Brucellosis Found in Montana Cattle Herd

I took this photo!

The big Montana news (although you may not have herd about it) lately is about 7 cows that were found to have Brucellosis, a deadly and very contagious bovine disease. "Brucellosis is a bacteriological disease that causes cows to abort their first calf after infection. It is spread primarily by contact with infected birthing materials," writes Scott McMillion from The Bozeman Daily Chronical

So far, 350 cows are under quarantine. This includes 50 that had already been shipped to Iowa according to this site. If even two more cows in the entire state are found to have this disease, the entire state will lose it's Brucellosis-Free status, requiring all infected herds to be "depopulated" and making exportation of all Montana beef much harder and more expensive. Jay Bodner, natural resources specialist for the Montana Stockgrowers Association estimates that the cattle industry could lose between $5 million and $15 million this year. That's a lot of money riding on the possibility of just two more infected cows.

In response to this, the state plans to kill up to 300 Bison that may be infected with the disease, mainly pregnant females and their calves, according to The Billings Gazette. Conservationists are in an uproar, the ranchers are roaring back, and, if you're listening, this whole debate is getting louder and louder.

We're talking a total of 9 cows deciding the fate of an entire state's biggest industry. It's like saying that because 9 seats at Wrigley are defective, the whole Cubs season is cancelled. Economically this could be huge for our friends and neighbors. Keep an eye on it, if you're interested. I'll try to keep updating you on the cow situation here.

This is Anna-Montana, research reporter to The City signing off.....