John Youngberg - August 31, 2006
Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Brucellosis Control
The last few days even though warm have had a hint of fall in the air. Nights are cooler as we start to enjoy Montana’s beautiful “Indian summer”. This signals a busy time for farmers and ranchers as we start to reap the benefits of another bountiful year. Ranchers will begin shipping calves to market with livestock sales expected to top $1 ¼ billion dollars again this year. Wheat markets continue to hold strong, even though we haven’t enjoyed bumper crops statewide, Montana’s reputation for quality should guarantee receipts in the $950, million range.
As winter nears farmers and ranchers become concerned about next year. Will there be sufficient water, will the markets hold, will fuel prices at least stabilize. A real concern in Montana’s ranching community lurks in Yellowstone Park. Yellowstone contains the last pool of brucellosis in the United States. An extreme winter or a late spring could again cause bison to exit the park increasing the potential for severe financial losses for Montana’s ranchers.
Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella abortus; a bacterial organism transmitted primarily by contact with byproducts of birth or abortion, or with milk from infected animals. There is no feasible treatment or cure for animals or humans infected with Brucellosis. Animal response varies but most do not suffer marked fever, anorexia, or other outward signs. Pregnant female cattle and bison typically develop infection that results in spontaneous abortion or premature labor. Infected cows usually abort once, but some will abort during additional pregnancies, and calves may be weak and unhealthy.
In humans it is manifested as a systemic disease, known as “undulant fever” (characterized by undulating body temperature), an uncomplicated case resembles the flu. Brucellosis is listed as a Category B threat among bioterrorism agents and diseases. Category B indicates a significant health threat to humans and livestock.
According to federal rules, if a single cattle herd in a state that is brucellosis free becomes infected with brucellosis the herd must be slaughtered and herds in the surrounding area must be tested to ensure the disease does not spread. If more than one herd is infected, the state must implement a brucellosis-testing program for producers that could cost up to 15.00/head. Considering the cost of testing, lost markets and increased handling, the Dept. of Interior estimates that the loss of our disease free status could cost cattle producers up to $25 million a year.
Bison in Yellowstone are managed in accordance with a court ordered Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). The plan meets the requirements of the Association of State Veterinarians for class free status. It allows bison and cattle to occupy the same area as long as there is temporal and spatial separation. In short they cannot come in contact with each other and there is a time frame that coordinates with the life span of the bacteria between the times that they can utilize the same range. Suggestions have lately been made as to changes to the IBMP, including an expanded hunting season and increased buffer zones. Montana Farm Bureau suggests that the following conditions be met in any alterations to the plan.
1. Eradication of brucellosis is a must. Until the Park Service becomes more aggressive in managing the Yellowstone bison herd for brucellosis eradication, problems will continue to exist no matter what management Montana utilizes.
2. Yellowstone National Park must take a more active role in controlling the bison population within the park itself. Extending the management zone in the form of “buffers” only expands the problem farther into Montana and increases the risk of mixing infected wildlife with our livestock.
3. Changes would have to meet the criteria of the western state veterinarians for maintaining our class free status.
4. Changes should be applicable to bison and elk. It would be imprudent to establish a policy for bison that sets a precedent, which inadvertently leads to the mismanagement of brucellosis in elk.
5. Hunting can continue to be a part of bison population management, but it must be recognized that hunting cannot reduce bison numbers on a scale necessary to slow herd expansion before the effort is hampered by logistics and invites a repeat of the public relations debacle of the early 90’s.
As falling leaves turn to snow Montanans need to analyze whether changes to the IBMP will mean more or less risk of financial loss for Montana’s ranching community. Hopefully our decisions will be based on science and fiscal responsibility more than emotion.
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots organization that represents all facets of Montana agriculture. They represent over 12,000-member families statewide.
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