The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), in collaboration with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC), is urging livestock owners to renew and update their premises registration. According to state law, all livestock owners must register the locations where their animals are kept. Current registrants are required to renew their premises registration by July 31, 2025.

Registrants can contact WLIC for renewal. Email notifications have been sent by DATCP to those registered, while individuals without email addresses will receive a letter this spring. The number of animals does not affect the requirement for registration, which is free of charge. The information collected helps DATCP respond quickly to animal disease outbreaks, safeguarding animal health, food supply, public safety, and Wisconsin's agricultural economy. "Registrant information is never shared or sold commercially," according to DATCP.

Registration is necessary for various locations such as farms, hobby farms, backyard poultry flocks, veterinary clinics with large animal facilities, stables, livestock exhibitions, markets and feedlots, dealers and haulers keeping livestock on their property, slaughterhouses, rendering plants, dead animal facilities and any other site where livestock congregate.

Renewal of registration is mandated every three years. Registrants should review their renewal form details and provide updates to WLIC if they continue housing livestock or report changes if they no longer do so.

New location registrations can be initiated through DATCP's website. Non-compliance with premises registration may lead to fines and loss of eligibility for state indemnity payments if animals are condemned due to disease exposure.

Livestock owners have several options for registering new premises or renewing existing ones: following instructions from an email directing them online; visiting https://wiid.org/premises-registration-renewal/; calling WLIC at (888) 808-1910; or downloading and mailing a paper application or returning the renewal form.

Confirmation will be provided once registrations or renewals are processed. Premises ID numbers might be needed by certain municipalities or organizations.

"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," along with migrating waterfowl like pigeons and exotic birds raised in captivity such as bison llamas "and other South American camelids;" ratites like emus ostriches "and farm-raised fish."