Search Query
Navigation Trail
Home
»
Hunting
»
Brucellosis
Hunting Home
Seasons
Licenses & Permits
Regulations
Hunt Planner
ALS Searches
Hunter Access
Trapping
Related Info
Wildlife & Brucellosis (PDF 185 KB)
Buffaloed
-
Montana Outdoors
Bison and Brucellosis
What is brucellosis and why the concern?
Can cattle contract brucellosis from bison?
Why doesn’t Montana require cattle to be vaccinated?
Q. What is brucellosis and why the concern?
A. A contagious disease in cattle, bison, elk, and other ungulates,
Brucellosis abortus
causes females to abort. Over the past 70 years, the federal government, states, and livestock growers have spent several billion dollars to eradicate brucellosis in cattle. Currently, all but two states have been designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "brucellosis-free." Montana cattle have been classified brucellosis-free since 1985.
Q. Can cattle contract brucellosis from bison?
A. Yes. While transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle has never been documented in the wild, the disease has been transmitted from bison to cattle in a controlled environment. The disease has been transmitted from wild elk to cattle in the wild.
Q. Why doesn’t Montana require cattle to be vaccinated?
A. Today, most Montana livestock producers choose to vaccinate their replacement heifers annually and vaccination is mandatory for cattle in the Western and Northern Special Management Areas (SMA) adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. In addition, the Montana Department of Livestock recommends vaccination of cattle that could be exposed to infected wildlife, especially in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Among all 50 states, only Texas and Idaho do not have brucellosis-free status. Montana obtained its “brucellosis-free” status in 1985, a process that took 50 years and cost Montana ranchers more than $35 million dollars.
RETURN»
Website Navigation
Hunting
Seasons
Licenses & Permits
Regulations
Hunt Planner
ALS Searches
Hunter Access
Trapping
Fishing
Montana Fishing Guide
Visit a Fishing Access Site
Licenses & Permits
Regulations
Fisheries Management
Hatcheries
State Parks
Visit a State Park
Policies & Permits
Accommodations
Park Rules
Volunteer
Parks Management
Recreation
Visit a FWP Site
Licenses & Permits
Crossing the Barriers (ADA)
Activities
Ethics
Grant Programs
Recreation Management
Wild Things
Montana Field Guide
Species of Concern
Threatened & Endangered
Conservation in Action
Nongame Checkoff
Living with Wildlife
Habitat
Fish Habitat
Wildlife Habitat
Stewardship
Wildlife Management Areas
Learn More
Education
Hunter
Angler
Parks
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoors Woman
Wildlife Center
School Programs
Discover Montana's Ecosystems
Inside FWP
Goals & Objectives
Our Department
Crossing the Barriers
Employment
Contact Us
News
Recent News
Headlines
Fishing News
Hunting News
Parks News
Public Notices
News Archive
Fishing Roundup
Drought & Fire
Privacy & Security Policy
•
Accessibility
•
Contact Us
305 Current Users