Elk and Brucellosis

 It’s not news to anybody that there’s a big flap going on between ranchers in Montana and representatives from state and federal government agencies regarding a plan to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. At issue is the relocation of more than 40 bison, kept under quarantine for three years as part of an experiment to keep alive at least some of the bison migrating from Yellowstone National Park. Bison have a susceptibility to contract brucellosis and this is easily spread into cattle herds.

 The issue does not appear to affect Idaho cattle ranchers since the bison problem is confined to the Yellowstone National Park area. But brucellosis can be contracted from a different source of wildlife…particularly in Eastern Idaho according to Farm Bureau Range and Livestock specialist Wally Butler:

“As far as the transfer from bison, that’s predominantly a Montana issue. But from the elk, it is an Eastern Idaho issue and can effect the whole state. If we were to lose our disease free status statewide, then it affects every producer in the state.”

 How do we prevent cattle contact with elk?(Butler)  “The major thing is to keep them separated whether that’s fencing or, if the elk need to be fed, feed them in separate areas.”

Butler says there are very active brucellosis prevention programs at state and federal levels.