EAST LANSING, MICH (AP) -- Several northern Michigan livestock producers are applying for financial help from the U.S. Agriculture Department to help stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Producers from 11 Michigan counties started the application process Monday.
The assistance applies for livestock producers in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Oscoda and Otsego counties.
A total of $500,000 in assistance is available.
Bovine tuberculosis is believed to be spread to livestock by wild deer. The disease causes severe coughing, fatigue, emaciation and debilitation in cattle.
State officials in April said bovine tuberculosis was confirmed in two Alpena County beef herds.
Producers can use the financial help for fencing and other practices to keep deer away from their livestock.
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