| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE February 22, 2006 |
TDA CONTACT: Tom Womack |
TDA, UT Partner to Expand Animal Diagnostic Services
East Tennessee Cattle Farmers to Benefit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine today announced a partnership to expand free post-mortem animal diagnostic services to cattle farmers in East Tennessee. The new service, available now, is expected to enhance the state’s surveillance for all cattle diseases, including foreign animal and emerging diseases that could be devastating to Tennessee’s animal industries.
“In this age of emerging animal diseases and high stakes for our health, environment and economy, it’s important that we be vigilant to protect our agricultural industry,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “As the flagship of animal health in East Tennessee, the College of Veterinary Medicine is a key partner and presents a great opportunity to extend this service to area farmers.”
The new partnership is funded through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, a $5 million appropriation proposed by Governor Phil Bredesen and supported by the Tennessee General Assembly last year to expand animal health programs and to build farm income in the state.
“With this program the State is providing an excellent opportunity to increase cattle submissions through the Veterinary College, thereby enhancing outreach to regional practitioners, improving our recognition of disease trends and furthering the education of senior students soon to join the ranks of veterinarians throughout Tennessee,” said Dr. Michael McEntee, UTCVM professor and Anatomic Pathology Section Chief. “We hope this represents the initial step in future development of a more comprehensive service that would encompass all domestic animal species in eastern Tennessee.”
Under the new program, the Agriculture Department will reimburse the veterinary college for necropsy (animal autopsy) examinations of cattle, making the service available to Tennessee farmers at no charge. Previously, free services were available only at the department’s C. E. Kord Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Nashville. Because of limited disposal options at the college, the free service is available initially for post-mortem cattle examinations only; however, fee-based services are still available to other animal owners.
According to Dr. Ron Wilson, State Veterinarian, it’s important that cattlemen work with their local private veterinarian in submitting samples for diagnosis. “Private veterinarians are a key component in disease detection and should be engaged in case management to ensure that only appropriate samples are submitted to increase the likelihood of a successful diagnosis.”
The Department of Agriculture is also partnering with the University of Tennessee at Martin to renovate facilities for the operation of a diagnostic laboratory that will provide private veterinarians and animal owners in West Tennessee better access to diagnostic services, including cattle necropsies. Expanded services at UTM are expected to be available in sometime in 2007.
For more information about the State’s animal diagnostic services, contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s office at (615) 837-5120, or in East Tennessee, contact the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine at (865) 974-5673.
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This and other news from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can be found online at Tennessee.gov/agriculture/news