Livestock Biosecurity Requirements in Tennessee Every Producer Must Know

Tennessee’s livestock industry is a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural economy, and protecting it starts with one fundamental responsibility: biosecurity. In today’s interconnected world, the movement of animals and animal products across farms, states, and countries increases the need for strong disease prevention measures. Whether you raise cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, or goats, understanding and following Tennessee’s biosecurity requirements is not optional — it is the difference between a healthy operation and a devastating outbreak.

This guide walks you through every major biosecurity obligation Tennessee livestock producers face, from registering your premises and isolating new animals to managing visitors, controlling wildlife, and disposing of carcasses lawfully. Use it as a practical compliance reference alongside guidance from your herd veterinarian and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).

What Is Livestock Biosecurity and Why It Matters in Tennessee

Biosecurity is a set of practices designed to prevent disease introduction and control the spread of infectious agents on farms. In practical terms, it covers everything from how you handle incoming animals to how you clean your boots after walking between pens. Livestock biosecurity involves a series of proactive measures designed to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, including new animal quarantine protocols, safe livestock drinking water treatment, and overall farm hygiene — all with the primary goal of ensuring animal health and welfare, which directly impacts your farm’s productivity and profitability.

Tennessee has particular reason to take biosecurity seriously. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was reported in nine different flocks in Tennessee in recent years, the first case of Theileria orientalis ikeda was detected in a cattle herd in the summer of 2022, and three horses tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia in 2021. The impending arrival of African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease into the United States leaves livestock producers facing an ongoing threat of animal diseases with little to no options for treatment.

The first line of defense is consistent biosecurity practices and a tailored plan for implementation during a disease outbreak. Beyond protecting your own herd, strong biosecurity also satisfies regulatory requirements enforced by the TDA’s Animal Health Division and aligns with federal Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) standards. It ensures adherence to local and international livestock biosecurity regulations, avoiding potential fines and legal complications, and prevents the spread of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans.

You can also review how other states approach related animal health obligations by checking out resources on livestock disease reporting in Florida and livestock disease reporting in Colorado for comparison.

Premises Registration and Identification Requirements in Tennessee

Before you can participate in interstate animal movement or purchase official identification tags, your farm must be registered in the national premises system. A premises identification number (PIN) or location identifier (LID) is a unique code permanently assigned to a physical location and is required to purchase official animal identification tags, and each state administers PIN or LID registration. In Tennessee, you register your premises through the TDA using the Tennessee Premises Registration Form available on the TDA website.

Premises registration is the foundation of Tennessee’s participation in the USDA Animal Disease Traceability program. Current and impending disease threats have led to increased demand for Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) efforts from producers, industry, and foreign partners alike — ADT is the mechanism by which the United States tracks and traces animal diseases through the animal agriculture population. Without a registered premises, you cannot obtain the official ear tags required for interstate movement of covered livestock.

On the animal identification side, Tennessee enforces species-specific requirements:

• Cattle and bison moving interstate — The USDA final rule (effective November 5, 2024) requires eartags to be visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official animal identification for the interstate movement of certain classes of cattle and bison. Tennessee producers and veterinarians can order free EID tags by calling or emailing the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s office.
• Dairy and breeding cattle transported into Tennessee — All dairy and breeding cattle transported into or through the state of Tennessee, regardless of age and origin, must be officially, individually identified by permanent means such as a coded metal ear tag, RFID device, registration tattoo, registration hot brand, registration freeze brand, or other official means.
• Equine — Equine shall have permanent, individual, animal identification in the form of a unique lip tattoo, brand, electronic implant, or digital photograph, which must be incorporated into the permit.
• Swine — Swine moving through a licensed livestock market must be identified with USDA-approved metal tags or other identification approved by the state veterinarian.
• All covered interstate livestock — The ADT rule requires all livestock, including cattle, equine, sheep and goats, swine and poultry, being moved interstate to be officially identified, unless specifically exempted.

Records of animal identification and movement must be maintained meticulously. Records must be sent to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture electronically or via postal mail. You should also maintain on-farm logs that include the species, number, age, sex, breed, consignee, consignor, and origin and destination of animals.

Biosecurity Plan Requirements in Tennessee

Tennessee does not mandate a single universal biosecurity plan template for all producers, but the TDA strongly encourages every operation to develop and maintain a written, farm-specific plan. Thanks to a USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program grant, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has created videos featuring local producers and educators that cover key biosecurity concepts and show how farms implement their plans during outbreaks. Resource links are also available to help farmers develop a biosecurity program, including links to secure food supply plans and other helpful materials.

The TDA’s resource library points producers toward species-specific Secure Supply Plans — including the Secure Beef Supply Plan, Secure Milk Supply Plan, Secure Pork Supply Plan, and Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan — each of which provides a framework for maintaining continuity during a disease emergency such as a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. Using these frameworks to build your written biosecurity plan is strongly advisable.

At a minimum, your biosecurity plan should address the following elements:

1. Farm map and access control points — Identify entry and exit routes, animal housing areas, and designated clean/dirty zones.
2. Animal movement and isolation protocols — Define quarantine periods and procedures for all incoming animals.
3. Cleaning and disinfection schedules — Specify approved disinfectants and frequency for pens, equipment, and vehicles.
4. Visitor and personnel protocols — Outline footwear, clothing, and sanitation requirements for all people entering animal areas.
5. Disease monitoring and reporting procedures — Establish how you will identify, document, and report suspected illness to your veterinarian and the TDA.
6. Emergency response steps — Detail how you will respond to a suspected or confirmed disease outbreak, including quarantine and notification procedures.

Continuously evaluate and update your biosecurity plan to reflect changes in farm operations, new health information, or emerging risks — a comprehensive biosecurity plan is not a static document, but a strategy that adapts to your livestock production.

Producers should develop and implement a biosecurity plan and complete a regular review of their farm’s biosecurity practices that focus both on cattle and human health and safety. Proactive implementation of biosecurity measures could reduce the risk of a disease outbreak in your herd, along with its negative economic impact, and protect animal agriculture in the state.

Animal Isolation and Movement Control Requirements in Tennessee

Controlling when, where, and how animals move on and off your property is one of the most effective biosecurity tools available. Regardless of the livestock species, the most common way contagious diseases are introduced is by adding animals to the herd, typically replacement breeding stock. Tennessee regulations and best practices both address this risk directly.

Isolation of incoming animals is a non-negotiable first step. Any animal arriving on your property — whether purchased, borrowed, or returning from a show — should be physically separated from your resident herd for a minimum of 21 to 30 days. During this period, monitor the animal daily for signs of illness, keep it in a separate facility with its own feed and water equipment, and avoid sharing tools between the isolated animal and your main herd.

Do not cross-use shovels, feed buckets, brushes, or other equipment between the isolated animal and other livestock. Ensure workers clean their hands and boots and change clothes prior to entering other areas.

For animals moving off your farm to shows, sales, or other events, Tennessee has specific requirements:

• Dairy and breeding cattle transported into or through Tennessee must be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary inspection.
• Feeder cattle transported into or through Tennessee shall be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary inspection; individual animal identification is not required, provided that all animals are identified as to breed, sex, and average age and/or weight, according to the number of head in the shipment.
• Slaughter cattle transported into, within, or through the state of Tennessee shall be accompanied by a transportation document.
• Livestock must be accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.

At livestock shows and exhibitions, the risk of disease transmission intensifies. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Animal Health Division launched the “Know Before You Show” campaign to remind livestock exhibitors, families, and fair and exposition managers that simple biosecurity steps can prevent the spread of disease and protect Tennessee’s livestock industry. Livestock shows heighten disease transmission risks by gathering animals from various farms, where illnesses can spread through direct contact, shared equipment, or human movement — common issues like pinkeye, warts, abscesses, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal conditions can spread rapidly without precautions.

No livestock known to be infected with or known to have been exposed to any contagious, infectious, or communicable animal disease or infestation shall be consigned to or sold through any livestock market. The TDA representative may inspect all livestock offered for sale and may prohibit the movement of any animals that in the representative’s opinion are diseased or that are likely to be carriers of disease, until final inspection is made by a qualified, accredited veterinarian.

You can find related movement documentation standards for other states in resources like livestock trailer requirements in Nevada and livestock trailer requirements in Pennsylvania.

Visitor, Vehicle, and Equipment Sanitation Rules in Tennessee

Human and vehicle traffic are among the most underappreciated disease vectors on any farm. Pathogens can travel on boots, clothing, tires, and shared equipment just as easily as they travel on animals themselves. Tennessee’s biosecurity standards — both regulatory and best-practice — address each of these pathways.

Visitor protocols should be established in writing and communicated before anyone enters your animal housing areas. Ask all visitors and service providers to employ biosecurity practices by contacting them before they arrive at the farm — signage may be helpful — and require them to use disposable footwear or completely disinfect their footwear, and utilize single-use coveralls or clean clothing that can be washed after a farm visit.

Clean and disinfect equipment and tools used on other farms prior to bringing them onto the farm, keep facilities well maintained and in good repair, and maintain up-to-date, accurate records for animal health (including vaccination, antimicrobial treatment, and surgical procedures), feed delivery, and cattle transportation.

For livestock trailers specifically, instructions must be given to the owner that the truck moving quarantined animals to slaughter or returning them to the original premises must be cleaned and disinfected before being used again to transport livestock. This cleaning requirement applies broadly whenever a vehicle has transported diseased or potentially exposed animals.

The TDA representative shall supervise the cleaning and disinfecting of yards and pens at livestock markets as necessary, using only those disinfectants approved by the animal disease eradication branch of the agricultural research service of the United States Department of Agriculture. On your own farm, you should use similarly approved disinfectants and maintain records of cleaning dates and products used.

If you transport animals yourself, see also livestock trailer requirements in Wisconsin for an example of how trailer sanitation obligations can vary by state.

Wildlife and Pest Control Obligations in Tennessee

Wild animals — including birds, rodents, deer, feral hogs, and predators — are significant disease vectors that can introduce pathogens to your herd without any direct human involvement. Diseases spread through contact with stray, domestic, or wildlife animals. Tennessee producers are expected to take reasonable measures to limit wildlife contact with their livestock as part of an effective biosecurity program.

Wild birds represent a particularly serious risk in Tennessee. Biosecurity is critical to prevent new introductions to a herd, as the virus can get from birds into cows. Understanding migratory patterns, especially in birds, is crucial for effective disease control — the migratory periods of rodents and birds play a significant role in the transmission of diseases. During peak migration seasons, increase monitoring and reinforce physical barriers between wild birds and feed, water, and animal housing areas.

Key wildlife and pest control measures Tennessee producers should implement include:

• Rodent control — Maintain an active rodent control program using traps or bait stations around feed storage and animal housing. Rodents contaminate feed and water and can spread diseases including leptospirosis and salmonella.
• Wild bird exclusion — Use netting, screens, and covered feeders to prevent wild birds from accessing poultry houses and feed storage areas. Utilize heavy-duty hardware cloth (not chicken wire), bury fencing at least 12 inches deep to deter diggers, and use overhead netting to comply with biosecurity recommendations regarding wild bird contact.
• Feral hog management — Feral hogs are a known vector for pseudorabies and other diseases. Report feral hog activity to the TDA and use perimeter fencing to reduce the risk of nose-to-nose contact with your swine.
• Predator deterrence — While predators such as coyotes and foxes are primarily a welfare and production concern, they can also spread rabies and other pathogens. Livestock guardian dogs are a proven, non-lethal deterrent used by many Tennessee producers.
• Feed and water security — Store feed in sealed, wildlife-proof containers. Contaminated feed or supplies introduce diseases when consumed or used, and drinking from or exposure to contaminated water sources can spread infections.

Under Tennessee law, dog owners are specifically liable for damages if their animal kills or injures poultry under Tennessee Code § 44-8-408. However, protection against wild predators like hawks, raccoons, and foxes remains the owner’s responsibility.

You can also review how Tennessee handles related animal health obligations in the context of rabies vaccine requirements in Tennessee, which intersects directly with wildlife exposure risks on livestock operations.

Dead Animal Disposal Requirements in Tennessee

Proper disposal of dead animals is both a biosecurity imperative and a legal obligation in Tennessee. Carcasses left on the ground attract wildlife and pests, contaminate soil and water, and can sustain pathogens that infect your remaining herd. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture administers the state’s Animal Disposal Policy, which governs how dead farm animals and offal must be handled.

Tennessee law and TDA guidance recognize several approved methods of dead animal disposal. Each method has specific requirements that producers must follow:

1. Burial — On-farm burial is permitted in Tennessee, but must be conducted in a location that does not risk contaminating groundwater or surface water. Carcasses should be buried at sufficient depth (typically a minimum of three feet of soil cover) and away from wells, streams, and drainage areas. Check with your county health department for any additional local restrictions.
2. Composting — Composting is an increasingly popular and environmentally sound option. Properly managed compost piles reach temperatures that destroy most pathogens. The TDA provides guidance on carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, pile construction, and monitoring requirements for on-farm composting of livestock carcasses.
3. Incineration — On-farm incineration using approved incinerators is permitted. You must comply with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) air quality regulations. Open burning of carcasses is generally prohibited.
4. Rendering — Contracting with a licensed rendering facility is an approved disposal method. Rendering converts carcasses into usable products and eliminates biosecurity risks. Maintain records of all rendering pickups, including dates, species, and quantities.
5. Licensed landfill — Disposal at a licensed solid waste facility that accepts animal carcasses is permitted when other on-farm methods are not feasible.

During a disease outbreak or when a reportable disease is suspected, standard disposal methods may not be sufficient. In those circumstances, contact the TDA Animal Health Division immediately. The state veterinarian’s office may require specific disposal methods to prevent pathogen spread, and you should not dispose of carcasses from a suspected disease event without explicit authorization and guidance from the TDA.

Maintain up-to-date, accurate records for animal health, including vaccination, antimicrobial treatment, and surgical procedures, as well as transportation records. Apply the same record-keeping discipline to carcass disposal — log the date, animal species, approximate weight, disposal method used, and the name of any contractor involved. These records may be requested during a disease investigation.

For additional context on how Tennessee handles broader animal health compliance, see the state’s animal-related licensing requirements and compare regional approaches with resources on livestock disease reporting in California.

Putting It All Together

Livestock biosecurity in Tennessee is not a single regulation — it is a layered system of state rules, federal requirements, and evidence-based best practices that work together to protect your animals, your operation, and the broader agricultural community. As Tennessee State Veterinarian Samantha Beaty has emphasized, “Everyone involved in Tennessee’s livestock and animal agriculture has a role in keeping diseases from spreading” — livestock shows and farm operations alike bring animals from many farms together, increasing the risk of contagious diseases spreading through direct animal contact, shared equipment, or human movement.

Your core obligations as a Tennessee livestock producer include registering your premises, properly identifying animals before interstate movement, developing and maintaining a written biosecurity plan, isolating incoming animals, controlling access by visitors and vehicles, managing wildlife and pest risks, and disposing of dead animals through approved methods. Meeting each of these requirements consistently is the most reliable way to keep your herd healthy and your operation in compliance.

For the most current requirements, always verify directly with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division at TN.Agriculture@tn.gov or 615-837-5103, and work closely with your accredited veterinarian when making decisions about animal movement, disease response, and biosecurity plan development.