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Updating the <a href="http://nowherethoughts.net/sarpysam/archives/2634-Seven-Montana-Cows-from-One-Herd-Have-Tested-Positive-for-Brucellosis.html">brucellosis story</a>, comes <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/05/19/news/state/20-brucellosis.txt">this story</a> which has some very interesting facts.<br />n<br />nThe cattle testing positive came originally from a herd near Emigrant which is located in Paradise Valley, South of Livingston. Paradise valley is a natural corridor for animals coming north out of Yellowstone Park.<br />n<br />nThe Governor Assures us the Brucellosis does not come from Bison out of Yellowstone Park. How can he be so sure of this? With this occurring in Paradise Valley it is very easy to imagine the bison could be at fault. Don't get me wrong, there could be a lot of explanations for how this happened but I would like to know how the Governor is so sure it's not the Bison.<br />n<br />nThe really scary thing, is that a second herd near Emigrant is also being tested and all it takes is two separate herds testing positive for brucellosis in a 12 month period for the brucellosis free status Montana has to be lost which could really hurt cattle producers. Om a quick personal level, this doesn't really affect me because the only animals I ship out that might be affected by testing are my dries and they are going straight to slaughter usually and don't need tested.<br />n<br />nWe are in a wait and see mode now about the second herd. Hopefully the tests are negative. This really highlights the concerns I have about the Federal Governments reservoir of Brucellosis they maintain in Yellowstone National Park. Why is it the they require me to control brucellosis in the animals under my control but they don't have to under animals under their control?<br />n<br />n<strong>He that lives upon hope will die fasting. Benjamin Franklin </strong>