Montana proposes expanding animal disease vaccination area

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana livestock officials are proposing to expand the area where cattle are required to be vaccinated against the disease brucellosis.

The Billings Gazette reports that ranchers in Broadwater, Carbon, Jefferson, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties would have to vaccinate all sexually intact cows more than a year old under the proposal from the state Department of Livestock.

Brucellosis causes animals to prematurely abort their young.

It’s been eradicated nationwide except in and around Yellowstone National Park, where it persists in wildlife including elk and bison.

A vaccination requirement already is in place for livestock producers in Madison, Gallatin, Park and Beaverhead counties.

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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com