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NORTH DAKOTA BEEF CATTLE ANTHRAX
CASES INCREASE
There are now 16 premises The response has been a
affected by anthrax in south- coordinated effort by multi-
west North Dakota; 15 labo- ple entities on the state and
ratory-confirmed cases and local level, including health
one probable case based on care experts, emergency
clinical signs. One confirmed management, NDSU Exten-
case is in eastern Hettinger sion, environmental and dis-
County with the remaining posal personnel, as well as
cases in Grant County. The other producers and county
cases were confirmed by the officials.
North Dakota State Univer- “While typically only a few
sity Veterinary Diagnostic anthrax cases are reported
Laboratory. in North Dakota every year,
“The cases are a remind- it can cause devastating loss-
er to livestock producers es in affected herds,” Agri-
throughout the state to take culture Commissioner Doug
action to protect their ani- Goehring said. “Weather and
mals from the disease, espe- soil conditions have contrib-
cially in areas with a past uted to the number of cases
history of anthrax,” State we’re seeing this year.”
Veterinarian Dr. Ethan An- Anthrax is caused by the
dress said. “Producers in bacteria Bacillus anthracis.
the affected area have been The bacterial spores can lie
working with veterinarians dormant in the ground for
to vaccinate and treat ani- decades and become active
mals. Veterinarians are re- under ideal conditions, such
porting that the vaccination as heavy rainfall, flooding,
and treatment protocols are and drought. Animals are
extremely effective.” exposed to the disease when
Conditions are right for they graze or consume forage
anthrax in many areas of or water contaminated with
the state. Producers should the spores.
monitor their herds for un-
explained deaths and work North Dakota
with their veterinarian to Department of
ensure appropriate samples Agriculture
are collected and submitted
to a diagnostic lab to give the
best chance of obtaining a
diagnosis. Vaccines must be
given annually for continued
protection.
The Midwest Cattleman · August 24, 2023 · P12
NCBA SEEKS MEMBER INPUT ON DEATH TAX
NCBA is conducting a sur- tailing issues with the death
vey to gather information tax and highlighting some of
from members on the impact the problems members have
the federal estate tax, also faced with other sections of
known as the death tax, and the tax code. Since cattle pro-
other tax provisions have ducers face different tax bur-
had on their estate planning dens than the average Amer-
and business operations. ican family, these stories will
While some cattle producers help show Congress once
received relief from the es- again how burdensome the
tate tax and certain business estate tax can be to farmers
tax provisions secured in the and ranchers.
2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, The member survey will
that reprieve is not perma- remain open through the end
nent. Beginning in 2026, only of 2023, with the informa-
estates valued at less than tion collected being used by
$5 million (adjusted for infla- the association to advocate
tion) will be exempt from the for tax relief over the next
federal estate tax, exposing two years leading up to the
many producers to a great- scheduled tax hikes. If you
er risk of facing the 40% tax. have any questions or would
Likewise, many of the busi- be willing to share your story,
ness tax provisions NCBA please contact Kent Bacus at
advocated for in 2017 are set kbacus@beef.org.
to expire at the end of 2025.
In addition to participation NCBA
in the survey, NCBA also is
seeking personal stories de-