Welcome to the Minnesota Beef Expo!

Please review all cattle health and ID requirements listed below.
  1. Health regulations: All animals will be inspected by the official veterinarian the opening day of the exhibition and daily during the exhibition. The official veterinarian will order the immediate removal to a quarantine facility or removal from the exhibition premises of any animal showing clinical signs of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease, including ringworm and warts.
    1. Any animal showing evidence of any disease, abscesses, or any open contagious lesions will not be allowed to exhibit or show and will be subject to isolation or expulsion at the discretion of the official veterinarian.
      1. Suspected illness. If illness of any nature is suspected in any animal, the animal is subject to examination by the official veterinarian and owner or exhibitor of the animal must abide by the decision of the official veterinarian.
      2. Infectious, contagious or communicable disease. Animals known by the exhibitor to have an infectious, contagious or communicable disease, or to have been exposed to an infectious, contagious or communicable disease, or know to originate from a quarantined flock or herd may not be entered in exhibition.
      3. Animals with warts or ringworm may not be shown. A statement from a veterinarian that an animal is being treated for these diseases will not be accepted.
    2. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
      1. Cattle from Minnesota. Not required.
      2. Cattle from outside Minnesota. Required. CVI is valid for 30 days from the date the animals were inspected by an accredited veterinarian.
        1. Must list the Minnesota State Fair as consignee and will be accepted if examination and an import permit number is documented on the CVI. Cattle documented on an electronically issued CVI that is available to the Board in the original electronic format within 24 hours of issuance and complies with the Minnesota Administrative Rule 1721.0040 do not require an import permit.
        2. Must meet the Minnesota Importation requirements. See bah.state.mn.us/imports/, or call the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at 651-296-2942.
        3. Must meet the importation requirements of their state of origin if they are returning.
  2. Cattle Identification (ID). The goal of these ID requirements is to uniquely identify animals so they may be traced to their source in the event of a disease outbreak.
    1. The goal of these ID requirements is to uniquely identify animals so they may be traced to their source in the event of a disease outbreak. Please list the Minnesota Board of Animal Health website (http://bah.state.mn.us/official-id/) or USDA’s website for pictures of official ear tags and more information.
      1. Official identification. May not be removed from an animal once it is applied. Individuals must be officially identified; the following are considered official.
      2. Tags applied on or after November 5, 2024, must be visually AND electronically readable.
        1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) using the Animal Identification Number (AIN) System. Consists of 15 digits beginning with the official country code – ‘840’ for the United States
        2. National Uniform Ear-tagging System (NUES) tags only if applied prior to November 5, 2024. Beginning with the official state number – ’41’ for Minnesota
          1.  In compliance with federal law, metal NUES tags must display the U.S. shield if applied otherwise the animal on March 11, 2015 or after.
        3. American Identification Number. Combines ‘USA’ with 8 or 9 digits.
          1. In compliance with federal law, these tags are only official if applied to the animal prior to March 11, 2015.
          2. Includes the National Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR). Administered by Holstein Association USA, Inc.
        4. Breed Registry Tattoos and Tags.