Anthrax hits Meade County herd in first S.D. case of year

South Dakota has its first anthrax case of the year. The disease was detected in cow-calf pairs in Meade County, according to State Veterinarian Dr. Mendel Miller. The case surfaced after a producer moved animals between pastures. Dry conditions across the state complicated the initial assessment. A water problem was one early suspect, and the producer vaccinated for anthrax to cover the possibility before testing returned a confirmation. “This time of year in South Dakota, you never know if it’s a water situation, especially as dry as it’s been,” Miller told South Dakota News. “They changed pastures and vaccinated for anthrax, just kind of to cover both bases and then, did some testing after that, and it was confirmed that it was anthrax.” Anthrax is a bacterial disease that livestock contract from the ground. It can persist in fields for decades, Miller said, which makes areas with a history of the disease an ongoing risk long after the last confirmed case has faded from memory. History shows the disease has had a widespread presence in South Dakota. Other sudden death events have occurred among cattle in the state this year. Testing returned negative in those cases, Miller said. The Meade County detection marks the first confirmed case of 2026. Vaccine framed as low-cost insurance A vaccine is available. Miller pointed to its cost as a reason for producers in known anthrax areas to use it annually. “It’s fairly cheap when considering all other vaccines, but it’s really cheap when considering death loss that can occur with anthrax,” he said. “If you’re in an area where it’s happened in the past, it’s a cheap preventative to do it every year.” Miller urged producers to closely monitor their herds, particularly operations situated in regions where anthrax has appeared before. Dry pasture conditions and pasture changes can both factor into exposure. That makes regular observation a priority right now. Sudden, unexplained death losses warrant a closer look. Producers who see them in their cattle should pursue testing to rule the disease in or out.