Montana Department of Livestock Announces Animal Health Disease Preparedness Meetings
The Montana Department of Livestock is holding meetings across Montana to discuss emergency disease preparedness and response with livestock producers, veterinarians, and stakeholders. The detection of a disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease or African Swine Fever in the United States would result in substantial disruptions to the livestock industry in Montana. These meetings provide an opportunity for the Department to engage stakeholders, provide information regarding disease response, and to ensure that our state plans fit the unique structure of our industry. Anyone with connections to the livestock industry is encouraged to attend.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
| Date | Location | |
| Miles City | May 20, 2025; 3-5 pm | Sleep Inn, 1006 South Haynes Ave |
| Broadus | May 21, 2025; 10 am-noon | Community Center |
| Glendive | May 21, 2025; 3-5 pm | Holiday Inn |
| Columbus | May 22, 2025; 1-3 pm | Civic Center |
| Kalispell | June 11, 2025; 2-4 pm | Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 South |
| Cutbank | June 12, 2025; 1-3 pm | Glacier County Library 21 1st Ave SE |
| Lolo | June 28, 2025; 12:30-2 pm | Gerald Marks Exploration Center |
| Havre – CANCELLED | August 6, 2025; 1-3 pm | 4-H Chuckwagon |
| Glasgow – CANCELLED | August 7, 2025; 10am-noon | Cottonwood Inn and Suites |
| Lewistown – CANCELLED | August 8, 2025; 10 am-noon | Calvert Hotel |
In 2024, MDOL received a National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPREP) grant for the development of a statewide communication plan for use during a large-scale disease outbreak. NADPREP grants are supported through the 2018 Farm Bill.
The focus of the grant and the upcoming meetings is how the Department will handle a 72-hour national stop movement order for animals and animal products, as well as the subsequent resumption of movement. The purpose of a national standstill on animal movements is to allow time for state and federal animal health officials to determine the scope of an outbreak and get measures in place to reduce the risk of further disease spread.
Given the potential impacts of a stop movement on operations and businesses, and because of the potential for animal welfare concerns, discussion is needed to ensure a full understanding of potential issues.
“Montana’s livestock industry is as large and diverse as our state’s geography,” said Brenee Peterson, emergency preparedness veterinarian for the Department. “Our goal is to develop a state specific plan that includes consideration for how our industry functions and the high-level of connectivity we share with both regional and international partners.”
Meetings will include interactive discussion with attendees to identify specific challenges that will need to be addressed and resources and solutions that can be employed during a large-scale disease outbreak. The information collected will be combined into a statewide plan.
If you have any questions or would like to RSVP for any of the meetings, please contact Dr. Brenee Peterson at [email protected] or 406-444-9312.
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The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information, visit https://liv.mt.gov.
