Wyoming regains brucellosis-free status

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)--The federal government declared Wyoming's cattle herds free of brucellosis, meaning costly restrictions placed on the state's producers over the last 2 1/2 years can now be eased, state officials said Sept. 12.

The decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare the state brucellosis-free will be official in the next several days when it is published in the Federal Register, according to Gov. Dave Freduenthal's office.

"It is a tribute to the brucellosis task force and the others around the state who worked to make this effort successful," Freudenthal said in a prepared statement. "It also demonstrates the importance of the producers, hunters and Game and Fish in the eastern and western parts of the state working and staying together so that we can retain statewide brucellosis-free status."

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can cause pregnant bison, cattle and elk to abort their fetuses.

Wyoming lost its brucellosis-free status in November 2003 after the disease was found in a cattle herd near Pinedale; that herd also was close to an elk feedground. Further testing found the disease in cattle herds in Teton and Washakie counties.

Since then, a state task force has recommended ways to control or eradicate the disease among Wyoming cattle. The loss of brucellosis-free status meant that most cattle being shipped out of state had to be tested for the disease.

In order to be declared free of brucellosis, the state had to be free of any positive tests for the disease in cattle and domestic bison for 12 straight months.

State Veterinarian Dr. Dwayne Oldham said the state must work now to make sure brucellosis doesn't show up in cattle again.

"We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us to maintain the status, and it's important that we pursue good management practices and don't become complacent," Oldham said.

While federal testing requirements are no longer needed, separate state requirements enforced by the Wyoming Livestock Board remain in place.

Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association, said the immediate effect on Wyoming cattle producers would be minimal; some ranchers will eventually be able to stop testing their cattle, but only after state rules are changed to reflect the new brucellosis-free status.

But the change should help improve the image of Wyoming cattle to cattlemen in other states, he said.

"We do know that when we first lost our status--in fact, when we first had our first positive test, before we officially lost our status--several states imposed requirements on cattle going into those states, for testing," Magagna said. "Those will now be removed.

"The more difficult part is that we sensed that there was some reluctance on the part of some buyers to buy cattle from Wyoming, and in particular from those certain counties in northwest Wyoming."

Magagna said the resumption of Wyoming's brucellosis-free status should help remove that stigma.

The United States is almost entirely free of brucellosis in cattle. Only Idaho and Texas remain as states affected with cattle brucellosis.

Date: 9/20/06

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com