Mont. board revives talk of 'split-state' plan

Associated Press - July 22, 2008 7:05 PM ET HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Plans for a separate cattle zone around Yellowstone National Park are back on the table at the Montana Department of Livestock as a way of dealing with the livestock disease brucellosis. The controversial plan was originally pitched by Gov. Brian Schweitzer. It was scuttled late last year amid criticism from the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Now the so-called "split-state status" is being revived by the Montana Board of Livestock. The group told the state veterinarian to investigate the idea as one possible solution to the livestock disease. Montana ranchers are about to lose their prized brucellosis-free status. It will now be more difficult for them to export cattle to other states. Schweitzer says the state needs to establish a more intensive management... [read full story]