Tarred with the same brush.
Bye girls. . .
Goodbye to my beautiful girls and their healthy calves. Goodbye to years of selective breeding. Goodbye to another thing that Allan and I struggled to build.
They’re calling this herd tainted. A misleading headline. The Morgans have six cows considered positive. Three of those are home raised, bangs vaccinated cows with healthy calves. The other three are Corriente cows that weren’t vaccinated before they purchased them. Those longhorns also have healthy calves on them. These six have been segregated since the test results.
We’ve been called “welfare ranchers”. The USDA budgeted 22% for Farm and Commodity programs in 2003 - 2006. 11% went to Conservation and Forestry. 6% was for Research, Inspection and Administration. 2% went to the Rural Development Program. 3% was for International Programs. The Domestic Food Assistance Programs took 56%.
We’ve been told that we should be happy, that the government is giving us money for our diseased animals. These cows are no more diseased than the brucellosis exposed bison which are permitted to live and return to Yellowstone Park. These cows are our private property that the government is taking.
These cattle are considered “exposed” to brucellosis. Federal law requires brucellosis exposed livestock to be slaughtered. Federal law does not require “exposed” wildlife to be slaughtered. How is this a scientific solution to the eradication of brucellosis? People were crying over moms and babies. That slaughter did not happen. Ranchers have been vilified as rabid, evil, wildlife haters. Maybe there are some extremist ranchers, but most ranchers enjoy all animals. I don’t appreciate having hundreds of deer in my haystacks, especially knowing that they are relatively recent arrivals to this part of the Clark’s Fork Valley. It makes me wonder about the free all you can eat wildlife buffet being served here.
How did all of this happen? Even with CSI Montana, it is doubtful the actual source will be found.
The original “hot cow” would have been on the Emigrant ranch at the time she contracted the brucella abortus organism. This was not from a bovine source, but another ungulate - elk. How did the elk get this? Probably from the bison.
I understand the history of brucellosis. I am well aware that this is a cattle disease, transmitted from livestock to wildlife. History repeats and reverses itself. Brucellosis is now transmitted from the bison to other wildlife. Every recent case of brucellosis in cattle in the Yellowstone area has had a common denominator - elk.
The writing was on the wall from Day One. We knew that our cattle were going to slaughter. If there was a procedure in place, it should have been followed. We should have been kept abreast of what was happening. I know that Montana has not gone through this in years. I understand that the focus was shifted from our livelihood to the icon of Yellowstone National Park.
We were left in the dark. We apparently were not on a “need to know” basis. My heifers were headed for slaughter. I was getting more information from the Billings Gazette than the agencies involved. I had to call the Feds, not the other way around. I took in the speculation and rumors. I read utter nonsense. We heard from folks crying about “what we were doing to the industry”. My father-in-law was yelled at by a “neighbor” complaining about what I was doing. He didn’t call me. The Industry didn’t come to anyone’s rescue. We were in the middle of political posturing. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I too, requested a sit down with the Executive Branch.
The slaughter of Jim and Sandy’s herd is not going to eradicate brucellosis. This is a political solution, not a scientific solution. A buffer zone around YNP is not going to solve the problem either. It would create new problems. Political problems, reaching far beyond the borders of the United States, not simply the “buffer zone”.
What is the solution? I don’t know, but I would like to see all parties involved putting their heads together to work toward trying to eradicate this disease. We need to protect and respect all of our resources. Farmers and ranchers make up a very small part of the United States population. Most of us would not be doing this if we didn’t love it. I know that these are beef cattle. I may not be a third generation Montanan like my late husband, but I understand that I am producing food. These cows were not for sale now. My heifers should have produced nine or ten more calves. Only then should they have been considered beef headed for slaughter. These calves should not be going to slaughter at this young age. They needed to continue getting their mother’s milk for quite some time. It isn’t going to happen.
Personally, I’d like to thank everyone who has been supportive the last few weeks. Your calls, messages, comments and emails have helped. Many of you didn’t understand what was going on. Don’t feel bad, neither did we. We’re all getting an education.
There are scarier things than disease:
Ignorance and arrogance
Taxes and capital gains
Stay tuned.
July 15th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Karen:
I’m glad you took the time to correct some of the falsehoods people have come to believe about brucellosis and the federal monies “given” to the ranchers for their property. Perhaps the public should become better informed about issues that ranchers and farmers deal with throughout the course of their lives in this business, such as how wildlife and livestock management are intertwined on many levels, and that the federal agencies that manage these entities are politically driven.
It makes me sad to see the picture of those healthy heifers on their way out. Where are the protesters crying about killing “mothers and babies” now?
Keep your chin up!
July 15th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
My heart goes out to you in this situation. Politics suck, I know, we’re still suffering from the B.S.E. crisis here in Canada.
July 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Not the above Linda but I too feel terrible about this tragic situation.
Know I will be thinking about you.
July 15th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, Karen. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do or if you just want to talk, give me a call.
July 15th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
ohfercrisakes! I’m so sorry.
July 15th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Karen!!! I am sooooooooo sorry you are going through this. We are thinking of you and praying!!!
hugs~Shelly
July 15th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Karen, I can’t even imagine how upset I would be if someone from the government told me I would have to sell my cattle against my wishes.
If the likely vector for the disease is wildlife managed by the government, it only seems reasonable that the government should pay not only for the actual cost of the cattle at the time of slaughter, but for the true replacement costs of like kind cattle with quality genetics.
Lowballing a family rancher when they have to destroy a lifetime’s work is the kind of ass-hatery that builds distrust and downright hostility between those who make their living raising cattle and those who are supposed to serve the public.
My prayers to you and the Morgans.
July 15th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
People always wonder why I am so leery of the Government, this just shows us why. It was Reagan that said something to the effect of “the scariest thing to hear in the world is, I’m form the Government and I’m here to help.”
Being caught in the grinder is horrible and I wish I could help you. All I can do is send you all my love and support. Like I said, I can’t imagine trying to replace my genetics for any price. You did answer my question about capital gains though. Damn, they get you coming and going.
July 15th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
It’s tough. Ranching is much more than the money anyway. Those animals and that herd are part of you. To wake up one morning and have a part of you gone…..well, most people just do not understand. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Karen.
July 15th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I am so very, very sorry…
July 15th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Karen: Maybe the brucellosis crisis should be considered over? I agree with you that the federal government should do something more about the brucellosis in the bison and the elk. The first move would be close down the elk feeding grounds in Jackson Hole. The next would be to remove the status of not handling park bison and doing the research necessary to take care of the brucellosis there. But, if ranchers had not lost herds for 50 years or more now to take care of this situation, I would say it is time to give it up. Most people drink pasteurized milk these days and the main reason for eliminating brucellosis in the first place was to eliminate one of the milk fevers. My mother who was raised on a ranch in dairy country was horrified by the thought of us drinking unpasteurized milk. And that is why the government should pay a decent price when they “depopulate” a herd; it was a public health issue when it started, not a ranching issue. In those day most ranchers could afford to lose the first calf. With all that said, I am very, very sorry that you will be hit on this.
July 16th, 2007 at 6:13 am
I had no idea you were dealing with this. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, this is another crisis you do not need.
I’m so sorry!
July 16th, 2007 at 6:43 am
O karen - this is so very sad.
let’s find a place to hide them… then when the govt. comes - just tell them you misplaced them…oops.
my thoughts are with you. and those beautfiul animals.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:55 am
There doesn’t appear to be any *valid* reason that all these animals have to be culled after having been tested and found clean - particularly since the very same government that’s wanting to kill them is letting the SOURCE of the brucellosis run free.
I think it would be entirely appropriate to fuss about this to our esteemed Senators. It likely wouldn’t do any good _this_ time, but you can maybe force something approximating consistency and reasonableness for when something like this happens next time (and I think we all know that there’s bound to be a next time).
There’s also the question of just exactly WHY it’s ‘okay’ to shortchange the cattle owners on _replacement_ costs and then tax that underpayment - it’s a capital LOSS, not _gain_!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:30 am
You are right on a number of points! Elk are often the carriers of the disease, but because of outfitting and the love of elk hunting in Montana, little will ever be done to control the disease in elk. As a result, the focus has always been on something the government can control - the bison -which are not allowed to roam free within the state. As you noted, a buffer zone around the park will do little good, as elk won’t be a part of the solution, only bison.
Secondly, you would think the government would have an obligation to fully pay if they “took” something that belonged to a private citizen. However they don’t, and what is happening with you herd is the same thing that happens with property that a governmental entity wants for development. They will pay you what they want to, and if you don’t agree, they will “condemn” it and take it anyway. I realize that there are times when the “good of all” must be put ahead of the “good of one”, such as a highway; but in the case of this disease, you are more than reasonable in asking for the full value of the calf crop (sale price in the fall), as well as replacement of the genetics that are being lost with the eratication of the herd. You simply can’t go to the next livestock auction and replace a herd’s genetics with everyday auction cattle. You need to purchase young, high quality replacement heifers from a reputable rancher, and these cost more than the everyday auction price of cattle. The Department of Livestock realizes this, but of course want to get by as cheaply as possible. I hope that further negoitations will further negate your loss, but as you noted, nothing can replace the personal loss that one feels. Alot of people don’t realize that you can bond with cattle in much the same way you bond with your dog. This is horrible for any rancher, and I can’t imagine going through it. My thoughts are with you.
July 16th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Jeez … welcome to the land of the free and the home of the brave.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:39 am
[…] Cattle ranching…….. It’s not just a life… It’s a lifestyle, and it’s our hope that one day the government will stop making their decisions based on assumption and speculation…… Karbon Kounty Moos…. You are in our thoughts and our prayers around here. [link] […]
July 17th, 2007 at 6:06 am
[…] One of the most beloved of all Montana bloggers, our very own Karbon Kounty Moos, is going through some terrible times right now. Goodbye to my beautiful girls and their healthy calves. Goodbye to years of selective breeding…They’re calling this herd tainted…There are scarier things than disease: Ignorance and arrogance. Taxes and capital gains […]
July 17th, 2007 at 7:05 am
:( I’m sorry. *love, huggles, and prayers*
July 17th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Oh Karen, I’ve been out of town and missed this! I am sorry that this mess will be resolved on your backs. Cleared animals shouldn’t have to be slaughtered. Sorry the bureaucrats can’t get their noses out of their rule books and come up with a fact-based solution to this problem.
July 17th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Ok folks, whats done is done, life has to go on.
It’s time for us to all step up to the plate and as neighbors, allbeit, some of us from afar to pitch in and help.
Let’s all pitch in and help rebuild the herds, collectively.
I am challenging everyone to buy and ship a calve or yearling to to both Karen and the Morgans.
I am doing it and I hope that you all will too.
If we don’t help one another out in a time of need, who else will? Your government damn sure won’t so it is up to us the people.
Karen, my wife is a CPA who will do your tax return for free if that will help you out, plus I am trying to find a couple of calves or yearlings to buy and ship to you and the Morgans to help get you going again.
Hope it helps,
IMALGMF
July 17th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Karen - I had no idea about any of this - I am truly sorry. Our government needs to stop making decisions based on assumption without concrete proof. I am at a loss of how to help. I am willing to help out in any way. Please let me know what I can do to help. You are in my thoughts and prays.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
This whole situation SUCKS!!!! Things like this make me ashamed that I work for the govt. At least I can take pride in what I do.
Things have gotten so ridiclous that its not about common sense anymore. Lets preserve the old growth forest at the risk of forest fires!!!
Gotta love that spotted owl!!!!
Just another in a long line of fights that you have had to battle.
Keep up the fight and know that you have love and support.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:16 am
Red Tape & Politics. They go together like bread an butter. Sorry you had to deal with this stuff, it’s just not fair. Keep up the good work, and keep fighting the war of disinformation. Great post, very informative.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:27 am
“Many of you didn’t understand what was going on.”
It’s an understatement, no doubt, but it’s still about one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best possible outcome.
July 18th, 2007 at 9:27 am
how does one buy a calf or yearling?
July 18th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Oh, Karen, I’m so sorry to read those news stories and your post. It’s a rotten situation all around, and it seems like a terrible waste of a valuable resource — and of animals you’ve come to know. I’m thinking of you here in San Francisco, and worried.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I’m so sorry, Karen.
Our thoughts are with you.
Hugs
The Sprouts
July 19th, 2007 at 11:55 am
OMG, Karen — I didn’t realize you were caught in this net. I’m so sorry.
July 20th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Although the thought is kind, these cattle are just not that easy to replace. Its not just any calf or yearling for that matter, just as we humans are not all beauty queens, cows are different and individual too.
What the government is doing here is destroying years of selective breeding for carcass traits, calving ease, maternal or mothering ability and the ability to thrive on the range. Literally a lifetime of work.
What makes it worse is the sheer frustration of being dictated to. No recourse, take it or leave it, you have no rights. Some petty official who wouldn’t know his a**hole from a hole in the ground is judge jury and chief executioner. Even if they got the rules interpreted wrong, covered up the truth and downright LIE you are powerless. Read Mad Sheep by Linda Faillace if you want to be really sick.
Karen, I am SO sick on your behalf, there are no words. I am sorry.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Those in authority had no choice in the matter of destroying the herd and Karen and the Morgans knew that as soon as the disease was discovered. The lattitude that the authorities had included keeping the owners informed and respecting their need to understand what was going on. The only other thing they could really have done was given more consideration of to the other appaisals of the cattle. In my opinion, they did not do a very good job at any of those things.
The really sad thing about this is that the herds are gone. The genetics are gone. The history and work of these families are gone BUT we (the entire ag community) are not one bit closer to controlling bruscellosis than we were before.
Somehow, there needs to be real research done and strides made so that the next time someone has to make a huge sacrifice like this (for the good of the industry) that it actually does the industry some good. This “solution” does not seem to do any good for anyone. The whole law needs to be reworked so that science instead of politics decides how to handle these situations. Undoubtedly, the way the elk are moving all over the countryside into more and more unusual places, the situation is going to reoccur.
I hope that you, Karen, and the Morgans will be able to rebuild your herds and survive in the business but I understant that nothing will ever be the same. I am sorry.
July 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am
I am so sorry Karen…we were at camp, but Liz kept me informed of the things that were going on with you folks. Just horrible.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I know very little about ranching, and I wouldn’t presume to pretend otherwise. However, I can do basic math; and even setting aside the years of sweat and care you’ve invested, offering payment of slightly more than half the value of the herd does not seem close to adequate compensation, and there was simply no reason for the officials responsible for all this not to have been in better contact with you.
My heart just aches for you over all this. You and the Morgans have been and continue to be in our prayers.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Karen, I’m sorry I’m late to add my comments, but just wanted you to know my thoughts are with you.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Peace.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I got brucellosis from a packing house i worked at for 28 years,in 2005.Have since been fired for not being able to work,am sueing workmans comp.which is a joke,gotten no help from the government,although i have sent letters to them all,am still unable to work,our governement is not government of the people anymore,it is a faction of the modern moffia.hate to see them do it to you too.They could at least kiss us before they do this kinda thing to us.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Dear Karen:
In the early 70’s our family’s large commercial herd here in Cascade County was found to have brucellosis. We were forced to quarantine then test and retest and retest at our own expense - then sell at ‘market’ to a packing plant the animals that were found positive. (This of course was virtually nothing considering that they were considered diseased and so worth zilch.)
Eventually my grandpa and dad could not afford to keep going - they just sold the entire herd to the packing plant – again at market or almost free. You can imagine what that did to finances. The family finally ended up having to sell virtually all of the land/ranches except for the one small mountain place that I have retained and now use recreationally. No government help at all in those days.
Our family thanks God that grandpa had the insight to have had another business going that kept the family afloat and still does.
Bangs darn near bankrupted us and certainly killed a lot of the heart in both grandpa and dad. It was an awful time for our entire family.
Not that I am saying that you all have had it easy…however I would like to point out that it could have been worse. I have raised registered Red Angus and know the joy and heartbreak of a valued line and years of selective breeding. Of falling in love with the beauty of your girls and their babies! (soft smile)
Please find strength, hold your head up, let others think what they will and know that this too will pass. Perhaps your loss will make a difference and a change for others down the road. I hope you will pass this on to the Morgans any others who have been affected by the entire fiasco.
I wish you and yours the very best,
ReAnn Rothwell
August 10th, 2007 at 10:46 am
This is a good case of the government overstepping their boundaries once AGAIN !! To let the source of the problem continue to roam free does little to solve the problem of the ranchers let alone their cattle…..
August 13th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
[…] President Stalin, your beef is ready Posted By: Mark Published in government, Rural issues 13Aug http://www.karbonkountymoos.com/2007/07/15/tarred-with-the-same-brush/ […]
September 30th, 2007 at 11:18 am
[…] I will be in Helena to meet with the Executive Branch. Does anyone have any questions (regarding brucellosis, please) that they’d like me to ask? […]
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:08 am
[…] I understood on May 18th that I was losing my heifer pairs. I read the law. I am not the only person who questions the scientific basis of that law. If livestock considered exposed to brucellosis must be slaughtered, so be it. But wildlife considered exposed to brucellosis are not slaughtered. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an epidemiologist to see that this does not make sense. […]