[timesarechanging]

I was wondering about Wisconsin livestock laws. I came across this form: https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/PremisesRegistrationApp.pdf

Somebody told me that if we own livestock, that you must register with the state with the types of animals, numbers of each, etc. Can somebody please shed some light on this?

Thanks

 

[SouthOfTheSaltFork]

Not sure what the specifics in Wisconsin are, but this type thing is what was left over after the big push about 10 years ago for the NAIS (national animal identification system) where the Feds tried to make it the mandatory law of the land. As far as I know, here in Oklahoma, all that's left of it is that you have to be registered and have scrapie tags for sheep and goats that you take to the sale barn or transport across state lines. I would definitely do my own in depth research and not just go by what someone said before I chose to fill out any type of premise registration.

 

[timesarechanging]

@Tabletophomestead... Thank you! Right now, we just have some poultry animals for personal use. But I try to not get myself in trouble too much with the government if I can avoid it

I thought this might have something to do with NAIS too. Looking into it a bit, I thought people here might be a good place to start. There are a lot of people with more experience than me!

Anyway, I am mulling over the idea of expanding and getting into larger livestock for more than just for myself. Which would be a whole new ballgame. I have some opportunities with land setup for this purpose and I used to love working with cattle as a teenager on a friend's farm. I'll probably have a lot more questions on the forum before it is all said and done!

If anyone produces livestock commercially in Wisconsin, I would love to hear from you as well! Sometimes, [lack of understanding of the implications of] government regulation is the biggest hindrance to me getting started in something like this.

[Edited as I found new information]
It appears that pretty much any livestock on the property requires a registration:
http://www.tosalawyers.com/document...emises Registration Questions and Answers.pdf

 

[law573]

My take on this is that you need to register your premises and list the types of animals kept. I don't see fee information which is very surprising for Wisconsin. Is this a free registration?

 

[mudclub]

Here in Indiana, it goes back further. About 20 years ago, I do not remember which agency, started mandating all kinds of requirements regarding our manure management plans. If you had over a given number of animals on your farm, you were required to fill out the forms. I am thinking it was 500 hogs and at the time we had around 750. I had the choice of complying or cutting back the number I had on hand. I decided that was the final straw and got out all together.
Now we do have a few goats and to be able to sell them we are registered and must ear tag them for the scabies requirement. It is easy enough to get registered and the state sends free tags, pre-labeled with our farm number on them.

 

[THern]

Huh. I wonder how much that's enforced. I know a few people who have goats and a few more with chickens, and I am pretty sure none of them have jumped through that hoop.

 

[A_SonofLiberty]

Good to know. Indiana and Wisconsin definitely off my list of potential locations to settle down in.

 

[xaunloc]

I would definitely do my own in depth research and not just go by what someone said before I chose to fill out any type of premise registration.

Since the form includes a citation of the specific Wisconsin law that makes (made?) the information mandatory, it should be hard to research. (Hint: Google is your friend)

95.51  Livestock premises registration

 

[timesarechanging]

It appears that there is no fee for this in Wisconsin (But then again, the fee might not come in money, instead it comes in the possibility of some future agency using the information to pick on small scale agricultural operations).

Part of me says, if I am just doing small scale agriculture, it is none of their business. The other part of me kind of does not want to get fined for something stupid like this. I'll have to see what others in the area do. If no one registers, it would be easier just not to do it. But, if it is pretty much universal, I do not feel like being the odd one out either.

In any case, I would not discourage "freedom loving" folks from moving to WI. There is a lot of beautiful and somewhat unregulated lands. The towns (which most people call townships elsewhere), have very limited powers. Get away from the urban cores and it is beautiful and undeveloped. Not perfect, but a good place to be.

 

[swamppapa]

Not sure what the specifics in Wisconsin are, but this type thing is what was left over after the big push about 10 years ago for the NAIS (national animal identification system) where the Feds tried to make it the mandatory law of the land. As far as I know, here in Oklahoma, all that's left of it is that you have to be registered and have scrapie tags for sheep and goats that you take to the sale barn or transport across state lines. I would definitely do my own in depth research and not just go by what someone said before I chose to fill out any type of premise registration.

This.
The fed wanted to RFID tag every single animal including fowl some chicken farms have 20,000- 100,000 chickens, not to mention sheep, goats, swine, cattle, turkeys, ducks,geese all the exotics peafowl, guineas,quail,pheasants, and so on and so forth.
The processing industry started researching removing the capsule during processing a no came to the conclusion that it was impractical to find a grain of rice in the back of a chicken much less a 1200 pound steer.

 

[Mule Skinner]

Does my cat count?

He's unregistered livestock ...