Different livestock

The state Veterinarian and administrator of the division of Animal Industries at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture,He and his division oversee some animals you might not expect.

“Captive elk is one, that people don’t necessarily think. In other states they call them alternative livestock. So that’s one species, it’s a pretty sizable industry that we regulate.

Deleterious exotic animals is another program that we do regulate, so whether it’s lions or tigers they have to have a possession permit through this agency. Other species of animals… there’s a whole list of animals like primates that are included on that list as well.”

Leibsle says one positive thing he’s seen as a result of the pandemic is adopting remote meetings for the rulemaking process, allowing broader participation from stakeholders around the state that no longer have to make the trip to Boise to participate.

“Boise’s a long way from a lot of places in Idaho but that doesn’t mean we value the producers that are in those parts of the state any less, and so the fact that we have gotten the added participation through the virtual platform that we’ve had, I think has been great.”

“It’s a very rewarding job, I think the interplay that we have with the various livestock industries and the producers… it’s great to be able to get out and meet the different people that make Idaho’s livestock industry great.   

I think we have a wonderfully diverse agricultural community, and I’m very happy to be a part of it.”