Members of the state's largest cattle producers advocacy group approved a new resolution to support legislation or regulations that would make premises registration for disease control purposes mandatory. Most states, including Kansas, have been working toward voluntary registration but have struggled to reach 10 percent compliance.

David Cross, a rancher from Edwards County and the newly elected president of the organization, said Kansas and the United States are falling behind other countries in getting premises and individual animals identified.

Another new resolution passed by the organization during its recent annual convention in Wichita supports asking for state or federal funds to control and eradicate wild pigs in Kansas.

A third resolution of the membership supports requiring all Mexican-origin cattle, with the exception of those in licensed feed yards, to be tested for tuberculosis. Kansas has long held TB-free status, and producers would sustain significant additional expense should an outbreak occur in Kansas.

Source:The Wichita Eagle