Montana cattle still putting US herd at risk!

[Bill]

Mont. to Slaughter Quarantined Cattle
Wednesday July 11, 4:26 pm ET
By Sarah Cooke, Associated Press Writer
Mont. to Slaughter Quarantined Cattle if No Federal Deal Reached


HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- The Board of Livestock ordered the state Wednesday to slaughter a herd of quarantined cattle near Bridger if the owners and federal government cannot agree soon on a price for the animals.

Seven cows from the ranch tested positive for brucellosis in May, and Montana could lose its coveted brucellosis-free status if the 600-some cattle aren't slaughtered within 60 days of that discovery -- or by July 17.

Board members pushed up that deadline during a conference call, saying the state's billion-dollar livestock industry depends on a speedy resolution.

Under the order, state officials will begin arranging for the herd's slaughter if no written agreement was reached by ranchers Jim and Sandy Morgan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service by midnight Friday.

The Morgans would be compensated, but not under the more expensive deal they have been seeking.

The Morgans called Wednesday's order unfair and said they felt "steamrolled by the state."

"We're willing to do everything we can to help the state out," Jim Morgan said. "We would like a little help in return."

They rejected the federal government's initial appraisal of their herd, commissioned their own -- which nearly doubled the value -- and sent a counteroffer to APHIS last Thursday.

Dr. Lennis Knight, an APHIS veterinarian based in Helena, said Wednesday a new federal proposal was being reviewed.

Further negotiations between the state, the Morgans and the federal government were scheduled Thursday in Billings.

Board member Rebecca Weed had pressed for the meeting, saying the state should "make every good faith effort to reach an agreement before that deadline."

Brucellosis, which causes pregnant cows to abort their calves, was widely eradicated from livestock last century but has persisted in wildlife such as elk and bison. Recent outbreaks in Idaho and Wyoming -- both linked to Yellowstone National Park-area elk -- have cost livestock producers in those states millions of dollars.

Montana, which ranks sixth in the United States for total number of beef cows, is now on probation for two years and will lose it brucellosis-free status if any further cases turn up during that time.

Tests on more than 2,500 cattle that could have had contact with the infected herd have turned up negative. State and federal officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak, but many suspect elk herds that roam the area northeast of Yellowstone.

The Morgans and several Board of Livestock members asked for more time Wednesday to broker a compensation deal, but board chairman Bill Hedstrom suggested the parties had had enough time to negotiate and would not change the board's order.

The herd's quarantine also "has not been effective," Hedstrom said, referring to reports Wednesday that some of the Bridger cattle had gotten into neighboring herds in recent days.

Jim Morgan acknowledged several cattle had escaped, but suggested the animals were likely hungry after being in the same place for two months.

His father-in-law Bruce Malcolm, a rancher and state lawmaker from Emigrant, defended the family.

"They just want to try and get enough money to buy back the herd," he said. "They're not trying to get rich."

It's odd that R-Klanners wouldn't take the same interest in this as the Van Dyke incident :roll: and be doing all they could to help rectify this situation before bordering states have to slap import restrictions on the diseased Montana herd. If that happens Canada and other countries will be forced to once again follow their lead.

 

[ranch hand]

Mont. to Slaughter Quarantined Cattle
Wednesday July 11, 4:26 pm ET
By Sarah Cooke, Associated Press Writer
Mont. to Slaughter Quarantined Cattle if No Federal Deal Reached


HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- The Board of Livestock ordered the state Wednesday to slaughter a herd of quarantined cattle near Bridger if the owners and federal government cannot agree soon on a price for the animals.

Seven cows from the ranch tested positive for brucellosis in May, and Montana could lose its coveted brucellosis-free status if the 600-some cattle aren't slaughtered within 60 days of that discovery -- or by July 17.

Board members pushed up that deadline during a conference call, saying the state's billion-dollar livestock industry depends on a speedy resolution.

Under the order, state officials will begin arranging for the herd's slaughter if no written agreement was reached by ranchers Jim and Sandy Morgan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service by midnight Friday.

The Morgans would be compensated, but not under the more expensive deal they have been seeking.

The Morgans called Wednesday's order unfair and said they felt "steamrolled by the state."

"We're willing to do everything we can to help the state out," Jim Morgan said. "We would like a little help in return."

They rejected the federal government's initial appraisal of their herd, commissioned their own -- which nearly doubled the value -- and sent a counteroffer to APHIS last Thursday.

Dr. Lennis Knight, an APHIS veterinarian based in Helena, said Wednesday a new federal proposal was being reviewed.

Further negotiations between the state, the Morgans and the federal government were scheduled Thursday in Billings.

Board member Rebecca Weed had pressed for the meeting, saying the state should "make every good faith effort to reach an agreement before that deadline."

Brucellosis, which causes pregnant cows to abort their calves, was widely eradicated from livestock last century but has persisted in wildlife such as elk and bison. Recent outbreaks in Idaho and Wyoming -- both linked to Yellowstone National Park-area elk -- have cost livestock producers in those states millions of dollars.

Montana, which ranks sixth in the United States for total number of beef cows, is now on probation for two years and will lose it brucellosis-free status if any further cases turn up during that time.

Tests on more than 2,500 cattle that could have had contact with the infected herd have turned up negative. State and federal officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak, but many suspect elk herds that roam the area northeast of Yellowstone.

The Morgans and several Board of Livestock members asked for more time Wednesday to broker a compensation deal, but board chairman Bill Hedstrom suggested the parties had had enough time to negotiate and would not change the board's order.

The herd's quarantine also "has not been effective," Hedstrom said, referring to reports Wednesday that some of the Bridger cattle had gotten into neighboring herds in recent days.

Jim Morgan acknowledged several cattle had escaped, but suggested the animals were likely hungry after being in the same place for two months.

His father-in-law Bruce Malcolm, a rancher and state lawmaker from Emigrant, defended the family.

"They just want to try and get enough money to buy back the herd," he said. "They're not trying to get rich."

It's odd that R-Klanners wouldn't take the same interest in this as the Van Dyke incident :roll: and be doing all they could to help rectify this situation before bordering states have to slap import restrictions on the diseased Montana herd. If that happens Canada and other countries will be forced to once again follow their lead.

How do you know they are not involved? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Government is trying to steal these cattle by not paying enough to buy back with it was caused by the publics wildlife.

 

[Bill]

If R-Klan is involved I am surprised one of their R-Disciples on this site haven't let us know.

To busy focusing on all that is wrong with COOL, China or Canada I suppose.

 

[Sandhusker]

If R-Klan is involved I am surprised one of their R-Disciples on this site haven't let us know.

To busy focusing on all that is wrong with COOL, China or Canada I suppose.

You would just R-badmouth it regardless, so what's the use?

 

[Bill]

If R-Klan is involved I am surprised one of their R-Disciples on this site haven't let us know.

To busy focusing on all that is wrong with COOL, China or Canada I suppose.

You would just R-badmouth it regardless, so what's the use?

Are you trying to tell us that you knew these cattle had NOT been disposed of Sadhusker?

 

[Anonymous]

Bill- its been being monitored by the Dept. of Livestock- and I have spoke regularly with the local rep on the board....

And since the figures offered or involved haven't been released, I have no idea who is right and who is wrong in the standoff--but Big Government has all the dealing power-- and from past history of how they've treated the little guy, and especially the little guy in an area (near the park) where they've been trying to get rid of all ranchers-- I'm skeptical to say the least...

But its one of those things that has to be done for the good of the whole....

Lot of folks down here were quite upset at the Morgans- that they did not move faster to get the slaughter done- when they know it has to be done...But I can see their worries too since USDA has placed itself up there at the level of Dick Cheney- above God and everybody....

 

[Bill]

Bill- its been being monitored by the Dept. of Livestock- and I have spoke regularly with the local rep on the board....

And since the figures offered or involved haven't been released, I have no idea who is right and who is wrong in the standoff--but Big Government has all the dealing power-- and from past history of how they've treated the little guy, and especially the little guy in an area (near the park) where they've been trying to get rid of all ranchers-- I'm skeptical to say the least...

But its one of those things that has to be done for the good of the whole....

Lot of folks down here were quite upset at the Morgans- that they did not move faster to get the slaughter done- when they know it has to be done...But I can see their worries too since USDA has placed itself up there at the level of Dick Cheney- above God and everybody....

Now why don't you run as fast as we know you can to all the other sites you frequent under the name of Oldtimer, Willowcreek, Arroyo and whatever other names you use and update them on how lax the state of Montana is in getting this issue solved as well as how unconcerned R-Calf appears to be with it. After all according to you and others here they are the true voice of the American cattleman.

Sure is funny how the R-Klowns jumped into the Van Dyke issue in beating the drum to a frenzy and making us aware of what was or wasn't going on (real or imagined) when it involved Canada but invoke the code of silence when trying to hide this.

I wonder how strict the quarantine has been on the 600 PLUS head and how many have grown wheels since May.

 

[Anonymous]

Bill- Its a BIG issue in your pea brain only-- as this is something that we states that have Yellowstone Park bordering it deal with it regularly....Wyoming and Idaho are under quarantine or just being cleared now- because of cattle getting it from elk....Much again because of an inept policys/inaction of USDA , US Fish and Wildlife, US Park Service, US Forest Service and their own inner agency turmoils and failure to even want to work together- while telling the State peons "to just hush and be good little serfs"......

And both MCA and MSGA have been on top of the situation from day one...

But you better get your worry beads out-- I saw a Yellowstone elk heading north with a Toque on his head :wink: :lol: :lol:

 

[Sandhusker]

Bill, "Sure is funny how the R-Klowns jumped into the Van Dyke issue in beating the drum to a frenzy and making us aware of what was or wasn't going on (real or imagined) when it involved Canada but invoke the code of silence when trying to hide this."

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: You are pure entertainment, Bill! You post is hardly worthy of an answer, but I need a break, so.......

With Van Dykes, you had a packer and a government agency lying to producers, telling they were crazy and didn't know thier own cattle, and then covering up the whole deal. You had questions of why the packer changed their story and why it took so long to "investigate". When the "official" story came out, you had a producer saying, "That's not true". There were more red flags than a Soviet May Day parade. (do you want me to explain that to you?)

With this, everybody knows what the deal is, why, and how it is going to be settled. The only questions are when and at what price.

 

[Bill]

Bill- Its a BIG issue in your pea brain only-- as this is something that we states that have Yellowstone Park bordering it deal with it regularly....Wyoming and Idaho are under quarantine or just being cleared now- because of cattle getting it from elk....Much again because of an inept policys/inaction of USDA , US Fish and Wildlife, US Park Service, US Forest Service and their own inner agency turmoils and failure to even want to work together- while telling the State peons "to just hush and be good little serfs"......

And both MCA and MSGA have been on top of the situation from day one...

But you better get your worry beads out-- I saw a Yellowstone elk heading north with a Toque on his head :wink: :lol: :lol:

Whoops I forgot you R-Klanners haven't found a way to blame this on Canada so it isn't a BIG issue to you yet!

If you don't get this mess straightened out and you lose your status we KNOW you will be whining that it is a big issue.

 

[ranch hand]

Bill so you don't wet the bed tonight with worry, the cattle are on their way to slaughter. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[QUESTION]

OMG same old thing - nothing going on, quick sweep it under the rug there is no brucellosis problem. Maybe erradicate the disease. It has been claimed the the montana cowherd has eliminated brucelloisis( just like BSE). Do you guys know the definition of erradicate or eliminate, maybe before making anouncements check the press releases and the definitions of the words being use. :roll:

 

[Kato]

Is there not a vaccine for brucellosis?

Why doesn't R-Calf spend some precious lobby money on trying to get the government to ante up and vaccinate herds around the park. :shock:

Now that would be a good use of a lawyer. :!:

 

[Anonymous]

Is there not a vaccine for brucellosis?


Why doesn't R-Calf spend some precious lobby money on trying to get the government to ante up and vaccinate herds around the park. :shock:

Now that would be a good use of a lawyer. :!:

The vets tell me it is not 100% affective- in fact some places I've read it is only 65% affective....It provides some protection- but is not foolproof...And I'm pretty sure that all those in the park area probably do vaccinate-- I know almost all do in our area... Its a fall/winter ritual of the Vets making a loop going from place to place vaccinating- with the neighbors following him along assisting-- kind of like branding (since you have to have coffee and cake- or lunch- after each herd).....

Its pretty much a rarity anymore to see a nonvaccinant come into the ring...

 

[Sandhusker]

Is there not a vaccine for brucellosis?

Why doesn't R-Calf spend some precious lobby money on trying to get the government to ante up and vaccinate herds around the park. :shock:

Now that would be a good use of a lawyer. :!:

Exactly how many things do we have to fix, anyway?

You never answered when I asked you why US producers had to take the bullet for you....

 

[Kato]

:roll: :roll: I was just asking a simple question.

We eradicated brucellosis many years ago, and vaccination is not allowed here because it can be misinterpreted on a blood test as exposure to the disease. Therefore I don't know anything about the vaccine, and am not up to date on the ins and outs of your brucellosis management protocol.

When they worked on it here, every female slaughter animal was blood tested, and if it was positive, they came for the herd. I remember cows being blood tested at the auction marts as well. The government vets made the rounds in the country and blood tested herds. They eventually got to all of them. Every cow used to have a metal Gov. of Canada tag.

There was a set price for commercial, bulls, and purebred cows. No negotiating prices that I know of.

We've bit enough of our own bullets thank you.......

 

[Anonymous]

:roll: :roll: I was just asking a simple question.

We eradicated brucellosis many years ago, and vaccination is not allowed here because it can be misinterpreted on a blood test as exposure to the disease. Therefore I don't know anything about the vaccine, and am not up to date on the ins and outs of your brucellosis management protocol.

When they worked on it here, every female slaughter animal was blood tested, and if it was positive, they came for the herd. I remember cows being blood tested at the auction marts as well. The government vets made the rounds in the country and blood tested herds. They eventually got to all of them. Every cow used to have a metal Gov. of Canada tag.

There was a set price for commercial, bulls, and purebred cows. No negotiating prices that I know of.

We've bit enough of our own bullets thank you.......

Kato-- The problem isn't with our cattle herds... The problem is with the governments herds- their Park elk and buffalo which they refuse to do anything with, and which if left to them, would be allowed to roam pretty much freely thru 3 states...

 

[QUESTION]

Solution - Do what was done in canada and test and depopulate. In other words slaughter all cattle in Montana. Don't graze within 100 miles of the infected wild herds. Just do something and quit ingoring the problem. Don't try to manage the disease eliminate it. And don't use the excuse it will be too costly that is the excuse that gets people into messes like this.

 

[IL Rancher]

Wyoming made part of the problem themselves with the feeding of the Elk herd outside Jackson for all those years, don't know if they are still doing it. Folks always focus on the 5000 (Is that the number now) Bison running around the oark (When the area should onl support 500) but while I was out there they tended to ignore the 30k Elk in the ecosystem because they got hunted by folks and brought money to the economy.. The only person I have ever known to have ungulate fever got it from an Elk carcass.. Of course now that the wolves have gotten established those Elk numbers have decreased.. I would imagine that along with elk kills they have to be hitting the Bison calves in the park (I know, I know and livestock outside of it)..

It was a cluster f 10 years ago when I was out there, talking about hunting seasons on Bison, vacinating, hazing, birth control and it seams as if nothing has changed except to add some buffer ground around the park until the bison fill that up too and than they will be pushing out of that area... What ever happened to the CUT ranch out there? did they sell that and move out or is the Church still there?