Brucellosis Surveillance Requirements

Brucellosis is a contagious, costly disease of ruminant animals that also infects humans. Studies have shown that the costs of producing beef and milk would increase by an estimated $80 million annually in less than 10 years if brucellosis eradication program efforts were stopped.

In order to mitigate the risk of Brucellosis in cattle herds, on January 13, 2010 the Montana Department of Livestock Animal Health Division ordered surveillance requirements for Brucellosis and established a Designated Surveillance Area (DSA). Surveillance for brucellosis in livestock in the high risk area has been successful in detecting previous transmissions. It is imperative that surveillance and risk mitigation activities, including brucellosis vaccination continue in this area to rapidly detect disease and to enable the continued marketability of Montana’s livestock.

Livestock producers operating within the counties of Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, and Carbon Counties who have not submitted an Operation Specific Risk Survey to the Montana Department of Livestock OR completed a whole herd brucellosis test since January 1, 2009 shall:
1. Test cattle for brucellosis within 30 days prior to change of ownership.
2. Exceptions/variances:
  1. Steers and spayed heifers do not need to be tested.
  2. Animals moving to an approved Montana Livestock Market may be tested on arrival.
  3. Animals moving directly to slaughter
Livestock producers operating with any part of Beaverhead, Gallatin or Park Counties shall:
1. Officially Calfhood Vaccinate (OCV) all eligible animals (intact, female cattle and domestic bison 4-12 months of age) prior to change of ownership. Unvaccinated OCV eligible animals may:
  1. Become official calfhood vaccinates at ranch origin, OR
  2. Become official calfhood vaccinates at a Montana approved livestock market, OR
  3. Be moved under quarantine to a final destination in Montana and remain under quarantine until officially calfhood vaccinated within 30 days with written approval of the Montana State Veterinarian.
  4. Be sold to a state that accepts non OCV animals.
2. Female cattle or domestic bison that are not OCV eligible may become official adult vaccinates (AV) following a negative brucellosis test with written permission from the Montana State Veterinarian

Additional requirements apply for livestock producers in the Designated Surveillance Area (DSA).

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Brucellosis Surveillance Requirements