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Livestock disease plan focuses on Yellowstone areaBILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Montana cattle ranchers near Yellowstone National Park would have to test their entire herds for brucellosis and vaccinate them against the disease, under a plan offered Sept. 25 by state livestock officials. The plan, still in draft form, is required for Montana to regain its federal brucellosis-free status. The state lost that status in September following infections on two ranches within the past two years. Brucellosis causes cows to abort their calves. Eradicated elsewhere, it remains a problem in the Yellowstone area because of the disease's prevalence in wildlife. The Department of Livestock plan released Sept. 25 calls for less stringent testing and vaccination requirements outside the Yellowstone area. It also encourages ranchers to keep their livestock separate from elk. Although Montana cannot apply to regain its disease-free status until next May, state livestock officials said they wanted to be well on the way to solving the brucellosis problem by then. "Some of the things in the plan will probably be used for many years to come," said Department of Livestock spokesman Steve Merritt. Federal officials have estimated testing and vaccination requirements will cost Montana cattle producers $6 million to $12 million. Livestock industry representatives said they would ask state and federal agencies to cover at least some of those costs. "We have ballparked it at $20 an animal by the time you do testing and handling and vaccinations," said John Youngberg with the Montana Farm Bureau. "We need to help those folks out. They're doing the right thing, but it's coming from wildlife." Youngberg said his organization was "fairly satisfied with the framework" of the proposed plan, but wants wildlife agencies such as Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to help keep elk away from cattle. Errol Rice with the Montana Stockgrowers Association said members of his organization will be scrutinizing the boundary lines that dictate where more stringent testing would be required. "All of that has to be vetted by the entire industry," he said. Public comment is being taken through Oct. 10. Merritt said the Board of Livestock is aiming to adopt a final plan by Dec. 31. 10/6/08 Date: 10/1/08
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