For Immediate Release
September 5, 2008
CONTACT: Steve Merritt
Public Information Officer
Montana Department ofLivestock
406-444-9431
MDOL Announces New On-Line Services
The Montana Department of Livestock has launched two new online eGovernment services that will help livestock producers save time and money.
Market permits and sheep transportation permits, which are required when moving cattle or sheep from ranch to market, can now be obtained online at marketpermit.mt.gov and sheeppermit.mt.gov.
"We're pretty excited," said Christian Mackay, executive officer for the Department of Livestock. "Historically, we haven't offered a lot of online services, and we think its something that can be better utilized to improve customer service."
Prior to launching online permitting, livestock producers and associated business owners had to obtain transportation permits in person from a local agent or permit writer. In some rural areas, livestock producers would have to travel miles to their local agent, costing them time and money, to have their permits issued.
"The new online services are fast and easy, and can be accessed from your home computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mackay said. "With gas at $4 and diesel at $5, every trip to town takes a little off the bottom line."
The online permits will cost producers $2.30 as compared to $1 for hand-written permits.
The online market and sheep transportation permit services are the result of a partnership between state government and the private sector. The systems were cooperatively developed and are supported by the Montana Department of Livestock, the Montana Department of Administration’s Information Technology Services Division, and Montana Interactive LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment provider NIC, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGOV).
Editor’s note: Business cards and posters with web addresses for the new online market and sheep transportation permits are available by calling MDOL’s public information office at 406/444-9431.
###
