By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Just around the corner is the time farm youth will load up their prize livestock hoping to be winners at state, county, 4-H and FFA fairs. To prevent animals from spreading disease, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) hopes exhibitors will register their livestock prior to the shows.

This is not a requirement, just a hope of cooperation, according to the IDOA. The department is offering premium books, which specify the rules and regulations for various fair competitions. In this book, it reiterates that participation in the national animal health program is strictly voluntary.

“Premises registration is voluntary to exhibit livestock (beef, dairy, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits) at the Illinois State Fair/county fairs,” according to the premium book.

“We’re working with livestock groups on a compromise to this issue, and everyone I’ve talked to has suggested that additional education and outreach is needed,” said acting IDOA Director Tom Jennings.

“This decision will enable such efforts to continue while we work on an agreement that everyone can live with.”

This is a bit of a turn around. The IDOA has withdrawn its original requirement for all exhibitors to have premise ID numbers to compete at livestock shows at county fairs. Still, the IDOA is still recommending livestock show contestants comply with the request.
“A premises registration number is like a 911 address for animals,” Jennings said. “Without a doubt, having that information in a searchable, electronic database would strengthen our disease-fighting capabilities, especially at high-risk events like fairs where large numbers of animals are confined for short periods of time and then moved.”

The IDOA warns that while disease outbreak can’t be predicted, it can impact every segment of animal agriculture.

For those who decide to comply with the IDOA’s request to register, they will receive a seven-character alpha-numeric “identifier code” for the farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or other site where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed. A registration form can be found online at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid

Exhibitors who register online will receive a premises registration number immediately. An application may also be obtained by calling 866-299-9256. By mail, registrations may take up to four weeks.

Premium books will be available in early May. They can be accessed online at www.illinoisstatefair.info