The Michigan Departments of Agriculture (MDA), Natural Resources (DNR), Community Health (DCH) and Michigan State University (MSU) will each receive funds to conduct enhanced program activities, Bender said.

"MDA staff has worked diligently with USDA, APHIS on behalf of the project partners to acquire these funds," said Dr. Reed Macarty, USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge. "Now the work begins and we look forward to the results."

MDA projects, under the agreement, include a two-year pilot project to establish Livestock Electronic Identification (ID) in cattle herds in Northeast Lower Michigan. Additionally, any livestock in a federally accredited dairy herd in Michigan will have the Electronic ID tag; and the Gamma-Interferon test pilot project, which will use 20,000 blood samples to determine if this test could replace the Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (CCT) test. Gamma-Interferon test will require less animal handling and results are projected to be available in considerably less time than the CCT test results, which are not available for 72 hours. MDA will receive approximately $1.8 million for these two programs.

USDA APHIS awarded $500,00 in assistance to DNR for wildlife surveillance testing. Approximately 26,000 deer will be tested this fall for bovine TB. An additional $20,000 was granted for the printing of the Bovine TB in Michigan wildlife brochure. The brochure will be distributed to hunters and wildlife enthusiasts throughout Michigan.

DCH will receive approximately $23,000 in grant monies from USDA APHIS for administrative support to enhance their epidemiological efforts to evaluate the human health risks associated with bovine TB in Michigan.

MSU has two projects that will be funded by USDA APHIS, the first is to provide training and information to veterinarians and technicians on proper cattle handling skills and techniques. Although most veterinarians and producers are comfortable with the animals they work with, recent research demonstrates a significant gap between the existing level of animal handling skills and cattle psychology. The $25,000 designated for this project will result in the training of 150 veterinarians, extension agents and animal handling staff. In addition 200 producers will receive information on improved animal handling techniques.

The second MSU project will focus on farm families and the stress of dealing with financial loss and the loss of the animals that they have cared for. This $75,000 will help MSU staff develop materials to support families facing the economical and psychological hardships of having bovine TB positive animals.