Livestock owners need to renew their premises
Every livestock owner is asked to renew and update their livestock premises registration.
Livestock in Wisconsin includes cattle and other bovine animals; swine; poultry; sheep; goats; horses and other equine animals; farm-raised deer and other cervids; gamebirds including pheasants, quail, wild turkeys, migrating waterfowl, pigeons and exotic birds raised in captivity; bison; llamas and other South American camelids; ratites, such as emus and ostriches; and farm-raised fish.
State law requires that all livestock owners register where their animals are kept and current registrants must renew their premises registration by July 31.
All registrants should have received email registration notifications from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP); however, registrants without email addresses will receive a letter this spring.
Livestock owners must register their premises, regardless of the number of animals they keep. There is no cost to register.
The DATCP uses the information to rapidly respond to animal disease outbreaks to protect animal health, the food supply, public safety and Wisconsin’s agriculture economy. Registrant information is never shared or sold commercially.
Examples of locations that require registration include farms and hobby farms; backyard poultry flocks; veterinary clinics, with large animal hospital facilities; stables; livestock exhibitions, markets and feedlots; dealers and haulers that keep livestock on their property; slaughter, rendering and dead animal facilities; and any other location where livestock is kept or congregated.
Registration renewal is required every three years. By reviewing the information on the renewal form and providing any updates to the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC), current registrants can renew their premises registration or, as required, report that they no longer house livestock.
Those who need to register a new location, can find more information at datcp.wi.gov. Failing to register a premises can result in fines and ineligibility for state indemnity payments, if animals are condemned, because of disease exposure.
Registrants will receive confirmation once their registration or renewal is processed. Premises ID numbers may be required by certain municipalities, organizations and/or fairs.
