Unusual topic, well done. How many of us city folk know anything about hoof and mouth disease. Thanks to this entry, I know a lot more. Seems the only solution at the time for infected animals was euthanizing entire herds of cattle and other hoofed animals. I don't know if that's still the case, but it appears the screenplay was based on historical fact, including Dr. Mohler who must supervise the state-wide (California) program. Convincing farmers and ranchers that this is the only solution was, of course, a huge challenge. Note how the ranchers' resistant anti-government rhetoric sounds very contemporary. Anyway, I like the way the production makes the killing personal through the little boy's grief over his pet calf. I also like the way the farmers really look like farmers. All in all, it's a persuasively mounted and well performed production, with a special kudo for tackling a non-commercial topic.
(In passing—the popular 1963 movie "Hud", starring Paul Newman, also dealt with the dramatics of destroying a cattle herd because of hoof and mouth.)