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September Preparedness Month

August 31, 2012

September marks the ten year anniversary of 9/11. As we take time to remember those lost in the attacks, we need to make time to prepare for future emergencies. September is National Preparedness Month. This is the moment to protect you and your family from the unexpected.

Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. From severe weather like tornados and winter storms, to train derailments and other disasters, Wisconsin sees it all. To learn more about the resources available, go to the Ready Wisconsin web site.

H3N2v Advisory from Wisconsin State Veterinarian

August 21, 2012

Wisconsin now has four confirmed cases of Variant H3N2 influenza, which makes it essential that the State Veterinarian underscore the importance of taking precautionary measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.

For more details on this situation and advise on how to control the spread of H3N2v, go to the H3N2v page at DATCP.

Governor Walker Expands Drought Emergency to Entire State as Conditions Worsen

July 18, 2012

Governor Scott Walker declared a state of emergency in all 72 Wisconsin counties due to the abnormally dry conditions extending across most of the state.

"Wisconsin families, businesses and farmers are hurting as a result of this drought," said Gov. Walker. "The increase in wildfires due to the combined lack of rain and high temperatures is adding to the risk of major economic losses, especially in agriculture. This is a time of crisis for many people, and we will utilize whatever resources are necessary to help."

For complete details on this declaration, go to the news release.

USDA Announces Streamlined Disaster Designation Process with Lower Emergency Loan Rates and Greater CRP Flexibility in Disaster Areas

July 11, 2012

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a package of program improvements that will deliver faster and more flexible assistance to farmers and ranchers devastated by natural disasters. Vilsack announced three significant improvements to decades-old USDA programs and processes related to Secretarial disaster designations: a final rule that simplifies the process for Secretarial disaster designations and will result in a 40 percent reduction in processing time for most counties affected by disasters; a reduced interest rate for emergency loans that effectively lowers the current rate from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent; and a payment reduction on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands qualified for emergency haying and grazing in 2012, from 25 to 10 percent.

For complete details on this declaration, go to the news release.

Governor Walker Declares Drought Emergency, Encourages Farmers to Report Crop Condition

July 9, 2012

Governor Scott Walker today declared a state of emergency in 42 Wisconsin counties due to drought or abnormally dry conditions, allowing expedited permits for farmers to temporarily use stream or lake water for irrigation.

"The lack of rainfall since May in the southern half of the state has hit hard in a crucial part of the growing season," Governor Walker said. "Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service reports this week that most of the land in these counties is short or very short of soil moisture, and this week's U.S. Drought Monitor for the first time reported the southern tiers of Wisconsin counties to be in drought.”

For complete details on this declaration, go to the news release.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Found in a Dairy Cow from central California

April 24, 2012

As part of our targeted surveillance system, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the nation's fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a dairy cow from central California.

For more details on this situation, go to the BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or Mad Cow Disease) Information Center.

Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Spring Conference

March 30, 2012

The Medical Reserve Corps Statewide Spring Conference for the Wisconsin Animal Response Corps will take place on May 11 and 12 in Wausau. Veterinary and animal related topics will be offered on Friday, May 11. Incident command system and disasters will be discussed on Saturday, May 12. This conference is a good educational opportunity for county agriculture agents to become knowledgeable about threats to livestock and the role of animal rescue response in disasters

To learn more about this conference, go to the conference brochure for further details.