Montana Sheep Quarantine Lifted

October 5, 2007 - The sheep quarantine that the state livestock department imposed in 16 eastern Montana counties due to the presence of bluetongue is over. Sheep producers can move their animals to sale yards or elsewhere now that the quarantine is lifted.

Marty Zaluski, DVM, state veterinarian, said frosty nights have reduced the risk of gnats further spreading bluetongue. In September, he imposed a quarantine until October 9 but said he was able to lift the restriction early because of the cooler weather.

One big effect of the quarantine is that it restricted movement of sheep to sale yards at a time of year when ranchers expect to sell their lambs.

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