The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has issued an importation order for cattle and bison entering the state from designated surveillance areas in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming due to ongoing endemic brucellosis concerns.

“The Nebraska Department of Agriculture works hard to protect our state’s livestock industry,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “We feel it is important to have regulations in place to help safeguard our animals and protect the livelihood of our farmers and ranchers.”

According to state veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes, brucellosis can cause cattle and bison to abort or have premature calving.  Infected cows can also suffer from retained placenta and are often difficult to rebreed, sometimes becoming sterile.