The oklahoma department of agriculture, food, and forestry will increase preparedness to respond to high-consequence transboundary animal disease outbreaks effectively and cohesively for tribal…

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry a cooperative agreement valued at $135,041 (Award Date: September 1, 2025; Completion Date: August 31, 2027) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The award funds a comprehensive preparedness initiative designed to strengthen Oklahoma's capacity to respond to high-consequence transboundary animal disease outbreaks affecting tribal agricultural communities, domestic livestock operations, and tribal, state, and federal bison herds throughout the state.

The primary products and services delivered include in-person training programs and tabletop exercises with mock disease scenarios targeting a broad stakeholder base including tribal and inter-tribal agricultural leaders, emergency management and law enforcement personnel, veterinarians, animal response volunteers, livestock and bison herd managers, and supporting agencies. The initiative will establish baseline knowledge of critical disease response activities and enhance biosecurity protocols for integration into herd management plans. Participants will benefit from networking opportunities and knowledge exchange specific to bison husbandry practices, with particular focus on preparedness strategies for foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks and other foreign animal disease (FAD) threats. The cooperative agreement emphasizes coordinated local, county, state, tribal, and federal involvement to develop cohesive response capabilities and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in biosecurity practices across Oklahoma's agricultural sectors.

The oklahoma department of agriculture, food, and forestry will increase preparedness to respond to high-consequence transboundary animal disease outbreaks effectively and cohesively for tribal agricultural communities with domestic livestock and tribal, state and federal preserves with bison herds in oklahoma. The project will include local, county, state, tribal, and federal involvement to eradicate FAD threats and prepare for disease events. The in-person training and tabletop exercises with mock scenarios will focus on developing a baseline understanding of the critical response activities after confirmation of disease. Training will be directed to tribal and inter-tribal stakeholders, local, county, state and federal emergency management and law enforcement, regulatory and accredited veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, animal response volunteers, producers, tribal, state, and federal bison herd managers, and other supporting agencies in oklahoma. Participants will benefit by learning enhanced biosecurity protocols that can be implemented into their herd management plans for both immediate implementation and in times of increased threat. IT will provide opportunities to mitigate potential weaknesses in enhanced biosecurity practices. Participants will have the opportunity to network and exchange management practices unique to bison husbandry in peacetime and formulate strategies for bison management during periods of increased threat or in the event of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.