The North Dakota Board of Animal Health has cracked down hard on the owners of a sale barn, dishing out $500 fines for each of 13 state law violations concerning the movement of livestock across state lines. The unanimous decision on Wednesday, Dec. 13, saw Seth Weishaar, the owner in the hot seat, hit with fines totaling $6,500 for bringing cattle into the state without the proper health certification and testing, although all but $500 was suspended. A stern warning accompanied the fines: any more slip-ups in the next three years, and Weishaar will face a hefty $5,000 fine per violation.

In a separate but equally concerning case, Bowman Livestock Marketing found itself in trouble after selling cattle from Wyoming's Buffalo Livestock Auction without the necessary certification. Co-owner Austin Snook, who also has stakes in the Wyoming auction, was under the impression the cattle were from North Dakota, a mix-up made worse by his vet clinic transition. The board didn't take the confusion lightly, fining Bowman Livestock Marketing $1,000, with $500 suspended, along with a three-year probation period.

The ownership saga doesn't end there. Weishaar and Snook, among others, took over the Bowman sale barn in June 2023, rebranding it as Bowman Livestock Marketing. Weishaar's attempt to kickstart the market by purchasing groups of "cutting bulls" from South Dakota sale barns backfired when it was revealed the bulls, bought at a discount for slaughter, lacked the necessary health certificates and trichomoniasis testing. Of the 51 bulls, 45 were destined for slaughter, but six were bound for a breeding program, now pending trichomoniasis testing.

The board meeting buzzed with discussions over Weishaar's case, highlighting the serious risk of disease spread and traceability issues. Weishaar, expressing his commitment to integrity, admitted to underestimating the complexities of state laws and vowed to up his diligence. State Veterinarian Ethan Andress acknowledged Weishaar's apologetic and cooperative stance during the investigation, with Snook echoing similar remorse.

Board members Warren Zenker and Kristi Doll voiced their unease over the potential health risks, labeling the actions as negligent and, in some cases, downright foolish. Zenker, tired of ignorance pleas, also raised concerns about potential tag tampering, signaling a deeper problem at Bowman Livestock Marketing.

As the dust settles on this hefty ruling, the North Dakota Board of Animal Health sends a clear message: ignorance of the law is no excuse, and the safety of the state's livestock is not up for negotiation.