinarian approves the request.

(b) A Herd Unit owner or manager who participates in a Common Grazing Arrangement may request the State Veterinarian to investigate compliance with these rules by participants of the Common Grazing Arrangement directly involving that producer’s Bovine. The State Veterinarian shall investigate and take appropriate action in a timely manner.

Section 7. Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine and Infected Herd Units.

(a) Under W.S. § 11-19-110(a), the owner or manager shall immediately confine and isolate Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine. The owner or manager shall hold any Bovine suspected to have Trichomoniasis on the premises until the State Veterinarian issues a Quarantine for the Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine and the Infected Herd Unit.

(b) The State Veterinarian shall Quarantine any Bovine testing positive to a T. foetus PCR Test and the Infected Herd Unit.

(c) The owner or manager shall inform the State Veterinarian of the total number of male Bovine and the total number of female Bovine in the Infected Herd Unit.

(d) Within seven days of being notified of a positive T. foetus PCR Test result, the owner or manager of a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine shall cooperate with the State Veterinarian by providing him or her with the location of the Bovine that may have comingled or had fence line contact with the Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine and the names and contact information of all Bovine owners or managers of those Bovine. The State Veterinarian will verify the information provided with the area brand inspector and notify all adjacent landowners in writing of the herd infection.

(e) The State Veterinarian shall develop a Quarantine Release Plan with the owner or manager of the Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine.

(i) Unless the State Veterinarian directs otherwise:

(A) The owner or manager of a Trichomoniasis Infected male Bovine shall apply a V Brand on the Trichomoniasis Infected male Bovine within seven days of notification of a positive T. foetus PCR Test result, and before it may leave the Quarantined premises; and

(B) Bovine leaving the Quarantined premises must be accompanied with a VS Form 1-27.

(ii) Any Trichomoniasis Infected male Bovine must be either:

(A) Slaughtered on the premises for the owner or manager’s use;

(B) With the State Veterinarian’s written approval, euthanized and disposed of;

(C) Directly Moved to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment;

(D) Directly Moved to a Designated Feedlot or Approved Livestock Market followed by Direct Movement to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment; or

(E) If none of these options are feasible, moved or disposed of as directed by the State Veterinarian.

(iii) Following removal of all Trichomoniasis Infected male Bovine, all remaining male Bovine in an Infected Herd Unit shall be held under Quarantine until the conditions set forth in Section 8(b) and (c) for Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine are met.

(f) If the owner or manager of a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine chooses to euthanize or slaughter it on the premises, the owner or manager must submit proof of euthanasia or slaughter to the State Veterinarian.

Section 8. Test Requirements for Trichomoniasis Exposed Male Bovine.

(a) Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine shall be Quarantined until the test requirements outlined in this section are met and the results are reported to the State Veterinarian. T. foetus PCR Test results performed on Pooled Sample tests cannot be used for compliance with this section.

(b) One T. foetus PCR Test is required on all Test Eligible Male Bovine that have had fence line contact with a Trichomoniasis Infected Male Bovine or Herd Unit. The test must be completed within 60 days of notification unless otherwise approved by the State Veterinarian.

(c) Two T. foetus PCR Tests are required on all Test Eligible Male Bovine that have commingled with a Trichomoniasis Infected Male Bovine or Herd Unit. The first test must be conducted on the Test Eligible Male Bovine after a minimum of 14 days of sexual rest. The second test must be conducted within 7 to 21 days of the first test.

(d) Following a risk evaluation of the Trichomoniasis Exposed Herd Unit, the State Veterinarian may approve an exemption from the testing requirements. Any untested Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine must be either:

(i) Directly Moved to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment;

(ii) Directly Moved to a Designated Feedlot or Approved Livestock Market followed by Direct Movement to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment;

(iii) Slaughtered on the premises for the owner or manager’s use; or

(iv) If none of these options are feasible, moved or disposed of as directed by the State Veterinarian.

Unless the State Veterinarian directs otherwise, the owner or manager of an untested Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine shall apply a V Brand on the Trichomoniasis Exposed male Bovine before it may leave the Quarantined premises. Bovine leaving the Quarantined premises must be accompanied with a VS Form 1-27, if required by the State Veterinarian.

Section 9. Female Bovine Subject to Quarantine.

(a) Any non-virgin female Bovine in an Infected Herd Unit shall be held under Quarantine at the premises.

(i) The State Veterinarian may release a female Bovine from Quarantine if one of the following conditions is met:

(A) The female Bovine has had no male Bovine exposure for 120 days;

(B) The female Bovine has been diagnosed at least 120 days pregnant by a Wyoming licensed veterinarian; or

(C) The female Bovine has a calf at her side and has had no exposure to male Bovine other than known negative T. foetus male Bovine since parturition.

(ii) Quarantined female Bovine may be:

(A) Directly Moved to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment;

(B) Directly Moved to a Designated Feedlot;

(C) V-branded (unless the State Veterinarian approves an exemption) and Directly Moved to a Wyoming Approved Livestock Market and then Directly Moved to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment or a Designated Feedlot for terminal feeding; or

(D) Sold and Directly Moved to a Designated Feedlot.

(b) The Infected Herd Unit owner or manager shall assist the State Veterinarian in determining the destination of all non-virgin female Bovine that the owner or manager sold during the 12 months prior to the diagnosis of Trichomoniasis. The State Veterinarian shall make reasonable efforts to notify the recipients of these Bovine unless the State Veterinarian can verify that the female Bovine was diagnosed at least 120 days pregnant by a Wyoming licensed veterinarian.

Section 10. Unauthorized Commingling.

(a) Male Bovine used for recreational or exhibition purposes shall remain under confinement at the recreational or exhibition premises and shall not be allowed to commingle with female Bovine.

(b) If a male Bovine escapes confinement or breaches a fence and commingles with another owner or manager’s Bovine, the State Veterinarian may require the offending male Bovine to be tested once with a T. foetus PCR Test. The test, if required, shall not be on Pooled Samples. The owner or manager of the offending male Bovine shall bear all costs for a required T. foetus PCR Test.

(c) The owner or manager of the affected Bovine shall verify that the offending male Bovine commingled with his Bovine by providing photos, individual identification, or any other relevant information to the State Veterinarian. These documents shall be sent electronically unless the State Veterinarian approves another method.

(d) The owner or manager of the affected Bovine shall contact the owner or manager of the offending male Bovine and the State Veterinarian within 30 days of the breach to request that the offending male Bovine be tested.

(e) The State Veterinarian shall monitor the status of the situation and ensure that the owner of the offending animals complies with this rule.