MADISON, Wis. -- Some Wisconsin farmers said that a new livestock identification rule is going to be financially crippling.

The rule, which is set to take full effect on May 1, seeks to make it easier to track animals in case of a disease outbreak.

Some farmers are voicing concerns about the rule.

"This is going to have a huge financial burden on thousands of farmers throughout Wisconsin and throughout the United States if it passes. What it's going to affect are the small farmers, the farmers who can't afford these extra costs," said Ken Ruegsegger, a farmer in the Town of Paoli.

But the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said there are misconceptions about the new system.

"This is not about animal identification at all. This is premises registration. All we want to know is what species you have on your property and if we need to contact you, who to contact," said Donna Gilson, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

An open meeting on the rule is planned at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.