Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE),
Mad Cow Disease News Archive

July 2007
Japan, U.S. hold 2-day technical meeting on U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Japan and the U.S. began a two-day meeting on U.S. beef imports June 27 to exchange views as the U.S. calls for an easing of Japan's tough import restrictions. Japan only allows imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months old or younger, because Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy has not been detected in meat from young cattle. During the two-day closed, technical meeting, the U.S. will submit the data it provided to the animal health organization and Japan will examine it, ...
Japan lifts an export ban on shipments from California meatpack TOKYO (AP)--Japan lifted an export ban on a California meatpacker July 4 imposed earlier this year after the company sent a shipment that appeared to violate restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The ban was imposed in March after inspectors found a shipment from Jobbers that appeared to contain 188 boxes of beef sausage. Japan forbids the import of U.S. products such as sausage that contain processed beef under restrictions aimed at controlling the...
Eager customers and protesters greet U.S. beef at retail store At the same time, in a handful of stores, there were protests from those who still oppose U.S. beef imports, citing concerns about U.S. beef safety. U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to South Korea in 2003 reached 246,958 mt, or more than 544 million pounds, valued at nearly $816 million, and U.S. beef accounted for more than half of the beef consumption. Most reports were positive toward U.S. beef, which will help influence consumers with a neutral opinion to give U.S. beef a try.
Natural beef sales help partners profit The Ferris and Elliott families of Colorado have taken that idea to a higher level with the development of Colorado's Best Beef Co., a partnership that not only sells sides and quarters to individuals but delivers beef to retail establishments, sells cuts at seasonal farmers' markets, and offers wholesale food service products to dining establishments. The partnership began when the children in the Elliott family, who operate a small ranch near Boulder, wanted to become involved in 4-H. The ...
Nebraska Cattlemen appreciates delegation's trade letter to amb The Nebraska Cattlemen is letting members of the state's congressional delegation know that it appreciates a joint letter they sent June 6 to Ryozo Kato, Japan's ambassador to the U.S. The letter urged Japan to resume normal importation of beef from the U.S. as quickly as possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the spokesman for the state's beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 48 county and local cattlemen's ...
Japan lifts an export ban on shipments from California meatpack TOKYO (AP)--Japan lifted an export ban on a California meatpacker July 4 imposed earlier this year after the company sent a shipment that appeared to violate restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The ban was imposed in March after inspectors found a shipment from Jobbers that appeared to contain 188 boxes of beef sausage. Japan forbids the import of U.S. products such as sausage that contain processed beef under restrictions aimed at controlling the...

June 2007
South Korea bars beef from U.S. facility after finding banned b SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea said May 30 it has suspended beef imports from a U.S. meat processing plant after finding banned bone material--thought by Seoul to raise the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy--in a recent shipment. On May 30, the Agriculture Ministry said rib bones were found in two boxes of a 15.2-ton shipment that arrived May 25. The ministry suspended imports from the U.S. facility that processed the beef in that shipment. The U.S. has been urging South Korea to...
Japan says no immediate plans to relax conditions on U.S. beef Japan allows imports of U.S. beef only from cattle not more than 20 months old, citing concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, which is believed to be more likely to affect older animals. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns urged countries that import U.S. beef to review their policies after the decision in Paris. Japanese officials have been inspecting U.S. meatpackers that export beef to Japan to evaluate their compliance with restrictions Tokyo imposed over BSE concerns.
Government fights to keep meatpackers from testing for BSE A beef producer in Kansas, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, wants to test all of its cows. Larger meat companies feared that move because, if Creekstone should test its meat and advertised it as safe, they might have to perform the expensive tests on their larger herds as well. The USDA regulates the test and argued that widespread testing could lead to a false positive that would harm the meat industry.
South Korean housewives launch group to monitor U.S. beef SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--A group of South Korean housewives said June 12 it will start monitoring sales of U.S. beef amid a campaign to get the government to halt recently resumed American beef imports. The group will also check U.S. beef prices to see if they are indeed cheaper than South Korean beef as the government claims, Go said. The U.S. has been urging South Korea to further open its market, the third-largest U.S. beef destination after Japan and Mexico before the 2003 ban.
U.S. cattle producers urge full restoration of export markets f "U.S. cattle producers are pleased the OIE has voted to classify the United States as a 'controlled risk' country for BSE ," states NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Parker, who is in Paris for the meetings. Since BSE was first detected in the U. S. in December 2003, U.S. cattle producers have faced excessive trade barriers, with $4.8 billion in U.S. beef and beef product exports banned from international export markets. "International consumers are eager to enjoy U.S. beef products and...
South Korean housewives launch group to monitor U.S. beef SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--A group of South Korean housewives said June 12 it will start monitoring sales of U.S. beef amid a campaign to get the government to halt recently resumed American beef imports. The group will also check U.S. beef prices to see if they are indeed cheaper than South Korean beef as the government claims, Go said. The U.S. has been urging South Korea to further open its market, the third-largest U.S. beef destination after Japan and Mexico before the 2003 ban.
KCA represented at congressional field hearing On June 5, members of Congress held a field hearing in Salina to get a better idea as to the Kansas agriculture industry and the challenges producers face. As a fourth generation cow-calf producer, Robbins indicated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented rules that are detrimental to producers and that his biggest challenge as a producer is the current market structure. Our beef customers and producers want mandatory COOL implemented in the USA and deserve it," Robbins ...
Canada receives controlled risk rating from OIE The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is pleased that the World Organization for Animal Health, at its 75th General Session in Paris, France, has officially categorized Canada as a controlled risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The Government of Canada submitted a detailed application to the OIE in the fall of 2006 for the classification of controlled risk, based on its interlocking, multi-layered safeguards. The OIE approved a number of countries, including Canada and the ...
Farm bill hearing targets Kansas agriculture "With two of the three commodity safety net programs tied to price, it is fair to say that producers of commodity program crops should be well covered in low price environments."— The hearing, Etheridge said, was the last hearing of the subcommittee before its most important work of the year; the so-called "markup" of the commodity title of the 2007 farm bill. "The Congressional Budget Office indicates we are going to draft a farm bill with 43 percent fewer funds than the 2002 farm bill.

May 2007
U.S. trade official supports free-trade pact with South Korea WASHINGTON (AP)--A top Bush administration trade official defended a free-trade pact between the United States and South Korea as good for U.S. automakers and other companies in the face of keen skepticism in Congress. "This is the strongest automotive package that has existed in any free trade agreement," Karan Bhatia, deputy U.S. Trade Representative, told reporters in early April. South Korea currently sells more than 700,000 vehicles a year in the United States, while U.S. makers sell ...
U.S. beef clears key hurdle in South Korea GWACHEON, South Korea (AP)--South Korea's government said April 27 a shipment of U.S. beef that arrived in late April was safe, clearing a key hurdle after an import absence of more than three years due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy fears. The National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service made the announcement after inspecting the beef, which arrived April 23. South Korea banned U.S. beef after BSE was discovered in the United States in December 2003. South Korean beef farmers and ...
Salazar fights to protect key food safety labs Yet despite the Denver FDA lab's critical role in national security and the health of American livestock, the FDA has slated it for closure. The Denver FDA lab is a member lab of the Food Emergency Response Network, which ensures the safety and security of America's food supply from possible terrorist attack, and is the only full-service FERN lab nationwide the FDA is aiming to close. The Denver lab is the FDA's only lab to test the safety of all veterinary pharmaceuticals, ensuring the ...
Johanns comments on U.S. classification by OIE U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns issued a statement May 22 following the announcement by the World Organization for Animal Health of the U.S. classification as a controlled risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. "This classification confirms what we have always contended--that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S. fresh beef and beef products from cattle of all ages can be safely traded due to our interlocking safeguards," Johanns said. "In October 2006, ...
Cattlemen seek open beef trade with OIE backing A prestigious international body issued May 22 formal recognition that U.S. beef is safe for global trade--action that should open more markets to U.S. beef and beef products. With OIE confirming our long held position that our safeguards are sufficient, there is no legitimate scientific reason for any country in the world to deny their consumers access to U.S. beef," said TCFA Chairman Don McCasland. TCFA believes the ruling by the 167-nation OIE demonstrates there is no valid justification ...
Canada receives controlled risk rating from OIE The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is pleased that the World Organization for Animal Health, at its 75th General Session in Paris, France, has officially categorized Canada as a controlled risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The Government of Canada submitted a detailed application to the OIE in the fall of 2006 for the classification of controlled risk, based on its interlocking, multi-layered safeguards. The OIE approved a number of countries, including Canada and the ...
0528 NP Hesston jml A beef producer in Kansas, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, wants to test all of its cows. Larger meat companies feared that move because, if Creekstone should test its meat and advertised it as safe, they might have to perform the expensive tests on their larger herds as well. The USDA regulates the test and argued that widespread testing could lead to a false positive that would harm the meat industry.
Japan to inspect U.S. meatpackers exporting beef Japan banned American beef imports in December 2003. A handful of U.S. exporters have been banned from exporting beef to Japan due to various violations of its import conditions. Before the ban on American beef three years ago, Japan had been the top destination for U.S. beef, importing $1.4 billion worth a year.
A good addiction - tell your story I must admit when I heard the first news report I wondered why in the world a company would name an energy drink Cocaine. The company, Redux, has really benefited from all of the free advertising because after the FDA banned the name Cocaine they decided to rename it Censored. Editor's note: Trent Loos is a sixth generation United States farmer, host of the daily radio show, Loos Tales, and founder of Faces of Agriculture, a non-profit organization putting the human element back into the ...
May is beef month Beef cattle producers are in the process of sending cattle out on native grass pastures for the summer. Retired animal scientist, Frank Brazle compiled 20 years of grazing cattle research to determine the affect of starting weight, condition and sex on performance variability in grazing cattle. The steers gained 0.23 pounds per day more than calves, and steers with starting weights of 500 to 599 pounds gained more per day than their heavier contemporaries.
Japan to resume beef exports to Hong Kong after more than 5 yea Hong Kong's ban on Japanese beef will be lifted April 27, Shiro Inukai of the Livestock Industry Department with the Agriculture Ministry said. Hong Kong's decision to resume beef shipments came after a "thorough assessment" and an agreement that Japan would provide enhanced control measures against BSE , Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety said April 24, according to Inukai. Hong Kong will be the third destination to lift an import ban on Japanese beef after the United States and Canada, ...

April 2007
WSGA stresses weaknesses in USDA's proposed OTM rule The Wyoming Stock Growers Association has called upon the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to withdraw its proposed rule regarding Minimal Risk Regions for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy as published in the Federal Register on January 9. WSGA, the trade association for and voice of Wyoming's cattle producers and feeders since 1872, offered its comments on behalf of the association's 1,000-plus members. In its comments the association argued the March...
Wal-Mart-owned Seiyu to start selling U.S. beef in Japan TOKYO (AP)--Seiyu Ltd., the supermarket chain owned by Wal-Mart, said March 26 some of its stores will start selling U.S. beef at a time when most major retailers here are still worried about possible health hazards. Tokyo also limits imports to beef that has been through stringent checks at selected U.S. meat processing plants. The five Costco stores run by the Japan unit of U.S. warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale Corp., are selling U.S. beef, as are other smaller chains.
Trade mess And now a judge has ruled Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC, should be allowed to test 100 percent of its beef for BSE if it wishes to do so. Pending a final approval next month, the ruling means the U.S. regulatory controls are effective and U.S. cattle and products from cattle of all ages can be safely traded in accordance to international guidelines. As hard as trade representatives, industry groups and American companies have tried, some refuse to accept U.S. beef.
South Korea- Calling our bluff? Late last Saturday the U.S. Trade Representative struck a last minute trade deal with South Korea that has received, at best, a lukewarm reception on the Hill. The trade agreement in question would be the largest based on the size of the economies since the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. The elementary question here is what good is this agreement if South Korea continues to ban U.S. beef from entering their country?
R-CALF seeks to extend comment period on imports R-CALF USA sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to formally request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture extend the public comment period regarding the agency's proposal to allow imports of Canadian cattle over 30 months of age. "Due to the agency's lack of sufficient data to adequately assess the economic effects of the OTM Rule on the thousands of small entities represented by R-CALF USA's membership, substantially more time is needed than the current 60-day ...
More than 100 agricultural groups, sale barns sign joint letter March 13, more than 100 agricultural organizations and livestock auction yards from around the country sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders to seek help to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from implementing its proposed rule to allow Canadian cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age into the United States. "Canada's ongoing struggle with its Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy epidemic continues to disrupt international beef trade and continues to create hardships for the U.S. cattle ...
Federal judge rules Creekstone can test for BSE Judge Robertson noted that many other countries test large numbers of healthy-appearing cattle for BSE at slaughter and suggested that USDA's stated concerns about the conclusions consumers might draw from private BSE testing were not within USDA's statutory areas of responsibility. When Creekstone approached Bio-Rad about purchasing test kits from the company, it was informed that USDA only permitted BSE testing as part of USDA's official surveillance program and wouldn't permit the sale of...
Cattlemen- Independent and adversarial 'til death Protest movements have always found support from these naturally adversarial cattle ranchers, but the R-CALF group finally got the bright star to stand over them in 2003. The Ranchers-Cattlemen's Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) formed in the northwest ranch country and has opposed Canadian imports since its inception. Thanks to Canada not gaining control of BSE , and the U.S. luckily not having any substantial outbreak, R-CALF should be credited with the length of time the border remains closed ...
Washington, Tokyo agree on new inspections for U.S. beef export Citing concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Japan tightly controls U.S. beef imports, allowing cuts only from cattle 20 months old or younger. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and his Japanese counterpart agreed in a phone call that inspectors in Japan would be allowed to certify the safety of selected American plants exporting to their country, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasushisa Shiozaki. A group of two dozen U.S. senators is urging U.S. President George W. Bush to ...
Source and age verification As the marketplace continues to demand exact animal traceability to satisfy consumer demands, producers who have enrolled in a Kansas Farm Bureau program like Beef Verification Solution will be positioned to cash in on these market opportunities. This export-verification program calls for all USDA-marketed beef to Japan to also be part of a quality-system assessment (QSA) or process-verified program (PVP). For any producer thinking about selling source and age verification, the first step is...
Source, age verification important part of BVS program As the marketplace continues to demand exact animal traceability to satisfy consumer demands, producers who have enrolled in a Kansas Farm Bureau program like Beef Verification Solution will be positioned to cash in on these market opportunities. This export-verification program calls for all USDA-marketed beef to Japan to also be part of a quality-system assessment (QSA) or process-verified program (PVP). For any producer thinking about selling source and age verification, the first step is...
First shipment of U.S. beef since last year arrives in South Ko SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--The first shipment of American beef in more than four months arrived in South Korea April 23 after Seoul agreed to take a softer stance in its tough anti-bovine spongiform encephalopathy regulations and a U.S. meat packer tightened its inspections. Three earlier shipments of American beef were rejected by South Korea late last year for failing import regulations. South Korea said it would continue to ban U.S. beef containing bone fragments, but agreed to only reject ...
Feds won't take Lexington plant off authorized export list LINCOLN, Nebraska (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture has denied a Japanese request to remove a Nebraska processing plant from a list of plants authorized to export beef to Japan. In February, Japan stopped beef imports from a Lexington processing plant operated by Tyson Foods Inc., after finding boxes of beef that had not been verified as from cattle 20 months old or younger, as required by Japan. Earlier this month, Japan ordered imports halted from Cargill Meat Solutions in Dodge City...
Cow imported into U.S. was in same herd as infected cow The cow was slaughtered in Nebraska before it was 30 months old and showed no signs of the brain-wasting disease, said Karen Eggert, a spokeswoman for the Animal and Plant Inspection Service. Older animals carry a higher risk of BSE . Meat from the animal probably entered the food supply, Eggert said, but is at "negligible" risk of having posed a threat to animal or human health.
Cow imported into U.S. was in same herd as infected cow The cow was slaughtered in Nebraska before it was 30 months old and showed no signs of the brain-wasting disease, said Karen Eggert, a spokeswoman for the Animal and Plant Inspection Service. Older animals carry a higher risk of BSE . Meat from the animal probably entered the food supply, Eggert said, but is at "negligible" risk of having posed a threat to animal or human health.
astings slaughterhouse faces fines for alleged safety violations OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--Four months after beef from a Hastings slaughterhouse was rejected in South Korea over fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the slaughterhouse owner faces $180,900 in fines related to 37 alleged safety and health violations. Steve Sands, CEO of Premium Protein, said April 10 the company learned of the alleged violations a few days ago and will meet with OSHA officials in mid-April. Efforts to resume limited imports hit a snag over the discovery of banned bone chips, ...
Wal-Mart-owned Seiyu to start selling U.S. beef in Japan TOKYO (AP)--Seiyu Ltd., the supermarket chain owned by Wal-Mart, said March 26 some of its stores will start selling U.S. beef at a time when most major retailers here are still worried about possible health hazards. Tokyo also limits imports to beef that has been through stringent checks at selected U.S. meat processing plants. The five Costco stores run by the Japan unit of U.S. warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale Corp., are selling U.S. beef, as are other smaller chains.
South Korea, U.S. to extend beef talks The talks are aimed at bridging gaps in the agricultural component of ongoing free trade talks between the two countries as well as over U.S. beef, which has been absent from South Korean markets for more than three years. South Korea banned American beef after Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy was discovered in the United States in December 2003. South Korea agreed to resume limited imports of U.S. beef last year, but stipulated that only boneless beef from cows under 30 months of age be ...
RMFU board opposes further opening border to Canadian cattle im Meeting in Denver recently, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Board of Directors expressed strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's pending rule to expand imports of beef and live cattle from Canada. USDA currently has limited importation of Canadian beef from cattle younger than 30 months of age, due to numerous cases of BSE -positive cattle. "The importation of Canadian cattle and co-mingling with U.S. cattle and beef could be highly detrimental to U.S. beef producers.
Nebraska producers examine Asian markets for U.S. meat That's the consensus of three Nebraska producers who have spent a week in Japan and Taiwan attending the U.S. Meat Export Federation Market Expo. Included in the group were pork producer Troy McCain of DeWitt, beef producer David McCracken of Friend and Nebraska corn Board farmer-director David Merrell of St. Edward. Australia has a strong presence in the Japanese beef market, but Merrell said Japanese consumers prefer U.S. corn fed beef.
Federal judge rules Creekstone can test for BSE U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled March 29 that the Arkansas City, Kan., meatpacker must be allowed to test its cattle for BSE . The case began when Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC, began plans to test its meat for BSE so that it could continue to export beef to Japan, which had stopped importing U.S. beef after the first case of BSE was found in the states in December 2003. The company repeatedly stated that while it has every confidence that U.S. beef is safe, it should have ...
USDA extends BSE testing at Washington State veterinary college "Reports circulated in the media a few months ago that stated the WSU laboratory was shutting down," said Terry McElwain, executive director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at WSU. Of 759,000 animals tested, only two other infected cows were found after the initial BSE scare, proving the disease is extremely rare, the USDA said. a href="http://www.hpj.com/bsetimeline.cfm" style="text-decoration: none;">BSE disease is a chronic, degenerative disease of the brain and ...
Japan halts import from Kansas meat plant for lack of paperwork TOKYO (AP)--Japan ordered imports halted from a major meat plant in Kansas April 6 after a beef shipment arrived without proper papers, the third American meatpacker that's had some exports to Japan stopped for technical violations. Before the ban on American beef three years ago, Japan had been the top destination for U.S. beef, importing $1.4 billion worth a year. Japan limits imports of beef that has been through stringent checks at selected U.S. meat processing plants, but still imports ...

March 2007
South Korea and U.S. hold talks on beef imports as free trade d SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea and the United States began talks March 19 on banned bone fragments in American beef shipments and other agriculture issues, officials said, part of efforts to clinch a free trade deal by the end of this month. In addition to beef, ongoing efforts by the U.S. and South Korea to forge a free trade agreement will be on the agenda, said an official at South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, who would not allow his name to be used, citing the ...
R-CALF- USDA should withdraw OTM rule "Half of Canada's detected BSE cases so far have been born after its feed ban was established, clearly demonstrating that the feed ban has not prevented subsequent cases of BSE in Canada and proving that USDA's OTM rule will increase the risk of introducing BSE -infected cattle into the United States," said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. In a region in which BSE has been detected, if an animal with BSE was born after a feed ban was implemented, it is a sign that the feed ban may not be ...
Japan to suspend shipments from California meatpacker The Ministries of Health and Agriculture said inspectors at the port of Kobe found 188 boxes of beef sausage in a shipment sent by Jobbers Meat Packing Co., among a 1,108-box shipment of sausages made from chicken, turkey and pork. Last month Japan said it would suspend beef imports from a Nebraska processing plant after finding meat in a shipment that violated a regulation imposed over BSE concerns. Plant owner Tyson Foods Inc. said the boxes of beef were mistakenly included in a shipment ...
U.S. red meat exports continued to increase in 2006 The year-end numbers for U.S. meat exports for 2006 don't lie--they show continued record breaking in U.S. pork export volume for the 15th year, rebounding U.S. beef exports and increasing totals of U.S. lamb exports. The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports to countries around the world totaled 1.26 million metric tons (mt), a 9 percent increase over the previous year. Mexico led all markets in volume of U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports at 356,...
U.S. negotiator says approval of free trade deal with South Kor SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--The chief U.S. negotiator in free trade talks with South Korea expressed optimism March 8 that a deal can soon be reached, but warned that the U.S. Congress will never ratify it unless existing restrictions on American beef imports are completely removed. South Korea is the seventh largest trading partner for the U.S. Bilateral trade totaled $72 billion in 2005. U.S. lawmakers, including Max Baucus, a pro-trade senator from Montana, have blasted South Korea over the ...
Regional BSE testing laboratory at Washington State to close PULLMAN, Wash. (AP)--The only bovine spongiform encephalopahty testing laboratory in the Pacific Northwest will close March 1, just over three years after a Yakima Valley dairy cow tested positive for the chronic brain-wasting disease. The BSE lab is basically one room inside the Washington State University's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, one of seven state laboratories conducting testing for USDA, WSU spokesman Charlie Powell said. a href="http://www.hpj.com/bsetimeline.cfm" style="...
Japan to check all imports of U.S. processed meat for beef On March 2, Japan suspended imports from Jobbers Meat Packing Co. after a 1,108-box shipment was found to include two types of sausages in 188 boxes that listed beef as an ingredient. Japan bans the import of U.S. meat products such as sausage that contain processed beef under restrictions aimed at controlling the threat of BSE . Last month Japan said it would suspend beef imports from a Nebraska processing plant after finding meat in a shipment that violated a regulation imposed over BSE ...
Agriculture important part of Doha talks Agriculture plays a huge role in the success of the president's trade negotiations according to U. S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. Reauthorization of the Trade Promotion Authority is key to getting the trade negotiations completed and being able to work toward free trade agreements with countries like Korea and Malaysia as well as others. So as agriculture awaits a farm bill and trade policy, Schwab said a breakthrough might be near on the Doha round of the World Trade Organization.
Japan to suspend shipments from California meatpacker The Ministries of Health and Agriculture said inspectors at the port of Kobe found 188 boxes of beef sausage in a shipment sent by Jobbers Meat Packing Co., among a 1,108-box shipment of sausages made from chicken, turkey and pork. Last month Japan said it would suspend beef imports from a Nebraska processing plant after finding meat in a shipment that violated a regulation imposed over BSE concerns. Plant owner Tyson Foods Inc. said the boxes of beef were mistakenly included in a shipment ...

February 2007
South Korea, U.S. beef talks in February The official said the two sides will deal with the issue of "bone fragments," which South Korea fears could potentially harbor bovine spongiform encephlaopathy. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler said earlier this month that the proposed free trade deal wouldn't be achieved unless South Korea fully reopened its market to American beef. South Korea barred U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of BSE .
Japan rebuffs U.S. requests for early talks on U.S. beef After meeting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns in Washington earlier in January, Japan's Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka said Japan was still conducting "deliberations" on the safety of U.S. beef. Japan must also conduct an audit of American beef plants, study the results and make the information available to the public. Japan banned U.S. beef imports for 2 1/2 years because of fears about bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Tokyo also limits imports to beef that has been ...
Beef war game on! The long suffering beef checkoff is back on the table and the foes of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) may have finally maneuvered a place at the trough. --NCBA, based in Denver, which willed the $1 per head producer funded research, promotion and advertising program into existence over 20 years ago and has a strong relationship with the Cattlemen's Beef Board and USDA. If NCBA forms a coalition with LMA and/or R-CALF USA, then they may save ...
Japan to ban NE plant's beef The Ministries of Health and Agriculture said inspectors at the port of Yokohama found two boxes of rib meat in a shipment sent by U.S. agricultural giant Tyson Food Inc. from its plant in Lexington, Neb., that were not recorded in the accompanying shipping documents. U.S. officials have told Japan the boxes were erroneously included in the shipment, the statement said. The ministries decided to suspend shipments from the processing plant until Japan can obtain further information from U.S. ...
CSU College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates 100 years Now a worldwide hub for infectious disease research and home to the world's largest animal cancer research center, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences boasts numerous firsts that highlight the history of the college since its establishment. The college houses four academic departments: the Department of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Clinical Sciences; Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences; and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and ...
Beef producers tell it like it is A new beef checkoff-funded website tells the beef production story--often in the words of beef producers themselves. The site, www.BeefFromPastureToPlate.org, covers the entire production chain, from gestation to dinner presentation, and features producer profiles, a live "Ask a Producer" page, fact sheets, recipes, safety tips and even beef trivia. The website gives beef producers, along with other segments of the beef production chain, an opportunity to share their heart-felt passion for ...
U.S., South Korea fail to bridge gap over beef ban Agriculture officials from the two countries met for two days of "technical consultations" requested by Washington over South Korea's rejection of U.S. beef imports for containing banned bone fragments. South Korea banned all imports of U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The U.S. has defended the safety of American beef and accused South Korea of using the issue of bone fragments to impose an unofficial import ban.
Cattle farmers protest as South Korean, U.S. officials discuss SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--Cattle farmers protested Feb. 7 as U.S. and South Korean officials discussed easing restrictions on imports of American beef, an issue Washington says threatens to scuttle a possible free trade agreement. About 30 South Korean farmers chanted "No U.S. beef, no more talks" and burned an effigy of a U.S. cow painted with anti-free trade slogans in Anyang, just south of Seoul, the site of the two-day talks. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler, Washington's ...
U.S., Korean beef talks soon The meeting, described as a "technical consultation," was requested by U.S. officials and comes as the two sides are at odds over the bone fragment issue, which South Korea fears could potentially harbor bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler said in January that the proposed free trade deal would not be achieved unless South Korea fully reopened its market to American beef. South Korea barred U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first reported U.S...
Producer paid for Canadian cattle sent to Swift The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association was pleased to learn that Jan Van Dyke, Wessington Springs, was recently paid for Canadian cattle that had been condemned at a Swift packing plant in Nebraska. Van Dyke, a farmer/feeder, says the calves were not represented as Canadian cattle at the market where he purchased them in February 2006. Although we had not known that they were Canadian cattle, we recognized the eartags that were shown to us by the inspector after the cattle were received ...
Meat exports help pork producers Increasing profitability of beef, pork and lamb by enhancing the demand for the product is the goal of the United States Meat Export Federation. "The future includes more work with branded products including generic brands, store brands, breed brands, geographic brands, natural brands and private brands," said Caspers. He reminded attendees that the USMEF continues to work to expand meat exports markets because it provides a better market for U.S. red meat.
Deputy ag boss gets earful from R-CALF USA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner told the group that keeping the U.S. beef market competitive to help producers get a fair price is a priority and that beef trade should be based on the Golden Rule. When 45 countries closed their borders to U.S. beef, $4 billion in trade has since been lost, Conner said. Conner said anyone who cares about animals can benefit from the now voluntary animal ID system, but those whose livelihoods depend on animal agriculture have the greatest stake.
The animal's carcass is under CFIA control, and no part of it entered the human food or animal feed systems. Preliminary information indicates that the age of the animal falls well within the age range of previous cases detected in Canada under the national BSE surveillance program. The finding of a mature animal should not impact Canada's BSE country categorization submission to the World Organization for Animal Health.

January 2007
The marvels of science I had scheduled a meeting with Dr. Matt Wheeler at the University of Illinois to discuss cloning of food animals. And likewise the story about genetic modification of beef animals to eliminate a disease that people are so freaked out about? The CDC reports that rabies annually still kills 50,000 people worldwide and 10 million people receive post-exposure vaccinations against the disease.
South Korea rejects beef talks SEOUL (AP)--South Korea has rejected a U.S. request to discuss American beef and poultry imports in late December as part of broader free trade talks, calling the forum inappropriate. "Recently, the U.S. asked that American beef imports and the easing of import bans on poultry products during bird flu outbreaks be discussed in this week's session," the ministry said. South Korea and the U.S. have been at odds since Seoul rejected all three shipments of U.S. beef that have arrived since the ...
Scientists develop prion-free cows SAN FRANCISCO (AP)--Scientists have genetically engineered a dozen cows to be free from the proteins that cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a breakthrough that may make the animals immune to the brain-wasting disease. "This research is a huge step forward for the use of animal biotechnology that benefits consumers," said Barbara Glenn of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a Washington, D.C., industry group that includes the company that sponsored the research as a member. The ...
Japan restaurants want more U.S. beef Though Tokyo eased a 2 1/2 year blanket ban on U.S. beef in July, lingering trade restrictions over fears of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy has meant only a trickle of U.S. beef has made it back into the country. Less than 30 percent of restaurants that used U.S. beef in 2003 before the ban now serve the meat, according to a recent JFSA poll of 130 steak, beef rice bowl and grilled beef restaurant chains across the country. Tokyo has also limited imports to beef that has been through ...
Illegal Canadian cattle discovered in the U.S. The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association hopes the U.S. Department of Agriculture will take the necessary steps to remedy a loss of revenue for a South Dakota producer who unknowingly purchased Canadian feeder cattle, says SDSGA President Rick Fox. The fact that these calves showed up at a salebarn in South Dakota, were allowed to intermingle with U.S. cattle, and were not represented as Canadian cattle, indicates that USDA is not monitoring the very system it created." Fox said that SDSGA ...
R-CALF appeals court decision The Brief claims that in August 2006, the District Court ruled against R-CALF USA's request for a permanent injunction only because the District Court incorrectly concluded that the 9th Circuit already had resolved the merits of R-CALF USA's entire case. The Brief, however, explains that in addition to 1,000 pages of the Administrative Record filed by USDA after the preliminary injunction proceedings, R-CALF USA and USDA each filed approximately 100 pages of additional briefs and hundreds of...
U.S., Korea talks likely delayed SEOUL (AP)--The U.S. is likely to delay talks with South Korea on a dispute over Seoul's rejection of U.S. beef shipments, an official said Jan. 7, as a survey showed more than a third of South Korean consumers associate U.S. beef with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The two sides had planned to meet in Seoul Jan. 8 and 9 to discuss South Korea's decision to turn back all three recent shipments of U.S. beef citing they contained banned bone fragments that Seoul fears could potentially ...
USDA seeks to allow more imports from Canada The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Jan. 4 announced a proposal to expand the list of allowable imports from countries recognized as presenting a minimal risk of introducing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy into the United States. The proposal expands upon a rule published by APHIS in January 2005 that allowed the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant products, including cattle under 30 months of age for delivery to a slaughterhouse or...
South Korea, U.S. to discuss beef The talks scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9 in Seoul come weeks after South Korea rejected all three recent shipments of American beef because of bone fragments that South Korea fears could potentially harbor bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Adding to the woes of the U.S. cattle industry, South Korean officials said they discovered unacceptable levels of the dioxin in the third American beef shipment. Imports resumed in October last year, but American beef has never reached South Korean consumers ...
Ag leader Ament to retire from public service "Serving as Colorado agriculture's principal advocate has been the most rewarding part of my career," Ament said. In the Senate, Ament served as Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, he chaired the Capitol Development Committee and served on the Senate Education Committee. Ament served as president of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture and chairman of the Natural Resources Committee of the National Association of State Departments of ...
South Korea, U.S. differ on dioxin SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea and the United States traded questions Dec. 22 over a shipment of U.S. beef found to have included dioxin levels exceeding South Korea's norm, officials said. The discovery was the latest bad news for the U.S. cattle industry in South Korea, already dealing with the rejection of three recent shipments of beef for including banned bone fragments, which South Korea fears could potentially harbor bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Seoul has asked Washington to...
Japan mulls meatpacker errors TOKYO (AP)--Japanese government officials Dec. 7 began assessing a U.S. government report recommending corrective steps to be taken by a U.S. meatpacker that made a shipment last month without proper documentation, an official said. The "inappropriate shipment" originated from the plant's offal department where sorting of offal products was taking place, Japan's Agriculture Ministry said on its website, citing a report by the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. ...

December 2006
U.S. cattle producers finally see action in re-opening of Russi The official signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Russia means U.S. beef has regained access to the Russian market, effective immediately pending a plant audit tour by Russian inspectors. After site visits from a Russian audit team, the market will immediately open to U.S. boneless beef, bone-in beef and beef variety meats from cattle under 30 months of age with an approved export certificate. "In 2003, Russia was the fifth largest export market for U.S. beef ...
South Korea bars Creekstone beef South Korea said it will refuse further beef shipments from Kansas meat packer Creekstone Farms Premium Beef after finding a 10-millimeter bone shard in a shipment from the plant. SEOUL (AP)--South Korea said Nov. 24 it would suspend imports of U.S. beef from a Kansas slaughterhouse after government inspectors found a tiny piece of bone in a shipment. South Korea, which had banned U.S. beef for almost three years over bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears, in September said it would allow ...
Iowa BSE lab procedures OK AMES, Iowa (AP)--A U.S. government lab properly disposed of waste from animals used in bovine spongiform encephalopathy research but should take further precautions to safeguard the city's water supply, a panel of scientists said. The eight-person panel investigated complaints that the National Animal Disease Center failed to properly treat the waste--including necropsy waste from animals that died of infectious diseases such as BSE and chronic wasting disease--before it was sent to the city'...
Government won't make animal IDs mandatory after all WASHINGTON (AP)--The Bush administration is abandoning plans to make farmers and ranchers register their cows, pigs and chickens in a nationwide database intended to help limit disease outbreaks. Faced with widespread opposition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Nov. 22 the animal tracking program should remain voluntary. "Really embracing this as a voluntary program will help the trust issues that some farmers and ranchers have raised about the national animal identification system," ...
U.S. tries again to increase cattle imports from Canada WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture is again trying to increase cattle and beef imports from Canada, reviving a plan that had stalled amid evidence that Canada's safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy were not working. The only known way for cattle to get the disease is by eating feed containing diseased cattle tissue, a practice largely outlawed in Canada and the United States in 1997. Canada found its first case of BSE in May 2003, prompting the U.S. to impose ...
U.S. seeks South Korea beef talks The U.S. is expected to call for lowering the South's quarantine standards at the talks that have yet to be scheduled, said the official with South Korea's Agriculture Ministry, requesting anonymity citing protocol. Imports resumed in October, but American beef has never reached South Korean consumers because quarantine authorities rejected all shipments that have arrived so far for containing tiny bone fragments. South Korea barred U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the first reported...
South Korea rejects beef talks SEOUL (AP)--South Korea has rejected a U.S. request to discuss American beef and poultry imports in late December as part of broader free trade talks, calling the forum inappropriate. "Recently, the U.S. asked that American beef imports and the easing of import bans on poultry products during bird flu outbreaks be discussed in this week's session," the ministry said. South Korea and the U.S. have been at odds since Seoul rejected all three shipments of U.S. beef that have arrived since the ...
South Korea finds more bone pieces SEOUL (AP)--South Korea said Dec. 6 it has found banned bone pieces in a third shipment of U.S. beef and will suspend imports from the U.S. slaughterhouse that processed the meat. Seven bone pieces were found in the 10.2-ton shipment of American beef that arrived in South Korea on Dec. 1, said Kim Yang-il, an official of the country's agriculture ministry. The two other U.S. slaughterhouses where the shipments of meat with bone pieces were processed were also suspended from handling meat ...
R-CALF- 9th Circuit denies USDA's request to dismiss case R-CALF USA filed litigation against USDA in January 2005, claiming the agency's Final Rule on "Minimal Risk Regions: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and the Importation of Commodities," which relaxed long-standing import restrictions for countries affected by BSE, was inadequate to protect the U.S. cattle industry from the introduction of BSE from Canada. R-CALF USA must file its opening brief by Dec. 11, and USDA's reply brief is due Jan. 10, 2007, exactly two years after R-CALF USA filed ...
MCA holds annual convention and trade show "The state of the beef industry today is exceptional," Mike John, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president said. Mike John is a Missouri cattleman himself and former president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. In his report at the Missouri Cattlemen's Association annual meeting John Kleiboeker, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC), outlined a new research project funded by the checkoff.
Japan restaurants want more U.S. beef Though Tokyo eased a 2 1/2 year blanket ban on U.S. beef in July, lingering trade restrictions over fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy has meant only a trickle of U.S. beef has made it back into the country. Less than 30 percent of restaurants that used U.S. beef in 2003 before the ban now serve the meat, according to a recent JFSA poll of 130 steak, beef rice bowl and grilled beef restaurant chains across the country. Tokyo has also limited imports to beef that has been through ...
Montana Stockgrowers applaud Baucus for leadership The Montana Stockgrowers Association applauds Senator Max Baucus for his leadership in negotiating with South Korea and pushing to open its markets to Montana beef. Four top Montana Stockgrowers officials met with South Korean trade leaders during Sunday's (Dec. 3) gathering at Gallatin Gateway Inn, expressing concerns that trade barriers against U.S. beef aren't science based and arguing that American beef is safe. Senator Baucus has also stated that any Free Trade Agreement with South Korea...
U.S. tries again to increase cattle imports from Canada WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture is again trying to increase cattle and beef imports from Canada, reviving a plan that had stalled amid evidence that Canada's safeguards against bovine spongiform encephalopathy were not working. The only known way for cattle to get the disease is by eating feed containing diseased cattle tissue, a practice largely outlawed in Canada and the United States in 1997. Canada found its first case of BSE in May 2003, prompting the U.S. to impose ...
South Korea rejects more U.S. beef SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea said Dec. 1 it would suspend imports of beef from a U.S. slaughterhouse after inspectors found three bone fragments in a shipment, a violation of an agreement related to bovine spongiform encepahlopathy. The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said the shipment containing the bone fragments originated from Premium Protein Products LLC in Hastings, a beef processing plant in Nebraska. South Korea, which had banned U.S. beef for almost three ...
South Korea finds more bone pieces SEOUL (AP)--South Korea said Dec. 6 it has found banned bone pieces in a third shipment of U.S. beef and will suspend imports from the U.S. slaughterhouse that processed the meat. Seven bone pieces were found in the 10.2-ton shipment of American beef that arrived in South Korea on Dec. 1, said Kim Yang-il, an official of the country's agriculture ministry. The two other U.S. slaughterhouses where the shipments of meat with bone pieces were processed were also suspended from handling meat ...
NCBA- Halt South Korean beef trade WASHINGTON (AP)--Cattle ranchers want the U.S. government to halt beef trade with South Korea because the country is blocking shipments from a meatpacker in Kansas. During the previous week, South Korea suspended imports from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef because authorities said they found a bone fragment in boneless beef. U.S. beef shipments had resumed only recently, after lengthy negotiations with South Korea, which banned U.S. beef after the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy...
Iowa beef producers on trade mission to Japan Three Iowans representing Iowa's beef industry on a beef trade mission to Japan in November, report that Japanese beef consumers and buyers are ready for supplies of U.S. beef to return to 2003 levels. Response to beef promotions conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show that many Japanese consumers prefer the taste and quality of U.S. beef over that currently supplied by Australia. "We visited five importers and wholesale companies, and all expressed the desire for U.S. beef exports...
DLP starts anti-U.S. beef campaign SEOUL (AP)--A left-leaning South Korean opposition party launched a campaign Nov. 14 to buy up and destroy U.S. beef, expected to go on sale soon now that a three-year import ban has been lifted. South Korea shut its doors to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of BSE. In September this year, South Korea reached full agreement with the U.S. to reopen its market to American beef.
Digging up bones The proverbial "other shoe" dropped in the ongoing saga of U.S. beef trade with South Korea. South Korea's baseless rejection of U.S. beef resulted in strong criticisms from the U.S. beef industry, members of Congress, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, the agreement reached between the United States and South Korea to resume U.S. beef trade was inadequate and full of risk.
Ag secretary criticizes S. Korea for rejecting U.S. beef shipment WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns criticized South Korea for halting beef shipments from a U.S. meatpacker, saying authorities there had "invented" a standard for imports. The country was a major buyer of U.S. beef, purchasing more than $1.2 billion in beef products in the year before the ban, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In late November, South Korea suspended imports from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef because authorities said they found a bone ...

November 2006
U.S. beef arrives in S. Korea SEOUL (AP)--The first shipment of U.S. beef in nearly three years arrived in South Korea Oct. 30 after the country lifted an import ban triggered by fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the Agriculture Ministry said. South Korea shut its doors to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of BSE. The main problems were that some of the U.S. slaughterhouses designated to handle meat for export to South Korea either didn't separate American and foreign beef, or...
Trade on deck It was likely prompted by the fact that a number of lawmakers would not support a U.S.-South Korea FTA without the resumption of U.S. beef trade in advance. It will be impossible for Congress to approve a bilateral trade agreement with South Korea without real forward movement towards beef trade resumption. USTR and folks in the U.S. Department of Agriculture are taking note of the lesson from the situation in South Korea and have been firm in their support for U.S. beef trade.
Japan finds 30th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan's Agriculture Ministry said Nov. 13 that it confirmed that a cow from northern Japan had the country's 30th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Tests on the five-year-old dairy cow performed at the National Institute of Animal Health confirmed that the cow, which died at a ranch on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, was infected with the fatal illness. Japan has now confirmed 30 animals infected with the fatal illness since the first case in Japan was detected in...
DLP starts anti-U.S. beef campaign SEOUL (AP)--A left-leaning South Korean opposition party launched a campaign Nov. 14 to buy up and destroy U.S. beef, expected to go on sale soon now that a three-year import ban has been lifted. South Korea shut its doors to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of BSE. In September this year, South Korea reached full agreement with the U.S. to reopen its market to American beef.
Japan finds 30th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan's Agriculture Ministry said Nov. 13 that it confirmed that a cow from northern Japan had the country's 30th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Tests on the five-year-old dairy cow performed at the National Institute of Animal Health confirmed that the cow, which died at a ranch on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, was infected with the fatal illness. Japan has now confirmed 30 animals infected with the fatal illness since the first case in Japan was defected in...
U.S. beef arrives in S. Korea SEOUL (AP)--The first shipment of U.S. beef in nearly three years arrived in South Korea Oct. 30 after the country lifted an import ban triggered by fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the Agriculture Ministry said. South Korea shut its doors to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the first reported U.S. case of BSE. The main problems were that some of the U.S. slaughterhouses designated to handle meat for export to South Korea either didn't separate American and foreign beef, or...
Colombia, Peru open markets to U.S. beef U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab on Nov. 3 applauded the recent actions by Colombia and Peru to lift their BSE-related bans on U.S. beef and beef product imports. "We are very pleased to see the Peruvian and Colombian markets reopened to U.S. beef and beef products. The reopening of these two markets restores two-thirds of the market access for U.S. beef and beef products in South America.

October 2006
South Dakota Stockgrowers' annual convention successful The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association again hosted one of the best cattle industry events in the region--the SDSGA Annual Convention, Sept. 14 and 15 in Spearfish. SDSGA President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., recalled Vince's lifelong devotion to the cattle industry. SDSGA Past President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap; President Rick Fox, Vice President Larry Nelson, Buffalo, and Executive Director Carrie Stadheim, Rapid City, thanked Smith for her dedication and passion for the betterment of the ...
Reader- USDA should be blamed, not thanked for BSE mess So, Seymour Kleirly thinks that we beef producers owe a debt of gratitude to USDA and our trade representatives for the partial reopening of the Asian beef trade after three years of closure. Then to add insult to injury, Ag Secretary Mike (beef prices are too high) Johanns and our (import at any cost) trade reps compounded our export problems by opening up our trade with Canada too soon. Japan tests all of their beef for BSE, South Korea wants no Canadian beef--to which USDA and our trade ...
Nebraska Corn Board works for increased U.S. beef exports to th Using a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emerging Markets Program, the Nebraska Corn Board helped co-sponsor a weeklong workshop in the U.S. for the Chief Veterinary Officers and other animal health officials of several Caribbean countries. In addition to the Nebraska Corn Board, workshop sponsors included the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Farm Bureau. "The meetings in Washington D.C. and in Nebraska provided us with a ...
Exports dominated an eventful year, TCFA chairman tells cattlemen "The single most critical issue facing our industry since December 2003 has been the reopening of our major export destinations for beef," said John Gillcrist, chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. "Beef exports represented 10 percent of annual production when the U.S. experienced its first BSE case in late December 2003. And a 10 percent loss in market share is significant, he told members of TCFA and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association during a joint session ...
U.S. beef gets mixed reaction Yoshinoya, which runs 1,000 restaurants nationwide, couldn't bring the beef bowl back before the day billed as "Resurrection Festival for the Beef Bowl" because of difficulties in getting a sufficient beef supply. Ahead of its ban, South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for American beef, after Japan and Mexico, importing US$815 million in beef and beef products. In 2005, Australia exported a record 405,000 tons of beef to Japan worth around $1.8 billion (U.S.) and 106,000 tons of...
Japan suspects 29th BSE case Preliminary tests on the animal at the Ishikari Livestock Hygiene Service Center in Hokkaido prefecture (state) on Japan's northernmost main island were positive, said Hokkaido official Hiroyuki Takeuchi. To date, Japan has confirmed 28 animals infected with the fatal illness since the first case in Japan was detected in 2001. In July, Japan eased the ban, with U.S. beef hitting some retailers' shelves the following month.
Japan's expected 2006 U.S. beef imports a fraction of old level He said the trade group would boost its campaign to draw consumers back to U.S. beef. Japan used to be the most lucrative market for U.S. beef exporters. Though Tokyo eased its two-year blanket ban on U.S. beef in July, the lingering trade restrictions and a resulting supply crunch has meant only a trickle of U.S. beef has made it back into the country. Japan imposed a blanket ban on U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first reported case of mad cow disease in the U.S. herd.
U.S. beef unavailable in Japanese stores TOKYO (AP)--It's been weeks since Japan ditched its import ban on U.S. beef and the first shipment went on sale, but American beef is nowhere to be seen at supermarkets here--except this nation's five Costco stores. Costco Wholesale Japan Inc., a unit of U.S. warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale Corp., is one exception in pushing American beef. The other high-profile enthusiast for U.S. beef is fast-food chain Yoshinoya D&C Co., which made its fortune on the beef bowl, a serving of hot rice ...
Japan imported 105 tons of U.S. beef in August, first month aft Though Tokyo eased its two-year blanket ban on U.S. beef in July, the lingering trade restrictions and a resulting supply crunch has meant only a trickle of U.S. beef has made it back into the country. Japan imposed a blanket ban on U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first reported case of BSE in a U.S. herd. It eased the ban in July after U.S. and Japanese officials hammered out a deal that included strict restrictions and stringent checks at U.S. meat processing plants.

September 2006
Japan BBQ firm to offer U.S. beef TOKYO (AP)--A Japanese restaurant chain plans to resume serving U.S. beef soon at dozens of its branches nationwide, company officials said Aug. 26. Zenshoku, based in the western Osaka prefecture, said it will offer U.S. beef at its 57 Korean barbecue restaurants across Japan, but company spokeswoman Tae Okuda said no date has been set yet. However, businesses have since been slow to carry U.S. beef, using domestic and Australian beef instead.
Survey- Producers want next farm bill to address bioenergy Lubben said producers identified three fundamental policy areas as key goals for the new farm bill: Renewable energy, small and beginning farm and ranch opportunities and food security. Lubben coordinated a similar producer survey with the Farm Foundation five years ago before the current farm bill was written. "The survey results indicated all of the existing farm programs were supported by producers, but it is clear that there are preferences if program cuts and tradeoffs are necessary," ...
Producers need to use strategies to manage risk The volatility of market prices has increased the need for producers to set aside old marketing habits and embrace risk management strategies, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln livestock marketing specialist said. Risk management strategies can guarantee producers a set price for their crops or livestock, Mark said. Risk management tools can assure producers a sale price and protect them from large price drops.
Kansas meatpackers say South Korea move will boost sales South Korea had been one of the largest foreign beef markets before the country shut its doors to American beef imports in 2003 after the first U.S. case of BSE. Before 2003, Creekstone had sold about one-third of its beef to Japan, which at one time imported $1.4 billion worth of U.S. beef a year. Kansas cattlemen agree Japan's decision this summer to resume imports of U.S. beef is having a noticeable impact.
CCA is the ultimate voice of Colorado's beef industry Through a strong membership base, legislative representation, research and education, information distribution, public relations, and issues management, CCA has successfully represented Colorado beef producers since 1867. CCA is represented at the capitol every day, making sure that the legislators know where Colorado beef producers stand on national, international and state issues. "With the new memberships rolling in daily, CCA continues to be the voice for Colorado cattle producers," ...
KSU prof- Control measures have played important role in reduci The primary BSE control mechanism to prevent the spread of the disease in the nation's cattle herd is a ban instituted in 1997 on feeding meat and bone meal from ruminant animals to sheep and cattle, Larson said. According to Larson, the U.S. control measures are also comparable to successful control programs instituted in other countries, particularly England which has had almost had all of cases of BSE that have occurred in the world. "England has been very successful and basically has ...
SD Stockgrowers invite all to annual convention The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) encourages everyone to attend the 2006 Annual Convention Sept. 14 and 15 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Spearfish. Then, Fox says, the Trade Committee will hear from Dr. Doug Zalesky, Hesperus, Colo., Chairman of R-CALF USA's International Trade Committee. SDSGA Animal ID Committee Chairman Kenny Fox hopes everyone plans to stay for the second day of the convention to hear USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service veterinarian ...
Rancher believes ID is "ridiculous" The U.S. continues to import cattle and meat from countries that have BSE and other potential serious diseases such as hoof and mouth disease. The ID system will also cost ranchers and sale barns a lot of extra money. The ID system will also cost ranchers in cattle shrinkage caused by extra handlings, as well as tags, time, and all the rest of the necessary nonsense that will be involved in marketing cattle.
Japan restaurant will serve U.S. beef TOKYO (AP)--Many Japanese consumers will get their first taste of U.S. beef since Japan eased its import ban last month, after a Japanese restaurant chain said Aug. 25 it would use the meat as early as late August, according to news reports. Osaka-based Korean barbecue chain Zenshoku Co. will serve U.S. beef at about 70 Korean barbecue restaurants across Japan, likely the first chain in Japan to serve American beef since Japan lifted the total ban, according to Kyodo News agency. Only Costco ...
Japanese officials to inspect 2 U.S. beef facilities Tokyo in early August lifted its six-month-old ban on U.S. beef after evaluating the results of a month-long inspection tour by Japanese officials of the 35 processing plants seeking to export American meat. Aug. 7, farm and health ministry officials will begin a six-day visit to the two plants to evaluate their progress in satisfying the export program's conditions, Agriculture Ministry official Hiroaki Ogura said. Japan was a huge consumer of U.S. beef before December 2003, when it first ...
Hong Kong allows U.S. beef back (AP)--The Hong Kong government confirmed Sept. 1 that the city has revoked a beef import ban that was imposed on three U.S. companies after bones banned under safety measures were found in their shipments months ago. Since a two-year ban on U.S. beef was lifted Dec. 29, 2005 Hong Kong had banned beef imports from three U.S. companies--Harris Ranch Beef Co. in California in May, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., in Kansas in April, and Swift Beef Co., in Colorado in March--after the bones were ...

August 2006
Three new R-CALF directors assume duties From a field of three candidates that included R-CALF USA National Membership Co-Chair Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore., and Mary Ann Murray, of Jordan, Mont., who serves on R-CALF USA Animal ID Committee, Region I members elected to the post Dennis McDonald, of Melville, Mont., who previously served as co-chair of R-CALF USA's International Trade Committee. Region II members elected R-CALF USA Marketing Committee Co-Chair Randy Stevenson, of Wheatland, Wyo. Stepping down from his ...
TekVet's medical monitor keeps track of cows' health NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah (AP)--As a third-generation livestock producer in Utah, Bret Smith knows firsthand the "joys" of checking cattle for disease and illness. TekVet has created a wireless ear tag that contains a digital thermometer and computer chip that allows livestock managers to continually monitor their animals' location and core temperature to determine which animals might be sick, and which others they have been in contact with. Richard Keene, the company's chief technology officer, ...
Open for business A sigh of relief echoed throughout farm and ranch country last week with the welcome news that Japan has, for the most part, lifted it's ban on American beef. Members of Congress need no reminding of the massive effort to lift Japan's two-year ban on American beef just to have the ban slapped back on a month later due to a inadvertent shipment of veal which contained a spinal column from a calf under 20 months of age. Science based standards must ultimately prevail, otherwise the recovering...
Not the end. Not even close. When the announcement came that Japan had opened its borders to U.S. beef, there was not much fanfare. The best explanation I've heard about BSE testing is, "Testing cattle that are 30-months-old for BSE is like testing a 2-year-old for Alzheimer's Disease." The U.S. beef industry has done an excellent job educating the American public about BSE.
Diet trends boost meat glut After years of people stuffing themselves with chicken, pork and beef while they were following low-carb diets like Atkins, the meat industry is looking at a glut as the diet trend turns toward a more balanced approach. Retail prices for meats are forecast to be flat to 1 percent lower this year, compared with a 2 to 3 percent increase for all foods, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "The popularity of high-protein, low-carb diets gave an extra kick to demand for meats," said ...
USDA seeks to stymie R-CALF suit The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 21 filed a rarely used Motion for Summary Affirmance (USDA Motion) with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (9th Circuit). The USDA Motion urges the 9th Circuit not to proceed with the previously scheduled briefings and arguments in R-CALF USA's challenge of USDA's Minimal Risk Region Rule (Final Rule), which relaxed long-standing import restrictions for countries with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The USDA Motion asserts that R-CALF USA had ...
Japanese consumers sub U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--It's been weeks since Japan ditched its import ban on U.S. beef and the first shipment went on sale, but American beef is nowhere to be seen at supermarkets here--except this nation's five Costco stores. Costco Wholesale Japan Inc., a unit of U.S. warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale Corp., is one exception in pushing American beef. The other high-profile enthusiast for U.S. beef is fast-food chain Yoshinoya D&C Co., which made its fortune on the beef bowl, a serving of hot rice ...
BSE confirmed in Alberta No part of the animal's carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems. Preliminary information provided by the owner and an examination conducted by a private veterinarian estimate the animal's age was between eight and ten years of age. The estimated age of this animal is consistent with those of previous Canadian cases and exposure to a very low level of BSE infectivity.
U.S., S.Korea close to agreement Park gave no time frame, saying only that the market would open after the United States addresses South Korean concerns over how beef at U.S. slaughterhouses is processed. South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for American beef after Japan and Mexico when it shut its doors in December 2003, when the U.S. reported its first case of BSE. South Korea wants U.S. beef processed separately from foreign beef in U.S. facilities.
Survey- Uphill climb for U.S. beef Sales of U.S. beef resumed in mid-August for the first time since January, after Tokyo announced on July 27 that it was easing its ban on imports of U.S. beef over bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears. Seven companies--including McDonald's Holdings Co. and Zensho Co., which also sells beef bowl dishes--said they had no plans to use U.S. beef, while seven others indicated they won't use U.S. beef "for the time being," Kyodo News reported. Japan initially banned U.S. beef imports in December ...
R-CALF director testifies at Iowa farm bill hearing Yet during the past decade, U.S. cattle producers have faced significant obstacles in both the domestic and international markets, and since 1994, more than 122,000 cattle ranches and farms have exited the beef cattle business. "While the meatpacking industry has seen dramatic consolidation, packers have also increasingly used non-traditional contracting and marketing methods that further erode the selling power of cattle producers," Nelson explained. "Such methods include purchasing cattle...
Japan OKs CA meatpacker TOKYO (AP)--Japan's Agriculture Ministry said Aug. 15 it has authorized a pending approval for a California-based meatpacker to resume beef exports to Japan, making it the last of the 35 U.S. beef processors allowed to return to the Japanese market. Tokyo announced on July 27 an easing of its import ban of U.S. beef over bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears, and sales of American beef resumed in early August for the first time since January. Japan initially recognized 34 U.S. meatpackers as...
Japan confirms 28th case of BSE The 6 1/2-year-old dairy cow in Japan's northern island state of Hokkaido tested positive for the disease Aug. 11, the ministry said in a statement. Sales of American beef resumed this week for the first time since January, after Tokyo's July 27 announcement easing its latest ban on U.S. beef imports over BSE fears. Japan initially banned American beef imports in December 2003 after the first case of BSE in the U.S.
U.S. beef for sale in Japan TOKYO (AP)--Costco Wholesale Japan was set Aug. 9 to start the first sales of U.S. beef in Japan since the end of a ban imposed in January over bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a news report said. Japan banned American beef in December 2003 after the first case of BSE in the U.S. Japan was a huge consumer of U.S. beef before December 2003, importing some $1.4 billion worth and creating its most lucrative overseas market.
Rebuilding beef trade with Japan could take years OMAHA, Nebraska (AP)--Now that Japan has lifted its ban on U.S. beef, American beef producers are eager to resume trade there, but analysts say restoring sales to pre-ban levels and regaining the trust of Japanese consumers will be a slow process. Fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prompted Japan and other countries to ban U.S. beef in 2003, but that ban was lifted in December. The beef trade with Japan is important to the industry because it was the top export market for U.S. beef.

July 2006
Roberts meets with Taiwan delegation on beef imports U.S. Senator Pat Roberts recently met with a group of Taiwanese legislators to discuss resuming beef trade of U.S. bone-in-beef products. I pressed the Taiwanese legislators to lift the remaining ban U.S. beef products." Decisions to open the remaining markets to U.S. beef have been hampered by a politically charged climate in Taiwan.
Japan to OK U.S. beef import resumption, officials say TOKYO (AP)--Japan is preparing to approve a resumption of imports of U.S. beef this week, officials said July 25, despite a report that Japanese inspectors found problems at some U.S. meat processing plants. Officials from Japan's agriculture and health ministries are expected to decide soon, possibly when the Food Safety Commission meets July 27, on whether to allow U.S. beef back into Japan. But Japanese inspectors who toured U.S. meat processing facilities have found compliance problems "...
Japan prepares to lift beef ban Kyodo News agency said Japan was to officially approve an import resumption the following week, but Agriculture Ministry official Yoshihiro Kawada said the timing of an approval cannot be predicted. Tokyo is currently in the final stages of lifting the ban, with Japanese inspectors returning home Sunday after a monthlong monitoring mission of U.S. meat processing plants--a condition Japan requested in June when it agreed in principle to resume imports. Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa ...
Japanese government lifts ban on U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--The Japanese government officially approved resumption of U.S. beef imports from selected meat processing plants on July 27, easing a blanket ban imposed earlier this year over bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears, officials said. The approval came after a strategy meeting of the Agriculture ministry on July 27, where officials debated when to start accepting beef shipments and other details, according to ministry official Hiroaki Ogura. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party ...
Court schedule set for appeal process The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) has established the following schedule regarding R-CALF USA's recent appeal of an April 2006 decision by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull. "The 9th Circuit ruled in July 2005 that USDA should be given deference in this matter, but there's never been an evaluation of all of the evidence, by either the 9th Circuit or the District Court," said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker. Background: A preliminary injunction, ...
Consumer groups pan BSE testing cut "If you do testing of 100 percent of your animals, any ones that test positive never go into the food chain," said Michael Hansen of Consumers Union. The current testing level--1,000 each day--reflects the heightened concern that followed the discovery in December 2003 of BSE in the U.S. Tests have since turned up two more cases of the disease. Johanns said testing has nothing to do with the safety of U.S. beef for consumers in the U.S. and abroad.
U.S. cautious about beef-trade deal WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. beef shipments to Japan could resume within weeks under a new agreement, but the Bush administration cautioned that the deal to restore trade interrupted by Japanese bovine spongiform encephalopathy concerns could still fall through. Hours earlier, Japan announced it would end a ban on importing U.S. beef pending inspections of American meat processing plants. "U.S. beef producers remain skeptical of Japan's dependability as a trading partner," Stokes said.
Roberts calls on China to honor deal to open markets to U.S. be U.S. Senator Pat Roberts recently led a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to urge Chinese President Hu Jintao to honor a commitment to open Chinese markets to U.S. beef by the end of June. "The continued prohibition on U.S. beef and beef products is fundamentally inconsistent with the globally recognized food safety guidelines set by the OIE. This letter is the latest in a series of efforts Roberts has led to reopen markets to U.S. beef after the discovery of BSE in a single ...
NCBA president touches on trade, animal ID in ICA visit On the global trade front, John said while the situation with Japan's continued stall on resuming beef trade with the U.S., other regions are offering greater promise. John called the ongoing Japanese trade balk an "absolute frustration" and said despite a string of Japanese promises but no action to open the border to date, NCBA is in favor of retaliatory action unless trade resumes soon. Why, then, continue to work to re-open the Japanese market when equal efforts could be taken to enter ...
Japan to lift ban on U.S. beef imports, pending plant inspectio TOKYO (AP)--Japan has agreed to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports, pending planned inspections of American meat processing plants, the two governments said June 21 in a joint statement. The ban, first imposed in 2003 over concerns that U.S. beef might be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, was lifted at the end of last year for just a month before Japan again halted U.S. beef shipments in January. "Japan agreed to resume U.S. beef imports on the condition that we find no further ...
Japan Ag Min- Sanctions nonsense TOKYO (AP)--Japan's agriculture minister called a U.S. proposal to impose sanctions on Tokyo if it doesn't resume imports of American beef soon "nonsense" on June 23, as the first teams of Japanese inspectors prepared to depart for American meat plants. Japan agreed June 21 to lift its ban, but only after thorough inspections of U.S. meat processing facilities to ensure they measure up to Japanese food-safety guidelines amid fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. At stake is a trading ...
Cattle producers appeal judge's decision R-CALF USA on June 5 filed a notice of appeal in U.S. District Court--District of Montana of an April decision by District Judge Richard F. Cebull that denied the organization's request for a permanent injunction against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Final Rule. "The (U.S.) 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in July 2005 that USDA should be given deference in this matter, but there's never been an evaluation of all of the evidence, by either the 9th Circuit or the District Court. ...
USDA announces new BSE surveillance program "This ongoing surveillance program will maintain our ability to detect BSE, provide assurance that our interlocking safeguards are successfully preventing BSE, while continuing to exceed science-based international guidelines." The ongoing BSE surveillance program will sample approximately 40,000 animals each year. This included data from an enhanced surveillance program, which began in June 2004, as a one-time effort to determine the prevalence of BSE in the United States.
Despite the lure of Japan trade, many U.S. beef plants opt out So when Japan agreed to lift the ban--contingent on Japanese checks of U.S. beef plants--many assumed that the inspectors would be welcomed everywhere with open arms. Japanese inspectors began visiting U.S. beef processing plants on June 24 after an agreement was brokered to restore the once-lucrative beef trade with Japan that used to account for about $1.4 billion a year and 10 percent of U.S. beef sales. The Japanese inspectors will visit seven beef processing plants in Nebraska starting ...
Scientist working on CWD test for live animals BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP)--A South Dakota State University scientist is doing research that could lead to a live animal test for chronic wasting disease. Scrapie diagnostics aren't a high priority, but Young is adapting his scientific method to CWD, which, unlike most prion diseases, spreads reasonably well. Although Young's research is currently focused on CWD, he hopes the technology will translate to other prior diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
Japan inspection team at Swift plant Representatives of Japan's health and agricultural ministries were expected to spend the day at the plant about 50 miles north of Denver, Swift spokesman Sean McHugh said. Japan agreed last month to lift its ban, first imposed in 2003 because of fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy, after inspecting 35 U.S. meatpacking facilities to ensure they comply with Japanese food-safety guidelines. Swift has said the teams also will inspect its three other beef-processing plants, in Hyrum, Utah...
Reporter breaks his own rules to take part in cattle drive This rule doesn't apply to eating, however, which is how I found myself walking for the duration of Albany County rancher Gil Engen's Memorial Day weekend cattle drive. Gil and his wife Ialene and their kids have been driving cattle from the Flying Heart Ranch near Harmony, up past Woods Landing and just over the Colorado border for a long time. The cattle have been at it for years, and the young ones learn from the experienced ones, Gil and Ialene's daughter, Desiree Engen, told me.
Canada sets tougher rules on animal feed to fight mad cow disea The Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed measures, to be phased in over the next year, aimed at keeping potentially risky cattle parts from all animal feed, not just feed destined for cows. BSE is believed to spread through feed, when cows eat the contaminated tissue of other cattle. There has been pressure for some time to widen the Canadian ban to include feed for other commercial animals, pet food and fertilizers.
Canada sets important example for science-based BSE rules The Canadian government has implemented changes to bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related import restrictions on U.S. cattle. When BSE was discovered in the U.S. in December 2003, a prohibition order was placed on imports of cattle and beef products from the U.S. This was amended to allow for imports of beef from cattle under thirty months, cattle direct to slaughter, and feeder cattle under thirty months.
Canada confirms sixth BSE case Two of the six confirmed BSE cases in Canada have involved animals that were infected after 1997, when a ban was instituted on the use of cattle parts in feed destined for cattle, or other ruminants such as sheep and goats. The agency says Canada's food supply is safe, and the level of BSE in the national cattle herd is very low. Last month, Canada announced it has broadened restrictions on animal feed in an effort to fight BSE.

June 2006
Nebraska packing plants OK'd for Japan "These are the plants that would begin shipping beef to Japan," said U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Ed Lloyd. The eight Nebraska plants are the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Schuyler; Greater Omaha Packing Co., Omaha; Nebraska Beef Ltd., Omaha; Premium Protein Products LLC, Hastings; and Tyson Fresh Meats plants in Dakota City, Lexington, Norfolk and West Point. The 37 plants were among those approved for Japan exports in December, when Japan first lowered barriers to U.S. beef.
Missouri promotes beef for Asia "That's a lot of food," said Hiroaki Shino, who markets Missouri beef in Japan for the state of Missouri. Ferrell traveled in January to Taiwan and Japan to promote Missouri beef, and discuss its quality and safety. "The Japanese consumers can trust the beef when the government says it's OK," said Kazuhiro Hasebe, who works with a Japanese beef trading company.
Japan- Public meetings on beef imports At the meetings, to be held at 10 locations across Japan from June 1, ministry officials will explain progress made in talks between the two countries on beef imports, the ministry said in a statement. In mid-May, Japanese and U.S. officials wrapped up negotiations, but didn't set a timetable for the resumption of the beef trade. The U.S. has pushed to resume exports by the end of June, but Japanese officials said public meetings must be held first, and have also asked for more information on...
Japan- Final U.S. beef hearing TOKYO (AP)--Japan was scheduled to hold the last of its public hearings on U.S. beef safety June 14, before making a formal decision on whether to reopen the once-lucrative Japanese market to American beef. Japan's agriculture and health ministries have been holding hearings in major cities across the country since June 1 to explain progress made in talks between the two countries on beef imports, said Agriculture Ministry official Atsushi Furukawa. Tokyo first closed its door to U.S. beef ...
U.S. BSE cases appear to be rare, mysterious strain WASHINGTON (AP)--Two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Texas and Alabama seem to have resulted from a mysterious strain that could appear spontaneously in cattle, researchers say. The Texas and Alabama cows were older animals, as were some of the other animals in Europe with seemingly atypical cases. BSE has turned up three times in the United States: in native-born animals in Texas and Alabama and in a Canadian import in Washington state.
S. Korea- Still problems with U.S. beef SEOUL (AP)--South Korea is not likely to resume U.S. beef imports before July, officials said June 7, citing problems with some U.S. slaughterhouses designated to process meat bound for South Korea. South Korea agreed in January to allow American beef into the country on a limited basis, ending a two-year ban prompted by bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears. South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for American beef, after Japan and Mexico, when it shut its doors to the U.S. meat ...
Cholick lauds congressional support for agriculture --Food Safety and Inspection Services funded at $853 million ($24 million above last year). --Commodity Supplemental Food Program funded at $118.3 million ($11 million above last year). --Food Stamp Program funded at $37.9 billion ($2.8 billion below last year).
Japan confirms 26th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan confirmed its 26th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a 5-year and 8-month-old Holstein, the agriculture ministry said May 13, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency. Meat inspectors in Hokkaido prefecture (state) in northern Japan found May 11 that a dairy cow tested positive for the disease, the ministry said in a statement. A panel of Agricultural Ministry experts confirmed the infection May 13, according to ministry official Akiko Suzuki.

May 2006
USDA releases BSE prevalence estimate for U.S. USDA experts used two different methods, the BSurvE Prevalence B method and the Bayesian birth-cohort method, to analyze the prevalence of BSE based on all of the surveillance data. USDA will use the prevalence analysis, once it is peer-reviewed, and international standards set by the World Animal Health Organization, to design an ongoing BSE surveillance program for the United States. USDA's enhanced BSE surveillance program followed the detection of BSE in an imported animal in December ...
Beef ambassadors visit nation's capital Four of the beef industry's top youth leaders recently received a rare opportunity to view the inner workings of the federal government and its impact on the beef industry. Thanks to a donation from an anonymous supporter, National Beef Ambassadors Amanda Nolz of South Dakota, Peter Sharpe, Minnesota, Josh McCubbins, Kentucky, and Angelle Johnson, Louisiana, were able to participate in the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) 2006 Spring Conference on Capitol Hill. A goal of the ...
U.S., Japan beef talks resume TOKYO (AP)--Japanese and U.S. officials on May 17 began two days of talks on a survey of the U.S. meat-packing industry, as Washington seeks a re-opening of the Japanese market to U.S. beef imports. Chuck Lambert, U.S. undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, headed a team of agriculture officials meeting with officials from Japan's foreign, health and agriculture ministries at the Foreign Ministry. Japan banned the meat in January over bovine spongiform encephalopathy worries, ...
R-CALF- Mail-in ballots counted R-CALF USA by-laws permit every member who owns cattle to vote on policy resolutions. Regarding animal identification, members approved by a vote of 3,628-183 the following resolution: "R-CALF USA opposes a federally mandated national animal identification program. A second Beef Checkoff-related resolution, approved with a vote of 3,615-142, states: "Be it resolved: R-CALF USA will lead a nationwide referendum to amend the National Beef Promotion Act to make such Acts responsive to ...
Japan awaits meat plant survey results Japan banned the meat in January because of worries over bovine spongiform encephalpathy, and U.S. officials are in Tokyo in mid-May to restart talks on lifting the ban. Chuck Lambert, U.S. undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, is leading a team of agriculture officials to Tokyo. Japan shut its profitable market to U.S. beef in December 2003 after the first discovery of BSE in the U.S.
House votes in angst against Animal ID But in a showing of unusual contradiction, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from using any federal funds to implement a national animal identification program. In considering the 2007 funding bill for farm programs, the House voted 378-46 to support the bill that puts a halt to USDA efforts to implement the private-public system until U.S Secretary of Agriculture Johanns files a report to Congress that details necessary ...
Hong Kong bans beef from U.S. plant HONG KONG (AP)--Hong Kong suspended beef imports May 16 from a California processing plant run by Harris Ranch Beef Co. after its beef violated precautions against bovine spongiform encehalopathy by including bone. Hong Kong currently only allows the import of U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months old, with high-risk body parts such as the brain and spinal cord removed. Hong Kong has already banned beef imports from two other U.S. meat processing companies for violating the new ...
After BSE ban, British beef producers will seek to win back EU The Meat and Livestock Commission, a British industry group, welcomed the lifting of the export ban as an end to a long nightmare for British producers, reopening markets that were shut off to them when it became clear there was a link between BSE a deadly equivalent in humans. But producers cannot expect a swift flood of orders for British beef from France, formerly their largest export market in the EU, or other countries in the bloc. Walker said British beef is considered a delicacy in ...
U.S., Japan could meet mid-May The U.S. is inspecting American beef facilities and will soon dispatch a technical team to give Tokyo the findings, the officials said. Japan banned U.S. beef in January after a shipment violated a prohibition on bones, which Tokyo considers a risk for bovine spongiform encephalpathy. Morikawa said that at the coming meeting, Japan would present the results of its consultations with consumers about U.S. beef.
USDA criticized for helping "industrialize" organic farming According to opinion research, consumers are willing to pay premium prices for organic dairy products in part because they believe that USDA regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics, hormones, and genetically engineered feed on organic farms. "In the study that we released last month, "Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Milk," which rates the country's organic dairy brands, (www.cornucopia.org/), we found that the majority of organic dairy producers are able to replenish their herds, on ...
Scientists, leaders continue commitment to beef safety at summit Continuing its commitment to ensure a safe beef supply, the U.S. beef industry conducted a Beef Industry Safety Summit recently. The summit, an annual event partially funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, brings together leaders, scientists and producers to discuss research, best practices and other key food safety initiatives from the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo). Mike Engler, a Texas producer and chair of the Joint Industry Beef Safety Committee, said, "This meeting gives ...
Nelson to act if Japan doesn't allow U.S. beef in by June 1 OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--If Japan fails to reopen its markets to American beef by June 1, U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says he will ask his colleagues to take action against the country. Last year, the Nebraska Democrat led an effort to get Japan to lift the ban it was imposing, including seeking a U.S. ban on Japanese Kobe beef. After a brief resumption, Japan banned U.S. beef in January when spine bones were found in a veal shipment that violated import rules.
Japan, U.S. to meet for beef talks Japanese Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa will meet U.S. Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman May 2 in the Swiss city, said ministry spokesman Hiromasa Sakuma. The discussions are expected to cover a variety of issues, likely including Japan's ban on U.S. beef imports over concerns related to BSE, Sakuma said. Japan shut its doors to American beef in January after spinal bones were found in a U.S. veal shipment.
Farmer gives up dairy business as profit on milk sags For a few years during the mid-1990s, Wattsburg-area dairy farmer Matt Senita was fielding a team of bovine all-stars. Senita said that if the loss of his embryo business and the lack of farm help weren't enough to force him from the farm, he faces record high costs this planting season and some of the lowest milk prices in more than 30 years. Wilcox said he can't help feel a touch of sadness when he hears that a farmer like Senita is leaving behind the dairy business.
Sparks says investigation of Alabama's BSE case is finished A statement released by Spark's department said the inability to find the animal's herd of origin was not totally unexpected because of its age and lack of identifying brands, tattoos and tags. The Alabama cow tested positive for BSE in March and was the third U.S. case of the fatal nerve disorder. Investigators say the animal, a red crossbreed, was examined by a veterinarian after it became non-ambulatory at an Alabama farm.
South Korea- U.S. beef safe SEOUL (AP)--South Korea said April 26 it will resume limited imports of American beef as early as June and that tests showed U.S. beef is safe, despite the confirmation last month of the U.S.'s third case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. "The imports of American beef could be resumed in June at the earliest," said Kim Chang-seob, chief veterinary officer of South Korea's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. In January, Seoul had said it planned to resume limited U.S. beef imports by the end...
Officials plan farm database to fight disease LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ A marketing campaign costing $100,000 is planned by Arkansas agriculture officials to urge farmers to register with the government so officials can keep track of dangerous animal sicknesses like bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Meanwhile, the state plans to use federal money to hire two new workers and buy a mobile emergency command center to prepare for another animal health threat--the bird flu virus. Both programs demonstrate the concern that global animal ...
No birth date needed in ID system "When you're dealing with contagious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or exotic Newcastle, age really isn't all that important," department spokeswoman Dore Mobley said. WASHINGTON (AP)--A livestock tracking system planned by the government will not include the age of animals, despite the key role age has played in bovine spongiform encephalopathy investigations. The nation's dominant cattle producer group agrees: The National Cattlemen's Beef Association helped create a livestock ...
Banned material found in beef shipment TAIPEI (AP)--Taiwanese consumer activists on April 29 demanded that the government re-impose a complete ban on U.S. beef, after shredded ribs were found in a shipment from Nebraska. The Department of Health said inspectors at Taipei's international airport found the ribs in a beef shipment from a Nebraska slaughterhouse. The Consumers' Foundation said the government should re-impose a complete ban on American U.S. beef because of the banned bone content.
Arkansas to register farms LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)--A marketing campaign costing $100,000 is planned by Arkansas agriculture officials to urge farmers to register with the government so officials can keep track of dangerous animal sicknesses like bovine spongiform encepahlopathy. Meanwhile, the state plans to use federal money to hire two new workers and buy a mobile emergency command center to prepare for another animal health threat--the bird flu virus. Both programs demonstrate the concern that global animal diseases...
Young steer negative for BSE But further tests at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo showed the steer did not have BSE, according to prefectural health official Shinichi Nakajima. Separately, inspectors in Okayama prefecture (state), west of Tokyo, found late April 17 that a 6-year-old dairy cow, intended to be slaughtered for meat, has tested positive for the disease, said health official Waichiro Kawai. Japan in December eased a two-year-old ban on U.S. beef to allow imports from cows aged 20 months...
TN may opt out of cattle ID system NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)--Tennessee would opt out of the national electronic cattle tracking system designed to prevent the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy under a bill being considered by the House. Givens said electronic tracking adds value to Tennessee beef because it can tell buyers the origin and age of the cattle. Tennessee already prohibits cattle feed that contains animal parts, but it's OK for hog and chicken feed.
Several factors will influence cattle prices in 2006 Calf prices typically decline each year inventory increases and then increase once herd liquidation begins, Feuz said. Feuz expects 2006 prices to be near 2004 price levels: Fed cattle could average about $85 per hundredweight, 750-pound steers in Nebraska could average about $112 per hundredweight and 550-pound steers in Nebraska could average about $127 per hundredweight. Prices may decline to the low $70 per hundredweight range for fed cattle in four to five years with 750-pound steers in ...
Producers learn more about U.S. beef export issues from USMEF chairman Animal diseases, market access and animal identification are some of the challenges facing U.S. beef exports, but there are also many opportunities, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chairman John Bellinger told producers March 28 attending the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association 129th Annual Convention in San Antonio. For example, Bellinger said, when Egypt, a strong market for beef livers, reopened to U.S. beef last March, USMEF persuaded the trend-setting JW's Steakhouse at...
New way to study prions found GREAT FALLS (AP)--Scientists at McLaughlin Research Center have discovered a new way to study prions, the infectious agents that cause brain-wasting diseases, and hope the work could lead to a better understanding of who is more at risk to contract such diseases. Scientists infected stem cell cultures from fetal mouse brains with prions and found the infection could be detected within weeks. The tissue cultures allow the researchers to study genetic susceptibility to the disease, said Dr. ...
Barn huggers want Congress, states to help save wooden landmarks Supporters of preserving barns--they call themselves "barn huggers"--say that while plenty of people want to save these structures of agricultural history, not enough lawmakers are willing to give them grants or tax breaks for their efforts. Christian & Son Inc., a barn rebuilding company in the northeast Ohio town of Burbank, tries not to modify the barns too much. The company is turning a barn into a winery near Wooster and converting an old dairy barn into one that will house horses near ...
Alabama Legislature approves animal ID law after BSE case MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)--The Legislature, reacting to Alabama's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, voted March 30 to allow the state Agriculture Department to create an animal identification system that would make tracking diseased livestock easier. The bill allows the state Agriculture Department to develop and implement an animal ID system for all livestock in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill passed the Senate after Alabama's first case of BSE--and ...

April 2006
U.S. beef answers don't satisfy The U.S. government, which is trying to get Japan to overturn its most recent ban on U.S. beef, sent answers March 18 to questions Tokyo had about an initial U.S. report on the matter, but the responses did not settle all of Japan's safety concerns, Health Minister Jiro Kawasaki said. Kawasaki told reporters that the U.S. reply, for example, did not mention a similar export blunder in which another U.S. beef company sent banned bones in a shipment to Hong Kong. On Jan. 20, Brooklyn-based ...
U.S.-Colombia FTA will benefit pork, beef exports The FTA will immediately eliminate duties on many U.S. products exported to Colombia, including high-quality beef and will phase out duties on all beef and pork imports from the U.S. over a 10-year period. "Colombia will be a key South American market for both U.S. pork and U.S. beef," said Vernazza-Paganini. Colombia ranks third in the Central and South American region as a destination for U.S. pork exports, but from 1999-2004 U.S. pork exports dropped a total of some 50 percent.
Texas senators press Japan on beef SAN ANTONIO (AP)--Texas' senators told cattle producers March 26 that they would press to reopen Japan to U.S. beef imports. Republican Sen. John Cornyn told members of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association that the ban "amounts to protectionist policies dressed up to look like concern for BSE." Cornyn and Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison also discussed help for those affected by wildfires that scorched nearly 1 million acres in the Texas Panhandle during March.
Tenn. proposal would ban animal parts in all livestock feed The Strawberry Plains Republican is sponsoring a bill that would go beyond federal regulations by banning all feed containing cattle protein or bone meal made from cattle or other ruminant animals such as sheep. Cattle feed is currently covered under the ban, but other animals like hogs and chickens can be given feed containing animal parts. Niceley said cross contamination of feeds could lead to cattle being fed cattle parts.
Disease-resistant animals eyed COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)--Researchers from Texas A&M University are working to develop illness-repellent sheep, a step that could lead to the engineering of cattle resistance to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, according to a story in the Bryan-College Station Eagle newspaper. Such technology could lead to higher quality fiber, meat and milk products, A&M veterinarians Mark Westhusin and Charles Long wrote in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The ...
2006 ILC Houston concludes calling for greater global collaboration on disease management International experts on foreign animal disease reached consensus in some areas, but raised further questions in others as the 2006 International Livestock Congress (ILC) concluded March 2 in Houston, Texas. Held in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and managed by the International Stockmen's Educational Foundation (ISEF), the 2006 ILC Houston hosted more than 140 guests from 11 countries, many of whom were invited to the think tank format meeting to present their expert ...
What went wrong in Canada? The Canadian Cattlemen's Association claims that almost every country with BSE and a feed ban has seen cases after the introduction of a feed ban. Either the feed ban was not followed in Canada, or this latest case was a spontaneous one--not caused by consuming infected feed. In response to the latest BSE case, the Canadian government announced an enhanced feed ban to accelerate the eradication of BSE.
Canadian officials confirm nation's fifth BSE case Despite the confidence Canadian officials showed in the nation's protocols for BSE protection, Canadian officials indicated they would soon be announcing tighter animal feeding regulations to strengthen the nation's existing feed ban. "Half of all Canadian BSE cases confirmed so far were in animals born after Canada implemented its 1997 feed ban, a precaution USDA incorrectly assumed would halt the spread of the disease within Canada's feed system and its cattle herd," Kiker said. "Canada ...
Routine surveillance uncovers additional case of BSE in Canada Canada's bovine spongiform encephalopathy surveillance program, which routinely tests animals exhibiting neurological symptoms or other signs of BSE, has uncovered what is likely an additional case of the disease in a dairy cow in British Columbia. Diagnosis of a few additional cases of BSE in Canada is not unexpected and should not impact current trade in beef or live cattle. Canada has been surveilling animals for BSE at levels above those recommended by international animal health ...
Hong Kong suspends beef imports from U.S. processing company It was the second time Hong Kong has suspended beef imports from a U.S. processing company since partially lifting a two-year ban on American beef in December. In March, Hong Kong suspended imports from Colorado-based Swift Beef Co., also because bone parts were found in its products. Hong Kong has imported 82 tons (90.2 short tons) of beef products from the U.S. since December, the government said.
Can beef be too safe? The question: Why doesn't the U.S. Department of Agriculture permit Arkansas City, Kan.-based Creekstone Farms to do as it wants and test every beef animal it processes--particularly beef for export--for bovine spongiform encephalopathy? That said, the argument made by Creekstone officials is that while they know the U.S. beef supply is safe, there are customers who want beef tested to the nth degree; and that includes testing every animal for BSE. Competing elements of the beef trade tugging...
Age, source verification program kicks off With markets for American beef proving restless in the Pacific Rim and around the world, the Wyoming Business Council is rolling out a voluntary program designed to help producers satisfy export requirements for Wyoming meat. John Henn of the Wyoming Business Council begins his Wyoming Verified Program for source and age verification of Wyoming livestock this month. The Wyoming Business Council is working with AgInfoLink, a USDA Process Verified Company, to provide source and age ...
Bell: Arkansas ranchers need to start cattle ID program SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP)--Arkansas cattle ranchers will have to adopt a method of verifying the age of cows in order to be eligible to export their beef to Japan, Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Richard Bell said. Bell said there is a move to develop a national program to identify cattle by age and locale. Bell warned that Arkansas cattle could bring lower prices than cattle from other areas if the state does not expedite its identification program efforts.
Johanns updates cattlemen on BSE, animal ID, trade issues U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns addressed members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) March 29 on several issues critical to the beef industry. Johanns said it is USDA's objective to not only reopen the South Korean market to boneless beef soon, but also to bone-in products that have historically comprised much of the beef exported to that nation. Penn expressed optimism about Russia, once the seventh-ranked market for U.S. beef and the top market for U.S. exports ...
Japan reshuffles BSE panel TOKYO (AP)--Japan April 3 reshuffled an expert panel on bovine spongiform encephalopathy that advised the government on the safety of U.S. beef, amid reports that half the panel resigned over the debate on reopening the domestic market to American imports. Half the 12-member panel resigned and were replaced in the new panel, according to Kyodo News agency. But the ban was eased in December 2005 to allow restricted American beef imports, following findings from the commission that U.S. beef ...
Colorado ends practice of killing elk, deer to contain CWD DENVER (AP)--Officials acknowledge that killing deer and elk to contain the spread of chronic wasting disease hasn't worked, leading the Colorado Division of Wildlife to give up the oft criticized practice started in 2001 during the height of fears the disease would damage the state's hunting industry. Officials have killed 2,300 animals on both sides of the Continental Divide with the goal of containing initial outbreaks or reducing populations in hot spots where prevalence of the disease ...
BSE, S. Korea beef imports linked SEOUL (AP)--South Korea said March 13 that plans to resume limited imports of U.S. beef depend on the age of the latest U.S. cow discovered to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy. South Korea said in January it planned to resume limited U.S. beef imports by the end of this month after reaching an agreement with the U.S. to relax a two-year ban triggered by BSE fears. South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for U.S. beef, after Japan and Mexico, when it shut its doors to U.S. meat ...

March 2006
Corn, beef checkoffs help sponsor Nebraska beef promotion in Hong Kong Beef buyers from Hong Kong and China were treated to samples of Nebraska beef at a special "Beef from Nebraska" reception in Hong Kong recently. The Nebraska beef promotion was designed to reintroduce choice and prime Nebraska beef cuts to approximately 150 retailers, restaurateurs, chefs, and other key beef buyers in the Hong Kong/China beef market. The chair of the Nebraska Beef Council, Ann Bruntz of Friend, praised the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's efforts to rebuild lost market ...
U.S. case of BSE highlights need for livestock tracking system WASHINGTON (AP)--Investigators may never figure out where an Alabama cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy was born and raised, in part because the U.S. lacks a livestock tracking system the Bush administration promised two years ago. Johanns promised last May that the tracking system would be in place, run by the government and with mandatory participation, by 2009. For example, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association helped develop a system using Microsoft technology that is now being...
U.S. answers Japan via e-mail Japan sent the questions after the Bush administration finalized a report saying plant workers and government inspectors misunderstood new trade rules when they shipped the prohibited veal to Japan. The shipment from Atlantic Veal & Lamb of Brooklyn violated trade rules with Japan, but U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said "the veal posed absolutely no risk to human health; there was no danger there." The plant and its supplier, Ohio-based Golden Veal Corp., were certified to ship ...
Second USDA confirmatory test results positive for BSE The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on March 15 announced that the second of two bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmatory tests conducted on an Alabama cow has returned a positive result. APHIS' National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, which conducted a second confirmatory test, the immunohistochemistry (IHC), received positive results March 15. Under APHIS protocols, if either the IHC or the Western blot returns a...
Origin of BSE cow still unknown WASHINGTON (AP)--Investigators may never figure out where the Alabama cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy was born and raised, in part because the U.S. lacks a livestock tracking system the Bush administration promised two years ago. Johanns promised last May that the tracking system would be in place, run by the government and with mandatory participation, by 2009. For example, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association helped develop a system using Microsoft technology that is now ...
Japan's timeless tradition of feet-dragging Week after week, it seems like the Japanese cabinet secretaries, parliament and consumer groups continue to make sport and picking away at the integrity of the U.S. beef industry. They continually ask for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to "prove" the safety of U.S. beef and demand evidence of increased standards for safety and preventative measures to be sure to avoid future instances of shipment of banned bone material to Japan. Furthermore, there are some outside of the beef and ...
Head 'em up, buy 'em out "One thing to remember, as far as I can recall, the Japanese government has never said it would accept U.S. beef if blanket testing were conducted. There is no scientific reason to test cattle younger than 30 months of age for BSE. I'd challenge an economist to run a scenario on the reduction in beef prices, due to this subset being disproportionately added to the marketplace, versus the cost of blanket BSE testing or testing at the USDA's proposed level.
Alabama BSE cow did not enter food supply The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the infection March 13. Unable to walk, the cow was killed last week by a local veterinarian and buried on the farm. Word came as the Bush administration sought to reassure Japan, South Korea and other trading partners that U.S. beef is safe. "If the infected cow turns out to have been born before April 1998, when the South Korean government banned meat and bone meal, it will not influence the South Korea-U.S. beef import agreement in January," ...
Sample in question found positive for BSE U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service chief veterinary officer John Clifford announced March 13 that an inconclusive rapid test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) discovered March 10 has been confirmed positive for the disease. "Now, the Western Blot test has returned a positive result, and that is sufficient for us to confirm this animal positive for BSE." From this point, Clifford said investigations are underway to trace the BSE-positive animal's...
Japan confirms 23rd BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan has confirmed its 23rd case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a 5-year-old Holstein reared for food, the Health Ministry said March 15. The bull, raised on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, was killed March 13 and tested positive for the degenerative disease March 15, the ministry said in a statement. After confirming its first case of BSE in 2001, Japan has tested every domestically slaughtered cow entering the market.
Iowa beef producers participate in trade mission to Mexico, Costa Rica Iowa beef producers returned from an Iowa Meat Trade Mission to Mexico and Costa Rica and report that market conditions to ship Iowa beef remain positive. Other attendees included members of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa State University and private Iowa businesses. Mexico is the largest U.S. trading partner in both volume and value for American beef and beef variety meats.
Dozens of cattle producers participate in historic Washington Stampede U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns met with several R-CALF USA members, staff and leaders, as did several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations - namely USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well as USDA's Animal ID and Beef Checkoff Coordinators. International trade was another priority topic members ...
Japan confirms 23rd BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan has confirmed its 23rd case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a 5-year-old Holstein reared for food, the Health Ministry said March 15. The bull, raised on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, was killed March 13 and tested positive for the degenerative disease March 15, the ministry said in a statement. After confirming its first case of BSE in 2001, Japan has tested every domestically slaughtered cow entering the market.
Bad news week It was a bad news week for cattle producers. The third U.S. case of BSE was bad news for cattle producers, but not unexpected. The bright spot with the BSE news, however, appears to be the lack of "news" about it this week.
Dozens of cattle producers participate in historic Washington Stampede U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns met with several R-CALF USA members, staff and leaders, as did several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations - namely USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the agency's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well as USDA's Animal ID and Beef Checkoff Coordinators. International trade was another priority topic members ...
Japan has questions on U.S. beef report TOKYO (AP)--Japan's agriculture minister said March 3 that he had more questions for U.S. officials on the recent investigation into an American veal shipment that prompted Tokyo to ban U.S. beef imports, and hoped to speak to them in the coming week. In the report on the veal shipment, Washington acknowledged that workers and government inspectors involved didn't understand the rules governing beef exports to Japan. The report also pledged to increase the number of inspectors carrying out ...
Canadian BSE likely from tainted feed The cow was born in 2000, three years after Canada banned cattle protein in cattle feed. Feed for some other animals may still contain cattle remains and can be manufactured at the same mills that make cattle feed. Canada's feed ban is stricter than the U.S. feed ban; the Canadians do not allow feed with chicken litter or restaurant leftovers, both potential pathways for BSE.
Agricultural outlook projects expanding bio-energy and value-added markets World pork production reaches 113.1 million metric tons, and trade reaches 4.9 million metric tons by 2015/16. The European Union loses market share, while all other major competing exporters, including Canada, the United States, and Brazil, gain market share. World soybean production reaches 277 million metric tons by 2015/16, a 24 percent increase from 2005/06. Brazil overtakes the United States as the largest soybean producer and exporter in the world, holding a 34 percent share of world ...

February 2006
U.S. beef producers both lucky, good Before the "Cow that Stole Christmas" in our country in 2003, we had logged a record $5.4 billion in cattle, beef, byproducts and variety meat export sales. Twenty years later, a Cattle-Fax study put the impact of beef exports at $7.30 per hundredweight (cwt.) As we know, the export markets shut down at the end of 2003, fortunately right as the U.S. cattle inventory cycle began to bottom and prices were headed for a breathtaking peak.
Tyson to have 'natural' beef SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP)--Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producer, plans to offer two new lines of so-called natural beef worldwide. The products will be in addition to other Tyson beef. Some consumers are turning to organic and natural foods amid concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the use of antibiotics and hormones.
Nearly 2,000 tons of U.S. beef pile up in Japan Tokyo eased its ban on U.S. beef imports on Dec. 12, but halted imports again this month after a beef shipment arrived in Japan containing banned spinal bones, which considers to be at risk for mad cow disease. By adding those imported by companies outside the association's 17 U.S. beef importers, the amount of stranded beef products could reach as much as 2,300 tons, Iwama added. Most of the intended U.S. beef imports were high quality chilled beef, with the consumption date expiring within ...
Missouri makes its first beef sale to Taiwan ST. LOUIS (AP)--The U.S. state of Missouri has made its first sale to Taiwan, the same day the island country lifted a ban on U.S. beef imports. Missouri Agriculture Director Fred Ferrell, who was in the middle of a trip to Taiwan and Japan, said Jan. 26 that he has received initial orders for two metric tons of Missouri-bred beef. Ferrell and key Missouri agriculture officials arrived in Japan on Jan. 26 from Taiwan.
Missouri cattleman will be the next NCBA president John took his father's advice to heart and this week he was named president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). He joined both the Missouri Cattlemen's Association and the National Cattlemen's Association (now NCBA) in the 1980s. At the national level he served on the food policy committee, the agricultural policy committee, served two years as vice-chairman and two years as chairman of the NCBA membership committee.
Japan PM denies U.S. pressure TOKYO (AP)--Japan's prime minister Jan. 24 denied his government caved to U.S. pressure when it resumed beef imports last month, rejecting criticism spurred by the recent discovery of banned cattle parts in an American meat shipment. Tokyo halted U.S. beef imports in mid-January after spinal bone was found in a package of American veal only a month after Japan had partially lifted a two-year-old ban on the imports. Japan's political opposition has heavily criticized Prime Minister Junichiro ...
Japan decision blow to Kansas beef industry WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--Japan's decision to reinstate a ban on U.S. beef was met with disappointment Jan. 20 in Kansas, as the industry scrambled to reassure consumers its beef exports are safe. Japan's decision came as a blow in Kansas, the nation's second-largest beef-producing state behind Texas. According to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the state imported $175 million in beef products to Japan in 2003, before the Asian country imposed the ban.
Feedlot roundtable offered at Gering Feedlot owners and operators will learn more about animal health and cattle trade at the 2006 Beef Feedlot Roundtable Feb. 9 at the Gering Civic Center. --New beef products and demand presented by the Nebraska Beef Council. The Nebraska Beef Feedlot Roundtable is sponsored by UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Beef Council.
Just a Scoop Full (Jan. 25)--On January 20, the Japanese government announced that spinal column parts were found in a shipment of exported beef and moved to suspend trade with the United States. This was not a food safety issue as the material in question is not required to be removed from cattle under 30 months of age in the U.S. Interesting enough the fat cattle market didn't seem to pay much attention to the Japanese announcement as fat cattle traded at $97 per hundredweight to $97.50 per hundredweight ...
Young farmers and ranchers gather in Hutchinson The crowd at the recent Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers meeting was the largest in recent memory. Other leadership workshops covered topics such as: Generational differences among members; educating schoolchildren about agriculture; looking at the farm or ranch as a business; and lobbying for change in Congress. Steve Baccus, Kansas Farm Bureau president, from Ottawa County, spoke on the population shifts occurring in rural Kansas.
USMEF helps Taiwan welcome back U.S. beef As U.S. beef makes its way back to Taiwan stores and restaurants, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has several activities planned to ensure its return is a welcome one. U.S. beef products will be available in retail markets in coming weeks, and a survey by the Department of Health in Taiwan indicates 65 percent of consumers will buy U.S. beef. Carrefour, operating 37 outlets in Taiwan, will conduct a media event to reintroduce U.S. beef to customers. To help U.S. beef gain traction in ...
U.S. beef travels different routes in returning to international markets U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports started recovery, exporting 472,668 mt last year, a 47 percent increase over 2004. "The uptake of U.S. beef has been rapid in markets where U.S. beef has regained access," Seng said. "USMEF aims to provide consumers with assurances of the safety of U.S. beef, creating an environment among consumers conducive to the reintroduction of U.S. beef," Seng said.
U.S.-South Korea trade deal holds potential The United States is launching negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, historically one of the largest export markets for U.S. beef. On Jan. 13, 2006, negotiators reached an initial import protocol stating South Korea will accept U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, but its ban on U.S. bone-in beef and variety meats remains--which historically accounted for roughly half of the total value of U.S. beef exports to South Korea. "South Korea is a ...
Test results confirm woman died of classic form of brain disease TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP)--A test on brain tissue has confirmed that an Idaho woman died of a form of the brain-wasting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease not believed to be linked to the consumption of beef tainted by bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The nine cases investigated included four women from Twin Falls County, a woman from Minidoka County, a woman from Benewah County, a woman from Bear Lake County, a man from Elmore County and a man from Caribou County. The man from Elmore County tested ...
Results of investigation on veal shipment are sent to Japan --All FSIS inspectors who work in plants that are certified to export beef are undergoing additional mandatory training to ensure they fully understand U.S. export agreements. At a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, said that under the terms of the agreement between the U.S. and Japan, meat cuts like veal chops, T-bone steaks, and Porterhouse steaks would be banned from export to Japan because the bone would be left in. The plant was certified to ...
Johanns aims to resolve Japan situation "directly" and "expeditiously" Despite a recent setback in trade with Japan, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says the world is showing confidence in the safety and quality of U.S. beef, and "USDA will do everything to maintain that confidence." Johanns expressed regret over Japan's reinstated ban on U.S. beef since January 20 when a bone-in veal shipment failed to meet the agreed upon terms announced Dec. 12, 2005 to resume trade of U.S. beef to Japan. Citing results of USDA's Expanded BSE Surveillance Program, ...
Japan knew U.S. exporters had violated BSE rules before restarting beef imports Thirty-six of the 38 meatpackers allowed to export to Japan after Tokyo lifted a two-year ban on U.S. beef had previous records of violating the rules to remove at-risk parts from cows, the Asahi Shimbun reported citing Japan's Health Minister Jiro Kawasaki. In January, however, Japan suspended imports of U.S. beef after finding a veal shipment containing backbone, which Japan considers at high risk of BSE. The health minister said, however, that Japan concluded safety standards at those ...
Japanese lawmakers say U.S. beef has consumers wary WASHINGTON (AP)--Japanese lawmakers told Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Jan. 31 that a shipment of American beef containing bones prohibited because of the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy has caused ill will and deep suspicion among consumers in Japan. Japan suspended imports of U.S. beef on Jan. 20 after finding a veal shipment containing backbone, which Asian countries consider at risk for BSE. Before the first case of BSE found in an American herd in 2003, Japan was the...
Japan envoys: OK with U.S. beef processes TOKYO (AP)--A group of Japanese lawmakers said Feb. 14 they believe most U.S. companies process beef "perfectly" following an inspection tour of processing plants in Kansas. But the farm minister said Japan will not lower its safety standards for U.S. beef imports because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears. The five lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also severely criticized U.S. authorities over a veal shipment last month with banned bone material that prompted Japan ...
Iowa cattle industry still hopes for renewed exports to Japan Iowa cattle producers enjoyed fairly good years in 2004 and 2005, said John Lawrence, director of the Iowa Beef Center. Once the largest importer of U.S. beef in the world, Japan imported more than $1.4 billion worth of U.S. beef--more than a third of total U.S. beef exports--in 2003. The incident that prompted Japan's most recent ban on U.S. beef typify the sort of pitfalls that the cattle industry would like to avoid.
U.S. officials to Japan: American beef inspection system safe TOKYO (AP)--The U.S. food production system is among the safest in the world, despite a recent American beef shipment that violated Japanese import controls, U.S. agricultural officials said Jan. 24 after meeting with their Japanese counterparts. The fresh halt in imports came only a month after Japan eased a two-year-old ban on U.S. beef. Tokyo initially closed its market in December 2003 after the discovery of the first case of BSE in the American herd. Japanese officials said Jan. 24 they ...
U.S. apologizes to Japan TOKYO (AP)--U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso Jan. 23 to apologize after spinal bone was found in an American beef shipment in mid-January. In the meeting, Zoellick promised to take appropriate measures and pledged future American compliance with a U.S.-Japan pact that led to the reintroduction of U.S. beef to Japan's market last month after a two-year ban. The import halt was a bitter reversal for U.S. beef in Japan.
Report: Japan food safety panel head calls for stricter inspection of U.S. beef TOKYO (AP)--The head of Japan's beef safety panel said Tokyo should only import U.S. beef from slaughterhouses inspected by the Japanese government after it lifts a ban on American meat, according to a news report. The comments by Yasuhiro Yoshikawa, head of the Food Safety Commission's panel on beef safety, came nine days after Tokyo reinstated a ban on U.S. beef imports after a shipment was found to contain banned parts at risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. On Jan. 26, Vice ...
Mexico resumes trade in U.S. bone-in beef U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Feb. 1 announced that Mexico has resumed trade in U.S. bone-in beef from animals under 30 months of age. "Mexico's decision to further open its market to U.S. beef is a testament to the safety of U.S. beef and a clear expression of confidence in the U.S. safeguards to prevent BSE," said Johanns. U.S. beef exporters sold more than $874 million worth of beef products to Mexico in 2003, with bone-in beef products accounting for $40 million of that ...
Japan won't change beef rules TOKYO (AP)--Japan will not lower its beef safety standards to suit American producers, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Feb. 7, defending himself from criticism that the government has failed to conduct proper food inspections. Japan halted U.S. beef imports last month after the discovery of banned backbones in a shipment of American veal. Koizumi told lawmakers Feb. 7 that Japan would not change its policy of importing American beef only from cows 20 months old or younger, despite ...
Japan wants BSE-symptom explanation TOKYO (AP)--A senior Japanese agricultural official said Feb. 9 that the U.S. needs to explain reports of "downer" cattle--animals displaying symptoms thought to indicate bovine spongiform encephalopathy--being used for meat in the U.S in order to resume U.S. beef shipments to Japan. Japan halted U.S. beef imports last month after the discovery of backbones in a shipment of U.S. veal. The Japanese government has been accused by opposition lawmakers of failing to inspect U.S. meat plants ...
Japanese minister apologizes for not fully inspecting U.S. beef TOKYO (AP)--The Japanese government failed to inspect U.S. cattle facilities before easing a ban on American beef prompted by concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Japan's farm minister acknowledged Jan. 27 before apologizing. Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa acknowledged Jan. 30 that government inspections were conducted only after the ban was eased, despite a cabinet statement that said such checks should come before a resumption of imports. Nakagawa's admission of ...
Japanese herd negative for BSE The herd was from a farm in the town of Bekkai on the northern island of Hokkaido, where a cow died last month of the disease--Japan's 22nd BSE case. Under Japanese government guidelines on handling infected cattle, Hokkaido authorities said Feb. 11 that they treated the 45 cows as suspected disease carriers. Tests on parts of brains taken from the 45 cows found that they were all cleared of BSE, said Hokkaido government official Hiroyuki Takeuchi.
Hold that steak TOKYO (AP)--The first shipments of U.S. beef in two years had barely cleared customs last month when American officials were already cooking up their next project--loosening remaining restrictions on imports and winning back wary Japanese palates. Both those goals became more elusive in the wake of the mid-January Japanese halt to U.S. beef imports following the discovery of spine bones, material Tokyo has banned as risky for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, in a package of American veal. ...
Canada tests suspicious animal The suspicious animal will go to a lab in Winnipeg, Manitoba for final tests, and inspectors should know within 48 hours whether it has BSE, said Mark Van Dusen, a spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "We have an ongoing testing program for BSE and that means from time to time we undertake confirmatory tests when we come up with a suspicious sample," Van Dusen said. In May 2003, the United States banned Canadian cattle imports after Canada reported its first case of BSE.
BSE possible in 45 Japanese cows A cow that died at the farm on the northern island of Hokkaido was confirmed on Jan. 24 to be Japan's 22nd case of the disease. Following that death, the Hokkaido government banned the farm from moving any of its 432 cows, Hokkaido prefectural official Osamu Terada said. On Feb. 9, Hokkaido officials determined that 43 adult cows and two calves at the farm are suspected of having mad cow disease and will be incinerated, the prefecture said in a statement.
Beef producers mad over bone to Japan With the Japanese market closed just six weeks after Japan lifted a two-year ban on U.S. beef, some U.S. producers were angry with the New York meatpacking plant that shipped spinal column bone tissue--a BSE risk, Asian countries say--in a shipment of veal. The news angered producers at Harris Ranch in Coalinga, Calif., which says it sent the first shipment of U.S. beef to Japan six weeks ago. Cattle owner Brant Crowder of Sale Creek, Tenn., said cattle producers had been looking for an ...
Alabama cattlemen hit more by fertilizer costs than Japan ban MOBILE, Ala. (AP)--Alabama cattle producers frown more about high fertilizer and fuel costs than Japan's ban on U.S. beef imports over a bovine spongiform encephalopathy complaint. Fertilizer has risen from $230 a ton to $270, says cattle producer Calvin Freeland of Grand Bay, who usually has about 500 head on a 1,000-acre spread in southwest Alabama. Billy Powell, executive director of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, said the latest development with Japan has not had any immediate ...
Ag secretary calls on meat industry reps for beef export summit WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns summoned meat industry representatives to a three-hour meeting Jan. 24 to help reassure Japan that there will be no further shipments of prohibited cuts of beef. Japan halted American beef shipments Jan. 20 after finding a shipment of veal that contained backbone, which Asian countries consider a risk of spreading bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The company that shipped the veal rack, Brooklyn-based Atlantic Veal & Lamb, did not ...
Ag minister sees beef trade resumption Only weeks ago Japan resumed imports, only to halt them again in mid-January after it found banned spinal bones in a shipment of American veal. The error jeopardized a market worth $1.4 billion in 2003, the year before Japan banned the importation of American beef. Earlier during the week of Jan. 23, Nakagawa told parliament that 700 tons of U.S. beef distributed in Japan and already in circulation after the country eased its import ban last month is safe and can be eaten with no worries.
Variety of factors play into ag markets outlook Mark and Stockton will provide their perspective on the market outlook at the Cornhusker Economics Management and Outlook Conferences sponsored by UNL Extension. On the grain front, corn producers are contending with a new tariff of $1.65 on every bushel of corn exported from the U.S. to Canada, Stockton said. Canadian beef producers likely will switch from U.S. corn to other feed for their livestock.
Reader believes USDA, NCBA has taken wrong road Most all of us believe in a higher power that determines our destiny, but as independent livestock producers, let's not give that same reverence to the USDA and the NCBA. But the USDA and the NCBA immediately hammered us hard with an enormous cost figure that we surely couldn't afford. The check-off is probably a good thing and sells beef, but it sells generic beef--everybody's beef from around the world.
New veterinarians choosing urban over rural practices "The number of jobs for large-animal veterinarians is likely to grow more slowly than that for veterinarians in private practice who care for companion animals," the report stated. Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that of the 68.2 percent of first-year veterinary medical college graduates in 2004 who went into private clinical practice, 2.5 percent entered into a large animal exclusive practice, while 40.4 percent entered into a small animal exclusive practice...
Latham will address livestock issues at Focus on Farm Policy Iowa Congressman Tom Latham will try to tackle this topic as part of our upcoming meeting: Focus on Farm Policy: How the next farm bill will affect your bottom line. Latham will be followed by a livestock policy discussion with National Cattlemen's Beef Association chief economist Gregg Doud, National Pork Producers Association vice president for public policy Kirk Ferrell and Minnesota Turkey Growers Association executive director Steve Olson. Late last year, Latham watched as President ...
Lab successfully induces BSE; Japan lab infects 3 animals The cows were part of the experiment by the Hokkaido Animal Research Center in northern Japan, which injected brain tissue from infected cows into the brains of 14 healthy Holstein calves in three groups over several months in 2004. Final tests conducted by the National Institute of Animal Health near Tokyo in mid-January confirmed their infection with the disease, agriculture ministry official Kazuo Koizumi said. Researchers hope the findings will eventually lead to developing a method of ...
Beef ban stings cattlemen Those numbers, along with participation in the USDA-run program, positioned Missouri to be a bigger supplier of live cattle for beef export, said Missouri cattle rancher Mike John, president-elect of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Fred Ferrell left Jan. 22 for Taiwan and Japan to promote Missouri beef, and impress upon them its quality and safety. Cattle auctions in Bowling Green and Joplin in November were the first to auction cattle ...
Access to U.S. plants possible U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer said that strengthening Japanese inspectors' involvement at U.S. meat facilities would assure Japanese consumers that import agreements were being followed, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in a report that didn't elaborate. But some Japanese officials have demanded the U.S. allow Japanese officials to inspect all U.S. facilities handling beef products for Japanese markets. In a separate report, the Nihon Keizai said that Japan may consult the country's food ...

January 2006
USDA amends regulations governing the importation of beef from Japan The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Dec. 12 announced that it is amending regulations governing the importation of meat and other edible animal products to re-establish, under certain conditions, the importation of whole cuts of boneless beef from Japan. Recently, Japan requested that APHIS consider resuming the importation of beef from Japan to the United States. In a Federal Register notice published Aug. 18, APHIS proposed to amend the import ...
U.S. cattlemen welcome Japan's decision to lift beef embargo Members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) are gratified with the Japanese government's announcement confirming resumption of U.S. beef exports into Japan. The re-opening of the Japanese market comes with product limitations on U.S. beef that did not previously exist. USDA has estimated that about 35 percent of the U.S. herd could qualify under this limitation, and specific requirements must be met through a U.S. government verification program before the beef is eligible ...
Resuming beef exports to Japan good news for Missouri producers Cattle producers who can document the age of their animals and deliver them to market under new rules announced in mid-December are well-positioned to benefit from resumed beef exports to Japan, a University of Missouri economist said. "Before the 2003 ban, Japan had been the largest foreign customer of U.S. beef, accounting for 36.5 percent of all U.S. beef exports," said Ron Plain, an MU professor of agricultural economics. Under the new rules, Japan will resume importing U.S. beef from ...
NC meets amid Japan market reopening The task force primarily examined NC concerns about the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (NETF). The NC Natural Resources and Environment Committee and NC members passed a resolution encouraging the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund to develop a set of guiding principals to help groups like NC better understand the decision making process of the NETF board. NC also will support efforts by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to develop Johne's disease...
Livestock premises identification Premises registration is the first step toward a National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The sooner animal health officials can identify infected or exposed animals and premises, the sooner they can contain the disease and stop its spread. Get your premises registered with the state livestock commissioner/Federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Japan stores wary of U.S. beef Japan's major supermarket chains expressed caution Dec. 13, a day after the country's U.S. beef ban was eased, wary of loading their shelves with American steaks when finicky Japanese consumers might not be ready yet to fire up the grill. "We have no plans to sell U.S. beef for now," said Aiichiro Yamaguchi, a spokesman for Daiei Inc., one of Japan's largest chains. An official for Ito-Yokado Co., second largest chain operator with 181 stores in Japan, said the chain has no immediate plans ...
Japan confirms new BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan has confirmed another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in its domestic herd, a news report said Dec. 11. Japan has had 21 cases in total. The latest was confirmed recently, when Japan's agriculture ministry determined that a cow that died in early December in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido also had the sickness. Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment Dec. 11.
Creekstone Farms ships first exports to Japan ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)--A Kansas meat processor that made international headlines after the U.S. Department of Agriculture refused to allow it to voluntarily test all cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy will resume exports to Japan. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef began shipments during the weekend of Dec. 17, company officials said. Two Creekstone customer representatives from Japan were in Arkansas City recently to arrange for the export shipment.
U.S. cattlemen see progress in South Korea U.S. and South Korean trade negotiators have come to an initial import protocol regarding the resumption of some U.S. beef exports to South Korea. The terms of the announcement resolves that South Korea will accept U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age, but will continue its ban on U.S. bone-in beef and variety meats--which historically accounted for roughly half of the total value of U.S. exports to South Korea. In 2003, $815 million worth of U.S. beef and beef products ...
Tissue discovery in shipment prompts renewal of Japanese ban on U.S. beef Beef trade between the U.S. and Japan was again halted Friday, Jan. 20, after vertebral tissue was discovered in a small shipment of U.S. beef at a Japanese port of entry. Under the agreement reached Dec. 12, 2005, the U.S. could export boneless beef to Japan from animals 20 months of age or younger. "Under U.S. regulations, the backbone, or vertebral column, that was exported to Japan is not a specified risk material because it was in beef under 30 months," said U.S. Secretary of ...
South Korea to resume U.S. beef imports as scheduled SEOUL, South Korea (AP)--South Korea plans to resume U.S. beef imports on a limited basis as scheduled, an official said Jan. 22, despite Japan's suspension of such imports due to renewed fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. South Korea plans to resume U.S. beef imports by the end of March after reaching an agreement with the U.S. earlier this month to relax a two-year ban triggered by BSE fears. South Korea was the third-largest foreign market for American beef, after Japan and Mexico,...
Singapore lifts ban on U.S. beef imports SINGAPORE (AP)--Singapore said Jan. 17 that it is ending a ban on beef imports from the United States, two years after it suspended imports following detection of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the state of Washington. "With the lifting of the ban, de-boned beef cuts from young cattle (less than 30 months old) from the U.S. will be allowed for import into Singapore," it said in a statement. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority reviewed its import conditions for beef from ...
R-CALF USA seeks district court hearing on BSE litigation R-CALF USA, on Jan. 6, filed a motion in U.S. District Court--District of Montana (District Court) to request a hearing before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull in its litigation against the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the agency's minimal risk rule (Final Rule) issued in January 2005, which dealt with opening the United States' borders to cattle and beef products from countries affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). R-CALF USA's position is that the 9th Circuit ...
Japan to inspect all U.S. beef TOKYO (AP)--Japan has ordered inspections of all U.S. beef imported over the past month, calling for a full explanation of an American violation of the countries' beef pact. Japan halted U.S. beef imports in mid-January after inspectors found spinal bone in an American veal shipment, renewing fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Tokyo banned American beef imports in 2003 after the first detection of BSE in the U.S. herd.
Founders depart R-CALF USA board Beaumont serves on the Cattlemen's Beef Board and has served on the live cattle marketing committee of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. McDonnell told attendees that R-CALF USA had a representative present a recent World Trade Organization talks in Hong Kong and met with the U.S. Trade Representative during negotiations for an Andean Free Trade Agreement with Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. The average cow-calf herd size of an R-CALF USA member is 835 head.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms BSE in cow The geographic location and age of the cow are consistent with the three domestic cases previously detected through the country's national BSE surveillance program, which has tested more than 87,000 animals since the first case of BSE in Canada in 2003. Terry Stokes, chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association reminded consumers that while this announcement is unfortunate, U.S. beef is still safe to consume. "While this is unfortunate news, the National Cattlemen's ...
BSE detected in Alberta The geographic location and age of this animal are consistent with the three domestic cases previously detected through the national BSE surveillance program and the current understanding of BSE in Canada. Of principal importance from an animal health perspective is Canada's feed ban, which is designed to limit BSE spread and eradicate the disease over time. Analysis of previous Canadian investigations and surveillance results to date continue to indicate that Canada's feed ban is working ...
UW study finds cattle producer response varies to drought Persistent drought in Wyoming reduced cattle producer equity up to 34 percent in a given year during 2000 to 2004 compared to a normal year, according to preliminary results from a survey conducted by the University of Wyoming's College of Agriculture. Other UW investigators involved in this project include Siân Mooney, assistant professor; John Hewlett, farm and ranch management specialist; Padmaja Ponnamaneni, master's student in the department; Steve Paisley, beef cattle specialist in the ...
South Korea partially ends beef ban GWACHEON, South Korea (AP)--South Korea and the U.S. agreed Jan. 13 on partially ending a more-than-two-year import ban on American beef triggered by bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the South Korean government said. South Korea shut its doors to U.S. beef imports in Dec. 2003 after the first U.S. case of BSE. In 2002, South Korea imported 213,000 tons of U.S. beef worth $610 million, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Nebraska Cattlemen welcomes Korean market progress, but will seek full trade Nebraska is the number one beef and meat exporting state and Korea has been the third largest market for beef exports, McClymont said. He added, NC agrees with National Cattlemen's Beef Association leaders who emphasize that because all U.S. beef and beef products are safe from BSE, export markets should accept World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines in their agreements. Until bone-in beef products are allowed by Korea, which were about 50 percent of the trade, Nebraska could ...
Nebraska beef feedlot roundtable offered at three locations in 2006 Morning topics and speakers include: proper antibiotic therapy, Dan Upson, professor emeritus, Kansas State University; past, present and future opportunities of the Nebraska feedlot industry, Terry Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-Lincoln animal scientist; a research and facilities update, Terry Mader, UNL beef specialist, and Galen Erickson, UNL beef feedlot nutrition specialist; and new beef products and demand presented by the Nebraska Beef Council. The Nebraska Beef Feedlot ...
McDonald's criticizes BSE defense Stronger steps are needed to keep infection from entering the food chain for cattle, the critics wrote in comments to the Food and Drug Administration. The government proposed new safeguards two months ago, but researchers said that effort "falls woefully short" and would continue to let cattle eat potentially infected feed, the primary way BSE is spread. The primary firewall against BSE is a ban on cattle remains in cattle feed, which the U.S. put in place in 1997.
Johanns, USTR welcome progress to reopen Korean market to U.S. beef Ambassador Portman said, "Although we appreciate this step toward normalized beef trade with Korea, we are extremely disappointed that Korea did not fully open its market to all U.S. beef products. Together these products historically accounted for approximately 50 percent of U.S. beef exports to Korea." In 2003, before the ban took effect, the United States exported $815 million worth of beef and beef products to Korea, of which $449 million was boneless beef.
Consumer confidence essential in regaining beef market in Japan, USMEF leader says As U.S. beef filters back into Japan after a near two-year ban, rebuilding consumer confidence will be essential in regaining a strong foothold in market share, U.S. Meat Export Federation Philip M. Seng said Dec. 22 at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. In 2003, U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to Japan reached 375,993 mt valued at $1.4 billion. Competition from Australia has increased and Japanese consumer consumption of beef has declined by 10 percent, but USMEF is ...
Beef exporters woo Japanese consumers But U.S. ranchers still "have a higher hill to climb" in convincing Japan's finicky consumers the meat is safe, said Philip Seng, head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Seng said it would be at least three years before American exporters reach the 2003 level of about 300,000 metric tons (330,000 U.S. tons) of beef sold in Japan. Seng outlined plans to win over Japanese wholesalers and consumers with advertisements, trade shows, town hall meetings, endorsements from Japanese who eat U.S. ...
2006 Livestock Congress tackles the politics of disease This address will be followed in the remaining program with a focus on lessons learned about recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza, Foot & Mouth Disease and BSE. An expert panel from the country of origin will outline each disease to the receiving countries. For registration and hotel information, go to www.theisef.com or contact Executive Director Julie Bryant at 817-443-0686 or julie@theisef.com. Registration includes meeting materials, ground admission to the Houston Livestock Show and ...
Strong prices will pace cattle market in near term; ID focus should shift to purpose Framed by Pearson's humorous banter with both panelists and audience member alike, John Roach of Roach Ag Marketing, Ltd., and Walt Hackney of Hackney Cattle Co., shared what they feel will shape the crop and livestock markets for the next year. Hedging risk through noting ideas like Roach's when it comes to the grain markets can help main strength in the cattle industry as it stands today, Hackney said in opening his portfolio of cattle market insights Dec. 9. "People well-versed in risk ...
South Dakota cattlemen meet in Sioux Falls for annual convention Mogck has had plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the cattle business, having produced Angus cattle since 1957. Mogck has shared his experience in the cattle industry as the president of Hutchinson County Cattlemen's Association and the South Eastern Angus Association. "Wayne has been an ardent supporter of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, and has worked hard on behalf of the cattle industry with his business of cattle working equipment," said SDCA president Mike Stahly, who...
Pork posts near record prices Nationwide, times are good for pork producers like Long, in part because of popular low-carb diets and rising exports to countries where worries about bovine spongiform encephalopathy have reduced beef consumption. With the holiday ham season here, pork producers are enjoying near-record prices. Much of the increase is due to a boost in exports, said Steve Meyer, a consultant for the National Pork Producers Council, an Iowa-based industry group.
Policy debate, educational sessions to highlight cattle industry convention and trade show Early registration is currently open for cattle producers and others attending the 2006 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show. More than 5,000 cattle industry participants are expected at the Annual Convention and Trade Show, which will be hosted again by five organizations: The National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc., National Cattlemen's Foundation and Cattle-Fax. For more information about the...
Nebraska Cattlemen sets policy on priority issues NC also will support efforts by the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to develop Johne's disease information pertinent to the Nebraska beef industry. Regarding animal identification, NC recommends the Nebraska Brand Committee continue to aid the industry by supporting premises registration and facilitating the National Animal Identification System wherever possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen Association serves as the spokesman for the state's beef cattle industry...
Nations urged to open markets HONG KONG (AP)--The U.S. secretary of agriculture Dec. 15 urged Asian markets that still ban U.S. beef because of fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy to follow Japan's example and re-open their markets. Mike Johanns, speaking to a U.S. farm group on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization talks, said U.S. beef is "within days, if not as we speak, ready to be shipped into Japan." Johanns asked his South Korean counterpart, Park Hong-soo, Dec. 14 to resume imports of U.S. beef ...
National Beef says profit down 53 percent KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)--National Beef Packing Co. LLC, the nation's fourth-largest beef processor, on Nov. 30 said annual profits dropped 53 percent this year, blaming continued fallout from the bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare. But company officials told analysts that the continued high cost for live cattle and lack of imports squeezed profit margins from 1.7 percent of sales to 1.2 percent. At the same time, Japan has closed its borders to U.S. beef because of BSE concerns, keeping ...
Japan markets stock U.S. beef again TOKYO (AP)--Japan's two mid-sized supermarket chains began selling U.S. beef Dec. 26, believed to be the first supermarkets in the country to restock North American beef after the nation's two-year import ban was eased in mid-December. On Dec. 12, Japan eased the two-year ban on U.S. beef imports after the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was reported in the U.S. herd. Japan had been the most lucrative export market for U.S. ranchers before they were shut out. Ito-Yokado said ...
Ag Secretary asks Congress to pass bird flu funding A major trading partner, South Korea, may soon end its embargo on U.S. beef, Johanns said. We've restored the vast percentage of trade in beef," Johanns said in an interview with The Associated Press. The is considering $3.8 billion (euro3.2 billion) for bird flu preparedness in a defense bill passed by the House early Monday; agriculture plays a small but crucial role in protecting poultry flocks, and Johanns' agency would get nearly $100 million of the money.
Johanns promotes U.S. ag trade issues at WTO meeting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns returned to Washington Dec. 19 following travel to attend the 6th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial in Hong Kong. In addition to participating in the WTO Ministerial, Johanns met with several important U.S. trading partners to advance agriculture trade. --Russia: U.S. Trade Representative Portman and Johanns met with Russian Trade Minister German Gref to discuss issues regarding Russia's negotiations for WTO accession, especially access for...
Hong Kong partially lifts 2-year-old ban on U.S. beef HONG KONG (AP)--Hong Kong said Dec. 28 it has partially lifted a ban on U.S. beef imports that became effective two years ago following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in America. The decision, effective immediately, came about two weeks after Japan announced it would relax its ban on U.S. beef. South Korea, another big American trading partner, was also expected to end its embargo soon. The government said it decided to partially lift the ban after becoming satisfied with ...
Colorado Farm Show Agriculture-Pride of Colorado The Colorado Farm Show invites everyone to share Northern Colorado's proud agricultural heritage, Jan. 24, 25 and 26 at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley, Colo. Wednesday, Jan. 25, focuses on Beef and Dairy production with seminar topics to include the use of Dried Distillers Grains in feedlot cattle, homeland security, BSE, dairy pregnancy costs and air emissions from dairy farms. Alfalfa Seeding Rates and Round-Up Ready Alfalfa will round out the seminar topics for the 2006 Colorado ...

December 2005
U.S. aims to lift BSE-related restrictions on Canadian cattle The restrictions, in place since Canada's first case of the disease was disclosed in 2003, were eased earlier this year to allow younger cattle to enter the United States. Industry officials argue that rules for how cattle are slaughtered would keep the disease from ever entering the human or animal food supply. The USDA said it is writing a rule that would lift remaining restrictions on Canadian cattle.
KS Corn Commission joins USMEF Million Dollar Club The Kansas Corn Commission reached a major milestone as it was welcomed into the U.S. Meat Export Federation's Million Dollar Club at the USMEF Strategic Planning And Marketing Conference in San Antonio recently. "The Kansas Corn Commission has been a proud supporter of USMEF for more than 26 years," according to Jere White, Kansas Corn Commission executive director. The Kansas Corn Commission has actively supported USMEF efforts to reopen export markets for U.S. beef in Japan after BSE was...
From the field to the table: Organic agriculture's success tied closely to consumer wants, demands For many reasons, consumer demand continues to bloom for organic food products, yet organic production in the U.S. has leveled off in recent years. "The amount of actual land in the U.S. for organic production has not increased," DiMatteo said during a visit with attendees to the Iowa Organic Conference. The Organic Trade Association, in an effort to encourage greater government influence on the improvement of organic agriculture, has drafted a potential Organic Title for the 2007 farm bill...
Cattle tracking system brings technology to the Kansas range Rard, who hauls for National Carriers, based in Liberal, said his truck is the fourth to be outfitted with an animal identification tracking system--part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture pilot project being conducted at Kansas State. Kansas State's project that tracks cattle as they get on and off a truck is one of 29 pilots across the nation funded in the wake of a mandatory national animal identification system, said Dale Blasi, a Kansas State beef specialist leading the project with the...
South Korea beef talks in January South Korea slapped the ban on U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after a Holstein cow in the U.S. state of Washington tested positive for BSE. During the Dec. 20 meeting, South Korea and the U.S. did not go into details on specific import conditions, such as designating U.S. slaughter houses allowed to process beef going to South Korea, Park said, calling it premature. Before the ban, South Korea had been the third-largest market for U.S. beef exports.
Nebraska Cattlemen sets policy on priority issues NC also will support efforts by the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to develop Johne's Disease information pertinent to the Nebraska beef industry. Regarding animal identification, NC recommends the Nebraska Brand Committee continue to aid the industry by supporting premises registration and facilitating the National Animal Identification System wherever possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the spokesman for the state's beef cattle industry...
Japanese border partially open U.S. beef, from cattle under 20 months of age, will be allowed into the Japanese market. CCA applauds this partial lifting of the Japanese ban but will continue to work just as diligently on this issue until Japan allows U.S. beef and beef products from cattle under 30 months of age. For U.S. cattlemen to meet export requirements into Japan, cattle must come through a Quality System Assessment (QSA), which is part of the Beef Export Verification (BEV) program run by USDA.
Farm Bureau supports more flexibility for 2007 farm bill Delegates to Nebraska Farm Bureau's 2005 convention in Kearney recently adopted resolutions to make the 2007 farm bill more flexible in dealing with World Trade Organization requirements. "The delegates supported looking at a revenue-support-based safety net to assist producers in times of low revenues, rather than the current safety net which is triggered by low prices," Rob Robertson, Nebraska Farm Bureau vice president/governmental relations said Dec. 9. At the state level, the delegates ...
World Trade: Why they don't like us The outcome of the World Trade Organization talks in Hong Kong may fall flat, as 140 nations may not find enough "common ground" to improve their trading relations or there may be incremental progress toward freer trade with lower tariffs and greater allowance for imported products to enter each country's marketplace. Why would a nation block another nation from sending it a variety of high-quality, low-cost food and agricultural products? Since Asian countries imposed a ban on U.S. beef ...
U.S. beef industry responds to Japanese border opening U.S. beef, if shipped to Japan by barge, will reach Japanese grocery shelves within 17 to 21 days, according to National Cattlemen's Beef Association International Markets committee chairman, Jamie Willrett. Up to 2003, Japan imported between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion in U.S. beef each year while in 2002, Canada exported U.S.$59 million of beef to Japan. To others in the U.S. beef industry, the Dec. 12 announcement that U.S. beef can again reach Japanese consumers was met more cautiously...
Texas Briton has vCJD HOUSTON (AP)--A Briton who lived in Houston for four years has been diagnosed with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of bovine spongiform encephlopathy, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said. The U.K. National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit in Edinburgh, Scotland, informed the Atlanta-based CDC of the probable variant CJD diagnosis, and told the U.S. disease center that the case would need to be reported as a U.S. case since the symptoms appeared when he lived...
Some Assembly Required Christmas arrived early for U.S. beef producers with the opening of the Japanese market. The beef market that U.S. beef exporters return to is not the same $1.4 billion annual market that they left behind on Dec. 23, 2003 when the cow that stole Christmas was discovered in this country. Opening of the Japanese market is a great early Christmas gift for U.S. beef producers, but some assembly is required to make it work.
Roberts, Moran applaud Japan's decision to open markets to U.S. beef Other efforts by Roberts and Moran have included meetings with President Bush, the Japanese Ambassador, the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sen. Roberts and Rep. Moran commend U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Portman for their commitment to resolving this difficult issue. With the opening of Japan, 70 countries have now established trade to at least selected U.S. beef and beef products.
Reports: Japan to ease ban on U.S. beef imports Dec. 12 TOKYO (AP)--Japan will ease its two-year-old ban on U.S. and Canadian beef in mid December, a move that could put American steaks on Japanese plates by the New Year, news reports said Dec. 7, as the country's food commission prepared a report on the embargo. Tokyo has sent Washington a schedule for easing the ban by Dec. 12, the Asahi newspaper reported. The Food Safety Commission Dec. 8 is to present its report stating that there is little difference in the risk of bovine spongiform ...
Kansas corn producers celebrate reopening of beef market to Japan Kansas corn producers received good news today when they learned Japan was reopening its doors to U.S. beef products. News about the BSE case hit right before Christmas and was worse than finding a lump of coal in your stocking," recalled Jere White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Corn Growers Association. "The corn commission had been working with the U.S. Meat Export Federation to build consumer markets for our beef in Japan.
Japan studying public comments Officials from the government's Food Safety Commission are examining comments gathered through its website and a series of meetings to see if any new scientifically important considerations have been raised, said commission spokeswoman Akiko Hosokawa. Hosokawa said there is a "possibility" that the Food Safety Commission, which received the public comments Dec. 1, will make a recommendation to both the Health Ministry and the Agricultural Ministry about the resumption of U.S. beef at its next...
Japan food commission finds beef from young U.S. cattle safe TOKYO (AP)--Japan's food commission declared beef from young American cattle safe Dec. 8, paving the way for the government to ease a two-year import ban and resolve a bitter trade tiff with its top ally. Commission members, however, said that the safety of American beef would depend on U.S. inspectors following strict guidelines, such as removing dangerous material such as brains and spinal cords. "We are pleased that Japan's Food Safety commission has agreed that U.S. beef is safe, and we ...
Japanese border opens to U.S. beef On Monday, Dec. 12, Japanese officials announced the nation's resumption of the import of U.S. beef. The move by Japanese to restore beef trade with the U.S. was met with a similarly trade-liberalizing move by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced the lifting of restrictions placed on the importation of some meat and animal products enacted in September 2001 after Japan confirmed BSE in its domestic herd. In the agreement ...
Confusion, questions as cattle industry awaits Japanese beef trade BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--For ranchers like Bill Donald, the resumption of beef trade with Japan, two years after bovine spongiform encephalopathy turned up in this country, would be huge. U.S. agricultural and political leaders have been pushing hard for the reopening of the Japanese market, which was worth more than $1 billion annually in U.S. beef sales before the discovery of BSE in a Washington state cow in December 2003. That case, the first of two, prompted dozens of countries to ban U.S...
State's certified beef program winning praise RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP)--A state project that promotes local beef is paying off, according to state officials and ranchers who are participating in the South Dakota Certified Beef program. Van Bockern wants to offer South Dakota Certified Beef in other Minerva's restaurants but said an adequate supply must be assured first. Four small plants in South Dakota are processing South Dakota Certified Beef.
Roberts says continued Japan beef ban would have repercussions WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--Sen. Pat Roberts assured Kansas cattlemen Dec. 2 that if Japan does not open its market to U.S. beef by the end of this month, it could face repercussions, not only in terms of trade but in the relationship between the two countries. Speaking to reporters after addressing the Kansas Livestock Association's convention here, Roberts said he thought it was unlikely that Japan wouldn't eliminate the ban on U.S. beef soon, as Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has ...
Public hearing participants split over whether Japan was too hasty in OK'ing U.S. beef The hearings, part of a process that could lead to a resumption of imports of American beef products by the end of this year, have focused on a report approved by a Food Safety Commission panel on Nov. 2 that found little difference in the risk of infection from BSE between U.S. and Japanese beef. Of the 534 participants polled in seven locations across Japan--including representatives of consumer organizations, food industry workers and local government officials--41 percent said the panel ...
KLA members gather for annual convention in Wichita On the slate of business were discussions on topics of vital importance to the cattle industry, including animal health and the National Animal Identification System, as well as issues that affect the day-to-day business operations of Kansas ranchers. KLA members approved the amended resolution regarding animal identification to emphasize the disease traceback component of a national animal identification program and also "optimize the role of the private sector to administer the program and ...
BSE's not the only trade barrier hurting U.S. cattlemen Dramatic reduction of the tariffs saddling U.S. beef exports is a top priority for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) in all of the work we do on international trade. Immediate elimination of tariffs on prime and choice cuts, as well as the phase-out of tariffs on all U.S. beef, were the key reasons that NCBA supported CAFTA so strongly. Along with the Bush Administration, USDA, the U.S. Trade Representative, and key members of Congress, NCBA is working every day to restore ...

November 2005
Moran continues efforts to reopen Japanese market to U.S. beef After recently testifying in front of the House Ways and Means Committee on the importance of the issue, Congressman Jerry Moran continued his work to reopen the Japanese market to U.S. beef. In a speech to the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, Moran spoke about the economic harm U.S. farmers and ranchers are experiencing as a result of the Japanese embargo on American beef. In addition, Moran has met with President Bush and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to discuss this issue,...
Japan's food safety panel delays recommending end to U.S. beef ban TOKYO (AP)--A Japanese government panel on bovine spongiform encephalopathy delayed a decision Oct. 24 on whether to recommend easing a two-year-old ban on U.S. beef imports, despite preparing a draft report concluding the risk from American beef is very low. The panel's task is to make a risk evaluation, but not to express views on whether Japan should resume U.S. beef imports. The U.S. frustration over the import ban and Tokyo's dragging examination of U.S. beef safety has built up recently...
Japan FSC OKs BSE report TOKYO (AP)--Japan's Food Safety Commission approved a report on bovine spongiform encephalopathy Nov. 2, bringing the country one step closer to the resumption of U.S. beef imports. The draft report, issued Oct. 31 by the commission's panel on BSE, found that the risk of infection from U.S. beef is extremely low if proper precautions are taken, and is little different from the risk from eating Japanese beef. Japan imposed the ban in December 2003 after the first case of BSE was reported in ...
Japanese panel rules U.S. beef safe enough TOKYO (AP)--The risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy infection in U.S. beef is nearly as low as Japanese beef if proper precautions are taken, a government panel ruled Oct. 31, a decision expected to lead to an easing of an import ban that has caused tensions with Washington. After lengthy negotiations, the U.S. and Japanese governments this year agreed that Tokyo would allow the import of U.S. beef from the younger cows. Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Oct. 29 in Washington ...
Japanese mostly oppose U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Nearly 70 percent of Japanese are opposed to lifting a two-year ban on imports of U.S. beef, a newspaper poll said Oct. 26 as Japan continues to debate whether to resume imports. Tokyo and Washington agreed earlier this year to allow imports of meat from cows under 21 months old, but Japan's Food Safety Commission is still evaluating the safety of American beef. The Asahi poll found 21 percent of respondents said they would welcome a resumption of imports of U.S. beef, down from ...
Carpenter recognized for industry service The Red Angus Association of America announced that Barry Carpenter, Deputy Administrator of the Livestock and Seed Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, has been selected to receive the Association's Industry Service Award. Barry oversees the Audit, Review and Compliance Branch in which Red Angus' Feeder Calf Certification Program is housed, the Standardization Branch which oversees branded beef programs including Angus Pride and Sterling Silver, and the Meat Grading and Certification ...
Animal disease study researchers renew request for producer participation The initial phase of a new animal disease study has begun, but more producer participation is needed, said a researcher from the National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense at Texas A&M University. The study, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, will focus on the control and prevention of foreign and emerging diseases in cloven-hoofed animals, such as beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats and deer. The study will help us determine the frequency of animal contact, ...
U.S. will not scale back BSE testing WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. government plans to indefinitely maintain its faster level of testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, rather than scaling back testing in December as originally envisioned, according to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. With the lucrative Japanese market poised to reopen to U.S. cattle, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says he wants government scientists to continue testing about 1,000 cattle a day. Johanns said he wants to make sure testing ...
U.S. to Japan: Lift beef ban BUSAN, South Korea (AP)--The United States pressed Japan Nov. 16 to speedily open its market to U.S. beef imports in a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, a senior Japanese official said. Japan's ban on beef imports was the only sticking point in Foreign Minister Taro Aso's bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the hall where meetings among officials from 21 Asia Pacific region economies are being held in this South Korean port...
Oh, Canada? Recent comments by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Administrator for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Ron DeHaven regarding live cattle imports from Canada have left some in Washington wringing their hands about yet another heated debate in the beef industry. It wasn't too long ago that APHIS and USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) went through a similar process to restore trade between Canada and the U.S. in regards to live cattle under 30 months of age and ...
Report finds flaws in BSE testing program WASHINGTON (AP)--Government investigators say testing is too slow at times to prevent cattle from eating feed that might be contaminated, just one flaw they cited in a program to help stop bovine spongiform encephalopathy from spreading. Adding animal protein to feed is commonly done to speed growth, but the United States has banned cattle protein in cattle feed since 1997. Cattle feed is eaten quickly after it's manufactured, and the feed may have been consumed before tests are finished, GAO...
Producers are focal point for KLA Convention Beef producers will be exposed to information that will help them establish or modify their business plan during the Kansas Livestock Association Convention, Dec. 1 and 2 in Wichita. Speakers will focus on issues that affect the business and consumer climate faced by the beef industry, while policy meetings will rely on extensive KLA member input to develop resolutions that protect the interests of beef producers. Jim McAdams, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president, will lead off ...
Most of BSE herd killed before inquiry One offspring of the infected cow could not be located and might have entered the food supply, the researchers said. BSE is not necessarily transmitted to offspring, but it is "quite possible that an offspring of the infected cow got in the food supply," McGarity said. Coats said there should be no fear of an infected cow entering the human food supply.
Japan in no hurry to lift beef ban TOKYO (AP)--Japan is in no hurry to lift its two-year ban on U.S. beef imports, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Oct. 26, after a government panel delayed a decision recently on whether to declare American beef safe for consumption in Japan. On Oct. 24, a government panel on bovine spongiform encephalopathy delayed a decision on whether to declare U.S. beef imports safe, despite drafting a report that the risk from U.S. beef is very low. U.S. lawmakers, frustrated with Japan's foot-...
Japan: U.S. tariff won't matter Japan, once American beef's most lucrative foreign market, closed its borders to U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the detection of the first U.S. case of BSE. Kent Conrad and Pat Roberts, would require President George W. Bush to impose tariffs on Japanese products if Japan doesn't reopen its domestic market to U.S. beef by the end of the year. Japan bought more than $1 billion worth of U.S. beef in 2003, making it the biggest overseas market for American beef products.
U.S. will not scale back BSE testing WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. government plans to indefinitely maintain its faster level of testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, rather than scaling back testing in December as originally envisioned, according to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. With the lucrative Japanese market poised to reopen to U.S. cattle, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says he wants government scientists to continue testing about 1,000 cattle a day. Johanns said he wants to make sure testing ...
U.S. lauds Japan for opening markets U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman, whose office released an 87-page report Nov. 2 on Japan's regulatory improvements, said Japan was working "to cut away the web of regulations that have hampered the ability of U.S. companies to do business in key sectors." Portman also welcomed news that Japan's Food Safety Commission had approved a report on bovine spongiform encephalopathy that brings Japan a step closer to restarting U.S. beef imports. Before Japan banned U.S. beef in 2003, when BSE ...
Report finds flaws in BSE testing program WASHINGTON (AP)--Government investigators say testing is too slow at times to prevent cattle from eating feed that might be contaminated, just one flaw they cited in a program to help stop bovine spongiform encephalopathy from spreading. Adding animal protein to feed is commonly done to speed growth, but the United States has banned cattle protein in cattle feed since 1997. Cattle feed is eaten quickly after it's manufactured, and the feed may have been consumed before tests are finished, GAO...
Producers are focal point for KLA Convention Beef producers will be exposed to information that will help them establish or modify their business plan during the Kansas Livestock Association Convention, Dec. 1 and 2 in Wichita. Speakers will focus on issues that affect the business and consumer climate faced by the beef industry, while policy meetings will rely on extensive KLA member input to develop resolutions that protect the interests of beef producers. Jim McAdams, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president, will lead off ...
Japan must inspect U.S. beef facilities even if imports are resumed, minister says The comments came after a government panel on bovine spongiform encephalopathy on Oct. 24, delayed a decision on whether to declare U.S. beef imports safe, despite drafting a report that the risk from American beef is very low. "If U.S. beef imports are resumed, the Japanese government must inspect meat processing plants and other facilities in the U.S. to make sure appropriate checks are being carried out," the minister told reporters. Japan and the United States agreed earlier this year to ...
Also speaking at the Kansas Commodity Classic: --Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Director of the Value-Added Business Development Program, Kansas State University. --Other breakout sessions included the following: Minimizing Risk in a Volatile World, Dave Spears, Director of Kansas Farm Bureau Ag Solutions; Kansas Water Update, Tracy Streeter, Director of Kansas Water Office; Kansas Legislative Outlook, Senator Steve Morris, President, Kansas Senate; Cotton: The Risk to Reward Ratio, Randy Lucas, producer; Joey Kueler, crop consultant, Charley ...
Politics of pandemic As leaders of the free word, with arguably the most robust and sophisticated agriculture in the world, most would think that the U.S. has progressed beyond the animal and plant health disaster that plague the developing world for lack of resources and science. But in recent years, the ability for the U.S. to not only apply this science but leverage the necessary relationship between private industry and the U.S. government health research complex has raised questions to that assumption. In ...
EU to lift four-year BSE ban on T-bone, famous Fiorentina steaks BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP)--European Union veterinary experts recommended lifting a four-year ban on steaks on the bone Oct. 5, including Italy's famous Fiorentina steaks, ending a moratorium imposed during the 2001 bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis. The EU banned the sales of steaks on the bone from animals aged over 12 months in 2001, to reduce the risk of humans contracting a brain-wasting disease from eating beef infected with BSE. EU experts in late September also issued a "...

October 2005
Various groups file amicus curiae brief to support rehearing of border case Almost two dozen national, state, regional and county organizations have jointly filed an amici curiae, or 'friend-of-the-court', brief in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to show support for R-CALF USA's petition for a rehearing in its litigation that challenges the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Final Rule on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) minimal-risk regions. On March 2, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana granted R-CALF USA's request for a ...
Thailand lifts BSE ban on U.S. beef U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said it is time for other Asian markets, particularly Japan, once the biggest customer of U.S. beef, to follow. "There is no justifiable reason for borders to be closed to U.S. beef," Johanns said in a statement from Geneva, where he was attending global trade talks with U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. Japan, formerly the biggest U.S. beef customer, purchased $1.5 billion (euro1.25 billion) in U.S. beef that year.
Producers, groups want 2002 farm bill intact LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Without exception, farmers and commodity and livestock groups attending a listening session told U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and three Texas congressmen that the 2002 farm bill should be retained. The farm bill, which is actually a law renewed regularly, provides billions of dollars in crop subsidies. Matt Brockman, spokesman for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, told the officials the 2007 farm bill needs to address disease ...
May take years to rebuild Japan beef trade TOKYO (AP)--Amid mounting tension over Japan's ban on American beef, the head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation warned Sept. 29, it would take years to regain lost market share even if Tokyo did reopen its markets. Proposed restrictions on what U.S. beef would be readmitted mean that only as much as 35 percent of American cattle would be eligible for export, federation president Philip Seng said in Tokyo. Those restrictions would greatly narrow the number of U.S. cattle eligible for export ...
Japanese ambassador visits Kansas State University The resumption of beef trade between the United States and Japan is very close, according to Ryozo Kato, Japanese ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Kato, the featured speaker at the 139th Landon Lecture at Kansas State University, said it was very possible that Japanese markets would open to U.S. beef by the end of the year. Most of Ambassador Kato's speech dealt with geopolitics in Asia and not with opening Japanese markets to U.S. beef products.
KSU researchers study cattle eyes for a more accurate age verifier Some beef importers, including key buyer Japan, have said they will only accept beef from cattle that are 20 months of age or younger. Nine months ago Japan agreed that it would resume purchases as long as the beef was from cattle 20 months of age or younger. "If the eye lens method is more accurate in determining the age of cattle, then both beef processors and cattle producers could benefit because a higher percentage of cattle would be eligible for export," Dikeman said.
Japanese ambassador visits Kansas State University The resumption of beef trade between the United States and Japan is very close, according to Ryozo Kato, Japanese ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Kato, the featured speaker at the 139th Landon Lecture at Kansas State University, said it was very possible that Japanese markets would open to U.S. beef by the end of the year. Most of Ambassador Kato's speech dealt with geopolitics in Asia and not with opening Japanese markets to U.S. beef products.
Japan beef ban 'inexplicable' WASHINGTON (AP)--A top State Department official continued a U.S. offensive on Japanese trade practices Sept. 29, calling Japan's delay in lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports "inexplicable." Rep. Jerry Moran, who represents a major beef-producing district in Kansas, has introduced a House resolution that calls for retaliatory economic measures against Japan if the ban on U.S. beef should continue. A Japanese official specializing in U.S.-Japan economic issues said Sept. 29 that Japan is "aware...
It's time It is estimated the loss to the U.S. beef industry has been $5.4 billion or $2.7 billion per year. "With this kind of economic loss, the American beef industry cannot afford to wait any longer," Sen. Roberts said. Over a year ago, U.S. officials agreed to accept a condition of importing cattle only 20 months and younger.
Canadian cattle trade flows, but not as fast as normal BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Canada has shipped nearly 250,000 cattle to U.S. feedlots and slaughter plants in the three months since a ban on cattle from that country was lifted by a federal appeals court. However, over time the market had adjusted to a certain number of Canadian cattle, and "that dent that people expected from Canadian cattle coming in just didn't materialize," he said. In May 2003, the United States banned Canadian cattle imports after Canada reported a case of BSE.
2005 a year of accomplishments, TCFA chairman tells members 2005 was a fast-paced and hectic year, but a year that cattle feeders can look back on as one that saw several major accomplishments come to pass, according to Charlie Sellers, chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA). Sellers told the nearly 500 cattle feeders in attendance that he is optimistic about the cattle industry because he is bullish on protein and world consumption. Sellers told cattle feeders that a number of challenging issues remain, but he is confident the ...
Tempting a trade war? It seems Washington lawmakers have drawn the last straw in what was once diplomatic negotiations to resume beef trade with Japan. The events that have precipitated in the last 72 hours have escalated diplomatic negotiations to what many are calling a fledgling trade war between the U.S. and Japan. Since March, Senator John Thune along with 10 of his Senate colleagues have supported a resolution that calls for U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman to employ immediate retaliatory ...
Numbers show more beef imports from Canada Since last winter several beef industry groups, such as the America Meat Institute (AMI) and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) have implied that the U.S. is importing as much Canadian product as we were prior to the Canadian BSE problem with the only difference being that the product is now strictly beef instead of beef and cattle. Using a 750 pound carcass weight the 1.7 million cattle had a beef equivalency of 1.3 billion pounds for a total beef and veal import equivalency (...
Japan still top Asian customer for U.S. farmers With this increase, it's easy to overlook the importance of another Asian nation as an even more important U.S. customer. Japan ranks as the third largest customer for U.S. food and agricultural products, trailing only Canada and Mexico. Before the beef ban, Japan had a proven track record as a reliable and cooperative customer of U.S. agricultural and food products. In response to these problems the Japanese government created an independent Japanese Food Safety Commission to study and ...
Farm Bureau condemns Japan's failure to resume beef trade The American Farm Bureau Federation's Board of Directors, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, unanimously condemned the Japanese government's failure to resume beef trade with the United States. AFBF told Johanns that Japan's ban on U.S. beef imports has directly affected American beef producers and has cost the U.S. beef industry more than $1.7 billion a year. Since the United States and Japan reached an agreement nearly one year ago to facilitate the resumption of U.S...
Roberts urges retaliation in Japan beef spat U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and 20 other senators on Oct. 7 wrote in frustration to urge U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to use retaliatory measures against Japan's unjustified trade barrier to United States beef. Furthermore, after 20 confirmed cases of BSE in Japan, recent claims by the FSC that U.S. beef is not as safe as Japanese beef simply are an insult to American producers. However, the Japanese government must understand that the American beef industry and government cannot ...
Roberts: Further Japanese delay of beef trade merits actions on tariffs or sanctions U.S. Senator Pat Roberts Sept. 27 denounced the decision by the Japanese Food Safety Commission to indefinitely delay the resumption of beef trade with the U.S. and indicated his intent to send a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman calling for retaliatory economic action against Japanese goods. In mid-September Senator Roberts and Senator Wayne Allard, R-CO successfully led an effort to pass a sense of the Senate Resolution to delay imports of Japanese beef into the U.S. until ...
Japan welcomes BSE report as offering 'bright outlook' for U.S. beef trade TOKYO (AP)--Japan's top government spokesman on Oct. 5 welcomed a recent report on bovine spongiform encephalopathy saying it offered a "bright outlook" for the resumption of U.S. beef imports to Japan. A government food safety panel charged with reviewing Japan's ban on U.S. beef released an uncompleted report Oct. 4 saying that the risk of BSE entering Japan in American beef is extremely low if proper precautions are followed. The talks come amid threats by some lawmakers in Washington to ...
Japanese delay on lifting beef ban raises U.S. ire WASHINGTON (AP)--Lawmakers reacted angrily to Japan's delay on lifting a ban on American beef. Recently, the Senate voted to keep Kobe beef off U.S. menus if Japan won't lift its ban. U.S. regulators proposed last month to partially lift the ban on Japanese beef.
Iowa beef producers participate Asian trade mission Two Iowa beef producers participated in an Iowa Meat Trade Mission to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in late September. Dan Petersen, cattle producer from Muscatine, and Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) chairman, and Stan Zylstra, cattle feeder from Hull, and Iowa representative to the Cattlemen's Beef Board, represented Iowa's beef producers. Iowa beef and pork producers traveled to South Korea, Japan and Taiwan to encourage exports of Iowa beef and pork.
FDA wants to ban cow brains, spinal cords from all animal feed to prevent BSE The proposal announced Oct. 4 is designed to eliminate the need for banning chicken litter from cattle feed because chickens would no longer be fed cow brains and spinal cords, among the cattle parts most likely to contain BSE. The ban prohibited all cattle protein from being used in cattle feed, with the exceptions of poultry litter, plate waste and blood, which can contain cattle protein. FDA's new proposal would ban from livestock feed the brain and spinal cord--tissues that can carry BSE...
Beef industry outlook bright says Outstanding Agriculturalist Award winner As evidence of continued consumer confidence, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), acting as a contractor for the Cattlemen's Beef Board, surveyed consumers in January 2005 finding a confidence level of 93 percent, True said. True, a partner in True companies and managing member of True Ranches LLC of Casper, has served the beef industry at the state and national level in many capacities. Despite the hits, American consumer expenditures on beef rose from $46 billion in 1998 to just ...
State AGs file brief in support of Canada border rehearing On March 2, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana granted R-CALF USA's request for a preliminary injunction that halted implementation of USDA's Final Rule on BSE minimal-risk regions, scheduled to reopen the Canadian border on March 7. On March 3, the U.S. Senate voted 52-46 to overturn USDA's Final Rule, but efforts seeking the same action from the U.S. House of Representatives were unsuccessful. On March 17, the USDA appealed the preliminary injunction, and on July 14, a ...
Senate votes to continue U.S. ban on Japanese beef imports WASHINGTON (AP)--Kobe beef should stay off U.S. menus if Japan won't buy American beef, the Senate has decided. Senators retaliated Sept. 20 against Japan for refusing to lift a bovine spongiform encephalopahty-related ban on U.S. beef. On a 72 to 26 vote, the Senate adopted an amendment prohibiting importation of Japanese beef until Japan lifts its ban.
Opposition arises to Japanese beef imports The Colorado Cattlemen's Association (CCA) strongly opposes the USDA's proposed plan for importing Japanese beef into the U.S. previous to resuming U.S. beef exports to Japan. "It is imperative that we refrain from importing Japanese beef until the export market to Japan is opened," CCA President Bill Gray said. The Japanese government has acknowledged the U.S.'s technical standards in preventing BSE from being a human and animal safety concern; while at the same time, inexcusably, ...
NCBA: Continued Japanese embargo on U.S. beef exports unacceptable Cattle producer members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), the largest organization representing cattle producers, see next month as a significant milestone in the push for resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan. "The U.S. beef supply is the safest in the world, and Japanese consumers again deserve the right to enjoy U.S. beef," says Jay Truitt, NCBA vice president of government affairs. Japanese consumers are also eager to enjoy U.S. beef products and America's cattle ...
Japan urges beef trade efforts TOKYO (AP)--Japan's agricultural minister expressed concerns Sept. 27 about possible U.S. reprisals after Tokyo deferred a decision on lifting its 20-month ban on American beef imports, and he urged closer cooperation between the two countries to resume the trade. Japan's Food Safety Commission said Sept. 26 it needed more time to evaluate U.S. safeguards before deciding whether to resume imports of American beef. Some U.S. officials have threatened sanctions unless Tokyo resumes imports of ...
Japan getting closer to beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Japan, facing pressure from Washington to lift a 20-month ban on American beef, released on Oct. 4 an uncompleted report from a food safety panel stating that the risk of U.S. beef carrying Bovine s pongiform Encephalopthy into the country was extremely low if proper conditions are followed. Some U.S. officials have threatened sanctions unless Tokyo resumes imports of U.S. beef from younger cows, but Tokyo says the decision rests with an independent panel of scientists at its food...
Favorable EU medical report brings end to British beef ban closer BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP)--European Union inspectors issued a "satisfactory" progress report on the containment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Britain, raising prospects that the ban on British beef exports may soon be lifted. The veterinary report which was published Sept. 28, "concludes that satisfactory progress was noted in most areas." "This favorable report means that the two conditions set by the Commission on lifting the embargo on British beef have now been met," said spokesman ...
Cattle breeders on a quest for superior genetics In recent years, the increase can be linked to specific food products, said Vern Pierce, beef economist with University of Missouri Commercial Ag Team. Producers whose cattle have certain characteristics that may be desirable for certain products could organize and sell their animals together, Pierce said. "We're trying to push the Charolais cattle to perform along with the rest of the beef industry," said Andy Van Aernam, beef herdsman at the Northwest farm.

September 2005
U.S. government ends inconclusive BSE investigation WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. government Aug. 30 closed its investigation into the United States' first domestic case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, saying it could not pin down how a cow was infected with the brain-wasting ailment. Officials continue to believe the 12-year-old Brahma cross cow ate contaminated feed before the United States banned from cattle feed ground-up cattle remains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture promised to hustle the system into place after discovering the ...
Japanese food panel: More study needed before reopening market to U.S. beef A Food Safety Commission special panel on BSE met and examined so-called "worst-case scenarios" of the chances of importing unsafe American beef, said panel spokesman Eisaku Kikuchi. Opinion on the panel varied widely over the safety of lifting the ban on U.S. beef imports, Kikuchi said. Prior to the Dec. 24, 2003, ban, Japan was the most lucrative overseas market for U.S. beef, and Washington has been pushing hard for a resumption.
The Philippines lifts ban on U.S. beef Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Aug. 4 announced that the Philippines will resume imports of U.S. beef and beef products. "I am very pleased with the reopening of the Philippines market to U.S. beef and beef products, which demonstrates their commitment to trade based on internationally accepted scientific standards for human and animal health," said Johanns. "The Philippines recognizes that U.S. beef and beef products are safe.
Senators call for more pressure on Japan to lift beef import ban WASHINGTON (AP)--Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts and nine of his colleagues, including Sen. Wayne Allard, R-CO, have asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reconsider allowing Japanese beef imports as long as Japan continues its ban on American beef. In a letter Sept. 9, the lawmakers complained that Japan's food regulators have unreasonably delayed the resumption of beef trade with the United States despite scientific evidence that U.S. beef is safe. "It is simply unfair for Japan to demand ...
New blood test may find CJD Researchers led by neurology professor Claudio Soto at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston report they have developed a method of multiplying the number prions in a blood sample so a blood test then can detect them. In addition to improving the safety of the blood supply, a practical test could help find infected people and animals before they show symptoms. Blood tests then were able to detect the prions in 16 of the 18 infected animals.
Johanns comes home for forum A wealth of different opinions on the future of farm programs, trade and conservation issues cascaded upon Johanns during a Farm Bill Forum sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To that end, Johanns opened the forum by announcing the addition of Nebraska, California and Minnesota to the list of states participating in USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Land Contract Guarantee Pilot Program. There were several persons who called for limitations on farm payments, something Johanns ...
BSE feed rules to be tightened Ground-up cattle remains--leftovers from slaughtering operations--were used as protein in cattle feed until 1997, when a BSE outbreak in Britain prompted the U.S. to ban the feed industry from using cattle remains in cattle feed. However, the U.S. ban doesn't apply to feed for other animals, creating a potential pathway for the BSE protein to be fed back to cattle. Crawford did not say whether the new regulations would ban cattle blood and restaurant leftovers, also considered potential ...
Sen. Roberts urges secretary of ag to open U.S. borders to Japanese beef imports U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, joined by nine of his Senate colleagues, recently wrote a letter to Secretary Johanns of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging USDA to reconsider opening U.S. borders to Japanese beef imports. This letter was prompted by the the Japanese Food Safety Commission's recent announcement that it would continue to delay the resumption of beef trade with the United States, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety of the U.S. food ...
Humans may be BSE source (AP)--A new theory proposes that bovine spongiform encephalopathy may have come from feeding British cattle with meal contaminated with human remains infected with a permutation of the disease. A handful of TSEs are found in humans, including Kuru, Alper's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or CJD. However, a pair of British scientists now propose the origin may be the bones of people infected with classical CJD, which they theorize ended up in cattle feed imported from South Asia.
NFU: Too much beef already? National Farmers Union expressed concern over the closing of meat packing facilities due to unfavorable market conditions. The reduction in U.S. cattle slaughter comes in the wake of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to re-open the Canadian border to cattle trade. The National Beef Packing Company said that the industry is killing too many cattle given the current domestic beef demand and the continued closure of the United State's largest export markets.

August 2005
USMEF promotes beef at Beirut trade show Visitors received brochures detailing the safety and quality attributes of U.S. beef as well as the merits of the USMEF American Beef Club, an organization of member restaurants committed to serving high quality U.S. beef to discerning diners. In the first five months of 2005, the United States exported 3,923 metric tons (mt) of U.S. beef and beef variety meat to the Middle East, valued at $12.98 million. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing ...
USDA and HHS urged to strengthen BSE protections In addition to making specific recommendations for strengthening BSE protections, the letter cautioned the agency leaders from attempting to represent an animal identification system as a BSE protection measure while simultaneously refusing to test anything except cattle considered a high-risk for BSE. Having the ability to track a disease without simultaneously utilizing existing technologies (BSE testing) to identify all possible BSE cases is of little value to an effective BSE prevention ...
St. Paul processor a supporter of beef labeling "The demand for USA-raised beef by consumers is building across the nation and cattlemen want to meet their demands," he said. Christensen has joined a growing number of independent meat processors and cattle producers who recently initiated a new food logo program that was unveiled by the Cattlemen Competitive Market Project: "Not Just Any Beef ... Christensen joined other beef retailers and cattle producers at a news conference in Washington, D.C., to unveil the new logo.
Montana governor orders beef inspection HELENA, Mont. (AP)--With Canadian cattle beginning to be trucked across the U.S. border again, Gov. Brian Schweitzer on July 21 ordered that all animals destined for Montana be checked to ensure they comply with new federal restrictions. Steve Pilcher, executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers' Association, said his only concern was whether Canadian ranchers could be forced to pay for the inspections in Montana. The added cost will not discourage Canadian ranchers from shipping ...
Montana governor applauded for taking stand on cattle and consumer safety R-CALF USA applauds the efforts of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer for taking steps to maintain the reputation and safety of the cattle herds in Montana and is encouraged by the governor's efforts to encourage other states to take similar actions. State brand inspectors will make certain that all Canadian cattle arriving in Montana are indeed marked with the "CAN" brand. Schweitzer indicated his office is in the process of reviewing applicable statutes regarding the Interstate shipment of ...
Japan eases blanket BSE testing of domestic cattle TOKYO (AP)--Japanese food safety officials postponed a decision on the resumption of U.S. beef imports on Aug. 1, even as less stringent domestic tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy took effect. Japan's food safety commission recommended in May that the government waive BSE tests for cattle younger than 21 months, prompting the Health Ministry to revise a law requiring mandatory testing of all domestic cattle headed for market. The United States, which does not conduct blanket testing,...
Government investigating possible case of BSE It was burned and buried after a local veterinarian removed brain tissue for testing, John Clifford said. The department is conducting further tests at its laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and is sending tissue to be tested by the internationally recognized laboratory in Weybridge, England. While testing in Ames has indicated BSE may be present, the sample did not look like a typical case of BSE, Clifford said.
From burlap to laptop It was Feed Management Systems' software that helped the U.S. Food and Drug Administration trace feed after the first U.S. case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was detected in December 2003. The U.S. feed mill that supplied the feed given to that cow was able to swiftly tap into its computerized records to trace the ingredients used, quickly ruling out the mill's feed as the source of the disease. Feed Management Systems also has feed formulation software with programs used in more...
Consumer confidence in safety of beef remains strong A consumer tracking survey conducted June 27 to 29 found that recent news coverage of BSE has not affected consumer confidence that U.S. beef is safe from BSE. The independently conducted telephone survey of 927 adults found that 92 percent of American consumers are confident that U.S. beef is safe from mad cow disease, a commonly used name for BSE. Consumers appear to understand the BSE firewalls that have been put in place for many years, and they believe the government is doing a good ...
Australian government urges Japan not to lift beef tariffs CANBERRA, Australia (AP)--The Australian government has urged Japan not to increase its beef tariffs next month despite rising imports. Australia's trade and agriculture ministers said there was a strong possibility that the Japanese would lift the tariff from 38.5 percent to 50 percent of the cost from early August of chilled and frozen beef. Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said Canberra had recently asked Tokyo to maintain the lower tariff even if ...
Just a Scoop Full (Aug. 3)--As of early Wednesday morning Aug. 3, packers are bidding $82 per hundredweight with a few cattle trading but most are holding for $83 per hundredweight. Several have said the better fat cattle market was probably already in the making before the news of the negative animal--however it probably didn't hurt anything. Cattle feeders are still betting on a better fat cattle market as they are still aggressive on feeder cattle despite lower fat cattle.
USDA cited plants for violating BSE rules WASHINGTON (AP)--Inspectors have found more than 1,000 violations of rules aimed at preventing bovine spongiform encephalopathy from reaching humans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The USDA said Aug. 15 it had cited beef slaughterhouses or processing plants 1,036 times for failing to comply with rules on removing those tissues, which are commonly called specified risk materials or SRMs. In humans, consuming meat products tainted with BSE is linked to a fatal disorder called ...
Showing all of our cards Clinging tightly to the international standards set by the OIE for animal import and food safety, Johanns has urged the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to review the Japanese food inspection and safety standards to determine the integrity of their system. APHIS and FSIS both determined that it was "no longer necessary" to continue blocking beef imports from Japan--and as such, that the U.S. should resume the purchase of Japanese ...
BSE test options were limited Conducted over the past 14 months, the tests have not been included in the department's running tally of BSE tests since last summer. In the Texas case, officials had declared the cow free of disease in November after an IHC test came back negative. "The IHC test is still an excellent test," Clifford said.
Beef banned under BSE rules recalled from Fla., other states Inspectors there determined the cow was eligible for shipment to the United States, but a Canadian audit two weeks later said the cow was too old to be allowed inside the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating and has suspended the veterinarian who certified the cow, said Francine Lord, import-export manager for the agency's animal health division. Green Bay Dressed Beef of Green Bay, Wis., processed the cow on Aug. 4 and distributed the meat to wholesalers in ...
NCBA updates top policy priorities The official 2005 Policy Agenda of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is a detailed, 175-page compilation of NCBA policy priorities, addressing more than 50 issues. "NCBA works in Washington, D.C., for cattle producers on everything from international trade policy to cattle health policy to marketing issues. --BSE Policy Renewal: NCBA renewed its policy regarding BSE as a foreign animal disease.
Let's ban that too! Deer hunters in Indiana are ganging up to stop the hunting of deer and elk on ranches and they are using the scare tactics commonly employed by anti-agricultural activists to get it accomplished. Those against hunting on ranches are threatening such things as the spread of chronic wasting disease. Hunting ranches may not be everyone's idea of an ideal hunt but for some, the situation is perfect.
Animal ID: What's taking so long? The National Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR) program, managed by Holstein Association USA, Inc. has identified nearly 2.1 million animals on 13,000 farms over the last five years and can track them within 48 hours. In April of 2004, USDA announced the framework for implementing the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). They recently sent a letter to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns requesting implementation of a private sector-based national animal identification system.
Texas officials not contacted about suspected new BSE case (AP)--Texas animal health officials said July 27 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had not contacted them about the latest case of suspected bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In last month's case, though, the state's animal health officials were not informed the animal was from Texas until just before the USDA announced the animal's home. Even before the USDA's confirmatory announcement, though, state animal health officials had placed a hold order on the Texas farm, the location of ...
Texas cattle groups request WTO action The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that shortly after the BSE discovery, $4.8 billion in U.S. beef and beef product exports were banned by several countries. TSCRA President Dick Sherron of Beaumont and TCFA Chairman Charlie Sellers of Amarillo contend that U.S. trade with international customers should resume based on the Office of International Epizootics (OIE) recommendations. The low BSE-risk products (which may be traded without BSE-related regulations) list was also expanded ...
July 27 BSE test is negative In a statement released the morning of Aug. 3, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, has determined that the non-definitive test result reported on July 27 is negative for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). "NVSL and Weybridge conducted the additional testing after a non-definitive IHC test result was received last week," according to a statement by John Clifford, deputy administrator Animal and Plant ...
Governor urged to block Canadian cattle Ron Volesky of Huron, who plans to seek the 2006 Democratic nomination for governor, said the recent reopening of the United States border to Canadian cattle and beef products has put South Dakota's cattle herds at risk of infection from bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In a letter to Rounds, Volesky noted that former Gov. Bill Janklow took the bold step of closing the South Dakota border to Canadian products in September 1998. Resumption of cattle imports from Canada calls for drastic ...
Clock ticking for Japan The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement that the latest bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare was just that--a scare--it looked like we were moving one step closer to resuming beef trade with Japan. While an interesting lesson in parliamentary politics, the concern in Washington is that political turmoil in the Diet will stall out the possibility of moving forward on policy changes in regards to Japan's BSE policy. With BSE policy committee meetings scheduled for the month ...
Border, other issues may affect market psychology, but fundamental impact minimal While the uncertain status of the Canadian border creates some anxiety in the psychology of the U.S. cattle market, the real impact of reopening the border to live cattle should be very limited, according to Randy Blach, Cattle-Fax general manager. Another topic of discussion at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference was the rising U.S. cattle inventory. According to USDA's cattle inventory report released July 1, total U.S. cattle inventory has increased by about 1 percent, or 900,000 head, ...
U.S. treasury secretary expects border to reopen to Canadian cattle CALGARY, Alberta (AP)--U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said July 9 that he expects the U.S. border to reopen soon to Canadian cattle imports, which have been banned for more than two years after bovine spongiform encephalopathy was found in an infected Canadian cow. U.S. government officials expect to overturn a lower court ruling that has delayed its plans to reopen the U.S.-Canadian border to live Canadian cattle. The ban on live Canadian cattle has also been hard on the U.S. packing ...
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling released The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) on July 25 applauded as thorough and insightful the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reasoning for overturning the preliminary ban on live cattle exports to the U.S. The CCA looks forward to a quick and successful conclusion to the legal challenges to the USDA rule and is hopeful that the U.S. District Court, Montana Division will deem further proceedings unnecessary. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the CCA and Alberta Beef Producers' ...
KSU researchers study cattle eyes for a more accurate age verifier Some beef importers, including key buyer Japan, have said they will only accept beef from cattle that are 20 months of age or younger. Nine months ago Japan agreed that it would resume purchases as long as the beef was from cattle 20 months of age or younger. "If the eye lens method is more accurate in determining the age of cattle, then both beef processors and cattle producers could benefit because a higher percentage of cattle would be eligible for export," Dikeman said.
Johanns announces agreements for greater market access for U.S. agriculture in China Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has announced progress with China on several key market access fronts, following meetings here with Chinese officials. In his first visit to China as Secretary of Agriculture, Johanns took part in the meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), a bilateral forum for resolving trade issues, which was also attended by U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Johanns now travels with U.S. ...
Experts don't expect to find other BSE cases following Texas beef cow's death Officials announced in late June that a 12-year-old beef cow from Texas tested positive for BSE, but they don't expect to find another case. The infected Texas cow was sold through a livestock market in November and taken to a slaughterhouse where it was dead on arrival, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said July 1. The cow wasn't unloaded or presented to the slaughterhouse because it was dead, the department said. Officials now are trying to find offspring born in the past two years and ...
Economic report shows Canadian cattle imports will reduce U.S. economic output A nationally recognized agriculture economics expert has released a report titled "An Economic Assessment of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the United States' Cattle and Beef Industries," which projects the expected economic impact on the U.S. cattle industry caused by the reopening of the Canadian border to live cattle imports. The analysis compared the economic impact caused by increased cattle imports from Canada with the economic impact of decreased production by U.S. cattle ...
Council urges creation of centralized animal health agency In addition to establishing a central system to coordinate animal health activities, the report called on the departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security to support rapid development of new technology to detect, diagnose and prevent the spread of animal diseases. Both reports said it is becoming more difficult to handle the increasing problems in animal health because of a growing shortage of veterinary pathologists, lab animal scientists and other veterinary researchers, especially ...
53rd Oklahoma Cattlemen's Convention and Trade Show set for Aug. 4 to 6 The 53rd annual Oklahoma Cattlemen's Convention and Trade Show will get underway on Aug. 4 at the Marriott Hotel with a new concept of OCA committee meetings focusing on beef production and business with Dr. Charles Nichols serving as chairman of the OCA Beef Production Committee and Ford Drummond chairing the OCA Business committees. For further information on OCA Convention registration and other OCA activities contact the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association at 405-235-4391, 2500 Exchange ...

July 2005
West Plains regional sales Medium and large frame 1 and 2, 210 to 265 lbs., 160.00 to 167.00; 300 to 400 lbs., 130.00 to 143.00, package thin 317 lbs., 145.00; 400 to 500 lbs., 118.00 to 132.00; 500 to 600 lbs., 115.00 to 123.00; 600 to 700 lbs., 105.00 to 117.50; 700 to 725 lbs., 104.50 to 108.75; package 790 lbs., 97.50; 825 to 855 lbs., 93.50 to 97.50. Medium and large frame 2, 270 to 280 lbs., 147.50 to 151.00; 300 to 400 lbs., 131.00 to 137.50; 400 to 500 lbs., 116.00 to 125.00, lot thin 404 lbs., 132.00; 500 to ...
U.S., Canadian organizations react to BSE confirmation BSE infectivity has not been found in beef, including steaks, roasts and ground beef." "The BSE safeguards already in place here in the U.S. are more stringent than measures any other country has ever implemented prior to having a case of BSE, including Canada," said McDonnell. "All four Canadian BSE cases came from Alberta--the primary source of Canadian exports of cattle and beef to the United States, which suggests there likely are more BSE-infected cattle in Alberta that could be sent to...
Too Close to Count for CAFTA Similar to Senate procedure, the House Ways and Means Committee must approve the agreement and then come before the full House for consideration. In an effort to rally support for the agreement--but more specifically, quell the concerns of Members with sugar production in their respective states--U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns last week released a proposal to help protect sugar producers from a flood of imported sugar into our domestic markets. Historically, the House...
Reason for new BSE tests remains unknown WASHINGTON (AP)--Senior congressional Democrats on food and farm issues asked June 13 why the U.S. Department of Agriculture suddenly ordered new tests on tissue from a cow declared free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy seven months ago. --Taiwan indicated it will ban U.S. beef, again, if new tests confirm the suspected U.S. case of BSE. --Japan, formerly the largest customer of U.S. beef, indicated a positive test result would not deter officials from resuming imports of U.S. beef. Japan ...
R-CALF deeply disappointed with USDA's handling of questionable BSE test result R-CALF USA is deeply disappointed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in how the agency over these past few days has chosen to handle results from retesting tissue for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from an animal USDA claimed last November to be scientifically confirmed as negative for BSE. "U.S. cattle producers thought this issue was settled more than seven months ago because USDA told the public the BSE tests it used were the 'gold standard,'" said Leo McDonnell, R-CALF...
Producers await BSE test results NEW YORK (AP)--Cattle producers anxiously await test results on another suspected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the U.S., this time involving an animal possibly from Texas. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced June 11 that test results showed a "weak positive" for mad-cow disease on an animal cleared of infection in November. Jim Rogers, spokesman for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, June 14 discounted published reports that the cow was from ...
Possible BSE won't affect talks Washington has intensified pressure on Tokyo to end a 17-month-old ban on American beef imports, with some U.S. officials threatening sanctions unless the ban ends. "We recognize there are risks in resuming U.S. beef imports, but these risks are factored into our current negotiations," Hiroaki Ogura, an official in the agriculture ministry's food safety division, told reporters. Japan's Food Safety Commission recommended last month that the government waive BSE tests for domestic cattle ...
OIG gives vague reasons for tests WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector general's office offered scant explanation June 15 for why it suddenly ordered new tests on brain tissue from a cow declared free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy seven months ago. Auditors noticed "an unusual pattern of conflicting test results" while reviewing the government's program of testing for BSE, according to a statement released June 15 by Inspector General Phyllis Fong's office. Initial tests last November indicated ...
Minnesota, Wisconsin beef processors merge Kuehne and Thomas Rosen, CEO of Rosen Diversified Inc., will serve as co-chairmen and CEOs of the new company, which will be based in Alexandria, Minn. Kuehne and Greg Benedict, a Rosen executive who will be chief financial officer, said the merger should help create jobs, particularly once the Canadian beef ban is lifted and Asian markets reopen to U.S. cattle after bovine spongiform encephalopathy scares. American Foods, which produces fresh meat in addition to frozen and case-ready meats,...
Maul is CCA Volunteer of the Year Without such action, CCA could not accomplish everything its members have come to expect from the association," CCA Past President Lucy Meyring said. After dividing his time between the family ranch in Elbert County and working in the animal pharmaceutical industry in Colorado Springs, Maul still found the time to chair CCA's Animal Health committee. Maul also chaired the CCA Animal Identification Workgroup that created industry-setting policies that would be implemented in the ongoing ...
Latest BSE-positive cow traced to Texas beef herd U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford announced Wednesday, June 29, that DNA test results have sourced the latest BSE-positive cow to a Texas beef herd. Clifford said current traceback of the 12-year-old BSE-positive animal shows it was sent to a Texas pet food plant for processing. Since the announcement of the BSE-positive animal June 10, Clifford again emphasized the case does not affect the safety of U.S. food ...
Joplin livestock auction news Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 500 to 550 lbs., 133.00 to 138.00, fancy 140.00; 600 to 700 lbs., 116.50 to 123.00, fancy 126.25 to 127.00; 700 to 730 lbs., 113.00 to 114.75; lot 783 lbs., and fleshy 106.50. Medium and large frame 1 and 2, 300 to 400 lbs., 139.00 to 151.00; 400 to 500 lbs., 129.00 to 139.00; 500 to 600 lbs., 120.00 to 130.00, thin 130.00 to 131.00; 600 to 700 lbs., 110.50 to 116.00; 700 to 830 lbs., 100.00 to 109.75; 890 to 960 lbs., and fleshy 98.25 to 102.25. ...
Gold standard proves to be second best We should have been suspicious when the U.S. Department of Agriculture kept referring to their bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) test protocols as the gold standard of BSE testing. The more accurate IHC tests done in part two at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, are often referred to as gold standard tests. According to a news release from USDA, "If another BSE rapid screening test results in inconclusive findings, USDA will run both an IHC and Western blot...
Despite BSE test, cattle market rallies In the first day of trading following the announcement of a positive test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on a domestically raised U.S. cow, prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange experienced a short dip but then rallied to close higher. On June 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of BSE in the U.S., this time on a domestically raised cow. Taiwan, previously the sixth largest importer of U.S. beef, banned U.S. imports June 24, and lawmakers there ...
Defense gaps still seen against BSE FDA said it would ban blood, poultry litter and restaurant plate waste from cattle feed and require feed mills to use separate equipment to make cattle feed. Ground-up cattle remains left over from slaughtering operations were used as protein in cattle feed until 1997, when an outbreak of BSE cases in Britain prompted the U.S. to order the feed industry to quit doing it. That amounts to the legal feeding of some cattle protein back to cattle, said Linda Detwiler, a former U.S. Department of ...
Contagious judge disease is loose in the world A deja vu kind of thing happened in international trade May 27, when an Australian judge issued a court ruling that could ban imports of pork from the U.S. and other countries to Down Under. The pork industry group challenged a government import risk assessment that found the risk of a disease called PMWS "acceptably low" enough to permit imports from countries that have the disease, including the U.S. and Canada. It alleges that the rule opening the border to imports of beef and live ...
Cattle Associations' written briefs accepted in Montana court case The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) learned recently that its amicus curiae "friend of the court" brief has been accepted by the judge hearing the case for a permanent injunction against live Canadian cattle and beef exports in U.S. District Court, Montana Division. An amicus curiae brief submitted by Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) was also accepted. "It's very good news for Canadian cattle producers that the judge has agreed to hear our information," says Stan Eby, CCA President.
Canadian company offers first live cattle diagnostic test for BSE, available Fall 2005 Vacci-Test(TM) Corporation, Calgary, Canada, recently announced that a simple, reliable and economical diagnostic tool for the detection in "live" cattle of infectious Brain Diseases (BD), including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), will soon be available for use on farms and ranches in Canada and around the world. Designed for the measurement of immunity and the presence of infectious diseases in both humans and animals, patented Vacci-Test(TM) allows for the precise evaluation of the ...
BSE, trade issues permeate talks during Iowa Cattlemen's Association conference BSE won't be the driver of future demand shifts alone, according to Randy Blach, from Cattle-Fax, who addressed ICA summer conference attendees June 21. Our markets, Blach said, are overdue for a natural downturn driven by the cattle cycle. Around one million live cattle were imported from Canada to the U.S. prior to BSE, and the result was enhanced efficiency in U.S. packing plants. Whether the cattle cycle takes its dip and BSE continues to cause anxiety among North American beef marketers...
BSE sample confirmed positive; Johanns calls for protocol overhaul "Effective immediately, if another BSE rapid screening test results in inconclusive findings, USDA will run both an IHC and Western Blot confirmatory test," according to USDA. In turn, Johanns announced a four-pronged overhaul of U.S. BSE surveillance, ranging from how inconclusive samples are stored to how test results are documented and reported, a flaw that may have affected subsequent testing of last November's inconclusive test, the one that eventually was confirmed positive by ...
BSE modeled on computers The disease is caused when proteins in the body bend into misfolded shapes called "prions," eventually forming clumps that kill brain cells and leave spongy holes in the brain. But scientists believe the human body usually rejects misfolded proteins without harm; it's when a microscopic "seed" of flawed proteins is consumed from another animal that the disease can take hold in a person or animal who otherwise would never develop the disease. Higgins hopes researchers can develop a test for ...
Austrians announce second BSE case The dead cow had been exported to Germany, where the diagnosis was made during a routine test, Rauch-Kallat told reporters, the Austria Press Agency reported. The farm, located in a the remote mountain village of Kleinwalsertal, had only six cattle. More than 200,000 animals are tested for the disease each year in Austria.
Austrian cows test negative for BSE Tissue tests eased fears that the brain-wasting disease might have spread to other cows at the tiny alpine farm, Health Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat said. The others at the farm in the remote mountain village of Kleinwalsertal were slaughtered and tested for the disease. More than 200,000 animals are tested for the disease each year in Austria.
After BSE-positive confirmation, USDA protocol employs Western blot, IHC tests Instead of relying on IHC tests alone, further confirmatory testing will comprise both IHC and Western blot tests. According to Johanns, even though IHC tests with different antibodies used are all OIE-approved, this may have caused Weybridge's positive results to differ from USDA's initial BSE-negative IHC test. Even though the immunohistochemistry and Western blot tests are both effective for diagnosis of BSE, scientists and USDA officials agree a prudent approach to future BSE confirmatory...
Just a Scoop Full (June 29)--Most of the talk in the cattle business is about the BSE problem where the one animal tested positive after receiving a negative test. Feeder cattle never showed any signs of nervousness from feeder buyers through this ordeal as far as in the auction. I think most cattle feeders realize that numbers for feeder cattle will be very limited for a while.
How do IHC, Western blot tests compare? How do IHC, Western blot tests compare? After confirmation that a BSE test sample was confirmed positive at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge, England, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced June 24 USDA's BSE testing protocol now includes both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot tests. -Western blot can detect both transmissible and non-transmissible abnormal proteins.
U.S. court considers Canada's cattle Justice Department attorney Mark Stern told a receptive three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the government's decision lifting the ban would not result in the "infestation in American livestock." Stern was asking the judges to overturn a March ruling of a Montana federal judge who sided with U.S. ranchers who fear dire economic and health consequences from a BSE outbreak in the United States. The three judges suggested Judge Cebull, perhaps, should have given ...
Trade fight fuels R-CALF influence BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Two years ago, R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America was a tiny cattlemen's group, written off in some quarters as fringe and radical, focused on what many in the industry considered a nonissue--Canadian beef imports. But three cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada have propelled the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund from bit player to ringleader in an ongoing trade dispute that some see as the biggest and most divisive issue to confront the cattle ...
Sonora Angora goat performance test field day and sale set July 28 The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's annual Angora goat performance test field day and sale is set for July 28 at the Sonora Experiment Station. Dr. Dan Waldron, Experiment Station research geneticist at San Angelo and the test's coordinator, said the Angora goat breeders have brought an excellent set of bucks for this year's performance test. The sale of performance tested animals will conclude the day's activities.
Ruling to open border for beef SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP)--Federal officials will move to quickly to open the border to Canadian cattle after a federal appeals court overturned a ban on the animals, despite a lower court's concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said late July 14 that within days it will reopen the border to Canadian cattle, which were banned in May 2003 after a cow in Alberta was found to have BSE. During the hearing, the three justices suggested that U.S. ...
Quarantine on site of BSE case lifted LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Texas officials lifted a quarantine July 11 on the ranch that produced the first native case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, saying tests on 67 animals from the herd came back negative for the brain-wasting disease. Federal officials now plan to focus on checking market documents to trace animals of the same age that may have left the ranch, said Larry Cooper, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Initial ...
Panama bans imports of U.S. meat after second BSE case The Agriculture Ministry said it notified U.S. officials of the ban July 5, and it took effect immediately. In late June, U.S. officials announced the nation's first homegrown case of BSE, tracing it to a 12-year-old Texas-born cow. Panama banned U.S. beef after the first case of BSE was detected in the United States, but lifted the ban in October, allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old.
Officials lift hold on ranch that had infected cow LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--After negative tests on 67 of its animals, the ranch that produced the first native case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy had a quarantine lifted July 11 by Texas animal health officials. The negative results for the brain-wasting disease came back on animals tested from the herd because of their age proximity to the 12-year-old diseased cow. No recent offspring of the Brahma cross beef cow were destroyed for testing, said Larry Cooper, spokesman for the U.S. ...
Nebraska Cattlemen submits animal ID comments Based on policy developed by membership, on July 6 Nebraska Cattlemen submitted comments to U. S. Department of Agriculture on the agency's proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Current NC policy also supports the NAIS not prohibiting producers from using the system as a foundation for additional data management. The NAIS must recognize data management systems that add value to cattle and allow producers to easily integrate their established management systems.
Moran calls for immediate sanctions on Japan over beef dispute Congressman Jerry Moran, on June 23, renewed his call to impose sanctions on Japan for continued stall tactics in reopening its borders to U.S. beef imports. "The fact that Japan still has not reopened its borders demonstrates an obvious lack of respect for the U.S. and the good-faith agreement we reached last fall to resume trading," Moran said. Japan banned U.S. beef as a result, but later agreed to resume imports once proper safety procedures were implemented.
Grain growers, stockgrowers see benefits of trade with Thailand Reduced tariffs on agricultural products and increased access to new markets are two of the major benefits of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Thailand, according to the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA). "Past exports of U.S. beef to Thailand have not been that significant due to the 51 percent tariff that country applies to our beef products," stated Steve Pilcher, executive vice president for the MSGA. While Montana ...
Canada cows cross U.S. border WASHINGTON (AP)--The first new shipment of Canadian cattle rolled into the United States July 18, four days after a federal appeals court ended a two-year-old ban originally instituted because of BSE or bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In Washington state, a common destination for Canadian cattle, another Canadian shipper has submitted a request to cross the border. The United States banned Canadian cattle in May 2003 after Canada's first case of BSE.
USDA: BSE herd tests negative Testing was conducted on two groups removed from the herd at an undisclosed ranch in Texas; 29 cows were tested July 6, 38 July 8. Results released July 10 on the second group were negative, the same finding the department had announced July 9 for the initial test group. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, conducted the tests. One test indicated the presence of BSE, but results from a subsequent test were negative.
Tyson Foods slides on BSE news CHICAGO (AP)--The beef futures market reacted calmly June 27 to the second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States, but some investor concern surfaced with a 3 percent decline in the shares of Tyson Foods Inc., the largest U.S. beef packer. Among other fast-food chains and restaurant stocks, Jack in the Box Inc., closed down 1.7 percent, while Bob Evans Farms Inc., and drive-in burger chain Sonic Corp., declined about 1 percent each after posting gains June 24. Wendy's ...
Some ranchers shy on first day of cattle auction since BSE case Some published reports leading up to the June 24 announcement indicated the animal was from Texas, the nation's leading cattle producing state. Tim Wilhelm, who owns about 5,000 head and ranches near Tulia, said he planned to bring 1,300 head of cattle June 27. But concern about possible plummeting prices dropped that number to 575 animals. When the cattle markets opened the morning of June 27, they trended down, found their bottom and finished higher than closing prices on June 24, said Burt...
Senator Roberts calls for continued beef trade with Egypt and Taiwan WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Pat Roberts is leading an effort to encourage Taiwan and Egypt to continue purchasing American beef. In letters to Taiwan's Minister of Health, Sheng-Mou Hou, and Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Senator Roberts and 15 other Senators said, "We must work to the best of our ability to continue to pursue trade policies that foster growth and economic prosperity. "Our ability to identify suspect animals and remove them from the food supply clearly demonstrates that our ...
Nearly all U.S. herd born after feed ban, trade groups say LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Industry groups estimated Friday that nearly all of the cows in the U.S. herd were born after federal officials banned the use of animal parts in cattle feed in 1997 to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Agriculture officials nationally and in Texas do not gather data on animal age, but the National Cattlemen's Beef Association estimated 97 percent of the 96 million head of cattle in the country have never eaten food tainted with ruminant parts. The ranch ...
Jamaica will import U.S. beef despite confirmed BSE case KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP)--Jamaica will continue importing beef from the United States, despite the confirmation there of a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), an official said. That case prompted some 50 nations to ban U.S. beef imports. Japan was the United States' largest overseas market for beef before 2003, when Tokyo banned all U.S. beef imports.
Domestic beef demand should keep cattle prices from falling after BSE test result As long as domestic beef demand remains steady, the recent positive BSE test result should not hurt cattle markets significantly, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln livestock marketing specialist said. However, this should have little affect on cattle markets, said Darrell Mark, UNL livestock marketing specialist in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Although Taiwan closed its markets to U.S. beef exports after the announcement, this will have little affect on cattle prices ...
DNA used in hunt for BSE herd Genetic testing is needed because of mistakes in how the beef cow was labeled and how its tissues were stored, John Clifford told The Associated Press in an interview. When he announced the BSE test results June 24, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns pointed out that U.S. cattle "move all across the country." U.S. officials had declared the cow to be free of the disease in November, but the department's inspector general ordered a new round of tests that came back positive and led to the ...
Court to consider border plea SAN FRANCISCO (AP)--Whether it's protecting profits or consumer health, the U.S. meat industry has a lot riding on the government's effort to reopen the border to Canadian cattle. The dispute between ranchers--whose profits have improved slightly without Canadian competition--and feedlots and packers--which have fewer cows to slaughter without Canadian supplies--became more complicated recently, when the government revealed that a 12-year-old cow born in Texas tested positive for BSE. But ...
Cattlemen unveil USA RAISED 'Not Just Any Beef' logo WASHINGTON--Cattlemen representing stakeholder organizations in the Cattlemen's Competitive Market Project (CCMP) unveiled the "Not Just Any Beef... "We're here today to introduce this new promotional initiative for USA raised beef and reinforce American cattlemen's partnership with consumers. This program is designed to increase consumer awareness and to encourage consumers to ask for USA raised beef at their retail stores," said John Lockie, Montana Cattlemen's Association executive ...
Cattle ID tags to work like electronic Social Security cards It's not Social Security for cattle, but the proposed electronic ear tag to be used as part of the National Animal Identification System would act much like a Social Security card. Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas Cooperative Extension beef cattle specialist, told producers at the Stiles Farm Field Day a lifetime number assigned to the tag will help trace an animal's path throughout the supply chain. This unique number will help trace an animal back to its origin, and will allow producers in the ...
Beef markets should not feel brunt of Texas cow linked to BSE "I don't think it's going to make that much difference because this is a national market," said Dr. David Anderson, Texas Cooperative Extension livestock marketing economist. "The futures market already had built that trading in after the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) first announced they were doing the retesting." Trading activity on June 30 saw live cattle contracts for June finish at $82.77 per hundredweight, up 40 cents per hundredweight (cwt).
Ban on downer cows will remain With confirmation of a second case of the brain-wasting disease, consumer groups are asking for a permanent ban to keep "downer" cattle--those unable to walk--from entering the food supply. They forbid the processing of downer cows and require the removal of brain, spinal column and other nerve tissue from cattle older than 30 months at slaughter. The Texas beef cow was thought to be a downer cow, but the USDA said June 30 it actually was dead when it arrived at a pet food plant in Waco, ...
All cows culled from herd of animal with BSE test negative Testing was conducted on two groups removed from the herd at an undisclosed ranch in Texas; 29 cows were tested July 6, 38 on July 8. Results released July 10 on the second group were negative, the same finding the department had announced July 9 for the initial test group. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, conducted the tests. One test indicated the presence of BSE, but results from a subsequent test were negative.
29 cows from Texas herd killed for BSE tests The samples will undergo screening referred to as a "rapid test," and if results indicate the presence of BSE, two additional tests will be done. Rapid tests indicated the presence of BSE in the animal, but results from a different test were negative, and the department announced the animal was free of the brain-wasting disease. Also under investigation is the feed history of the Texas herd, because the only way BSE disease is known to spread among cattle is through the feeding of infected ...
Tender, tasty grain-fed U.S.. beef a popular restaurant order in Guatemala With more money to spend coupled with positive consumer perception toward U.S. beef, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) says there's a lot to like about Guatemala. Grain-fed beef has a higher degree of marbling that creates juiciness and tenderness normally found in U.S. beef, but absent from grass-fed beef. "U.S. beef will always cost more than regional beef due to higher production costs, but the result is U.S. beef's competitive advantage: Superior quality, taste and tenderness," ...
Taiwan reinstates U.S. beef ban TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)--Taiwan June 25 re-imposed a ban on imports of U.S. beef after tests confirmed that an American animal was infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, an official said. In the year before the February 2004 ban, Taiwan imported more than US$76 million (63 million) in U.S. beef and beef products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Japan imported more than US$1.5 billion ( 1.25 billion) in U.S. beef in 2003, according to the department.
Taiwan beef actions mixed TAIPEI (AP)--Despite facing accusations of engaging in "beef diplomacy," Taiwanese health officials refused June 27 to order the removal of U.S. beef already on store shelves after a second American animal was found infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Chen Lu-hung, of the Health Department's Food Control Section, insisted beef cuts imported from the U.S. were safe. The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto U.S. embassy on the island in the absence of diplomatic ties, assured...
R-CALF USA membership more than doubles In all of 2004, calf sales brought in approximately $475,000 for R-CALF USA. R-CALF USA's membership--from 47 states--consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. "When a benefit calf auction for R-CALF can raise over $56,000 in one day, as it did at Treasure Valley Livestock Auction, there is no question that cattle producers support R-CALF."
Officials to survey Texas herd for BSE LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Animals in the Texas herd that produced the first homegrown case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) will be surveyed in coming weeks to identify cattle born around the same time and the infected bovine's recent offspring. Officials also are trying to identify herd mates born within one year of the infected cow's birth, as well as any offspring born within the past two years and other related cattle. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration will trace the feed ...
Nobel Prize winner backs R-CALF in 'minimal risk' suit In support of its brief, R-CALF USA also submitted declarations prepared by four renowned scientists, including a declaration prepared by Stanley B. Prusiner, M.D.--winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize for medicine--and the world's preeminent expert in the field of neurodegenerative diseases caused by prions, the infectious protein that causes BSE. In 1997, Prusiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his discovery of the infectious protein agents (which he named "prions") ...
News not all bad for Texas rancher with infected cow About six weeks after federal officials in December 2003 announced a cow in Washington had BSE, the investigation was completed. Neither the Washington cow nor the Texas cow entered the food supply. The infected Texas cow was sold through a livestock market last November and taken to a slaughterhouse where it was dead on arrival, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday, July 1. The cow wasn't unloaded or presented to the slaughterhouse because it was dead, the department said.
Iowa Cattlemen's Association revamps committee structure The Nutrition, Health and Information; Beef Safety; and Global Consumer Marketing committees are now the Beef Product committee. The Cattle Health and Well-being; Live Cattle Marketing; and Science and Technology committees now comprise the Cattle Production committee. Finally, the former Ag Policy; Tax and Finance; and Public Lands, Private Lands and Environmental Management committees are now the Business Issues committee.
Government releases details of infected cow's last days The department is trying to find offspring born in the past two years and herd mates born within one year of the infected cow's birth, but officials said they don't expect to find another case. The department said that given the Texas cow's age, it probably was infected before the ban. The cow was born and raised on a single Texas ranch; officials have not identified the ranch or the owner.
Feds add up job losses from border closure GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP)--The number of people working in the meatpacking industry has dropped nearly 10,000 since the U.S. border closed to Canadian cattle more than two years ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shut the border to live Canadian cattle in May 2003 after Canada reported a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Some cattle producers are worried that lifting the ban could jeopardize efforts to persuade countries to buy U.S. beef products if they believe Canadian cattle ...
BSE won't affect beef import talks TOKYO (AP)--Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said June 30 that the United States' recent discovery of a U.S.-born cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy will not affect Japan's ongoing process toward resuming U.S. beef imports, a Japanese news agency reported. Japanese top officials have said the second U.S. BSE case is unlikely to affect deliberations on reopening Japan's market to U.S. beef, while experts, including Japan's food safety regulators, expressed concerns ...
BSE case sparks debate over ID system WASHINGTON (AP)--The latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy has brought new talk of a national livestock tracking system, something the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee says the beef industry can create more quickly than the government. The government's goal is to make a system mandatory by January 2009, but Goodlatte said the industry can create a tracking system more swiftly. The dominant cattle ranchers' group, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, is creating its ...
Both major BSE tests to be used Consumer groups and scientists urged the department to perform a Western blot test and seek confirmation from the lab in Weybridge, England. Troubled by the conflicting test results, the department's inspector general, Phyllis Fong, ordered the Western blot test this month. The department's testing program, put in place after the first U.S. case of BSE in 2003, calls for IHC tests when rapid screening indicates BSE is present.
Austrians announce second BSE case The dead cow had been exported to Germany, where the diagnosis was made during a routine test, Rauch-Kallat told reporters, the Austria Press Agency reported. The farm, located in a the remote mountain village of Kleinwalsertal, had only six cattle. More than 200,000 animals are tested for the disease each year in Austria.

June 2005
U.S. pressures Japan on beef TOKYO (AP)--The U.S. stepped up pressure on Japan May 25 to end its 17-month-old ban on American beef imports, officials said. Japan was the U.S.'s most lucrative overseas beef market before the ban started in December 2003, days after the U.S. discovered its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Washington has been pushing Tokyo to resume imports, with some U.S. officials threatening sanctions unless the ban ends.
South Korean consumers find U.S. chilled pork a welcome alternative And, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has found just the alternative: high-quality, affordable U.S. chilled pork. USMEF retail and restaurant promotions are spreading the news to Korean consumers that U.S. pork's taste and texture are comparable to domestic pork while costing 20 percent to 25 percent less. USMEF will be there with U.S. pork samples, recipes and giveaways to encourage consumers to try U.S. pork. USMEF reports consumers who taste U.S. pork buy it because of its superior ...
R-CALF files motion for summary judgment in border case Recently, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, R-CALF USA filed a motion for summary judgment in its lawsuit against the USDA, in which R-CALF USA asked the court to overturn USDA's Final Rule on reopening the Canadian border to live cattle and additional beef products. R-CALF USA argued that USDA had a special obligation in this case to publicly explain why the agency chose to abandon its prior decision to ban imports from BSE-affected countries, and USDA did not ...
Johanns hopes discussion next month will help reopen Canadian border HYRUM, Utah (AP) _ U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns plans to host a discussion next month with beef industry officials that he hopes will speed up the reopening of the Canadian border to import cattle. Johanns toured a beef processing plant south of Logan on May 17 and met with local producers who are struggling with the smaller cattle population since the border was closed because of a bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare. Although some cattle ranchers want to keep Canadian ...
Closed border may mean less money for Nebraska cattle producers in the long run It is not likely that the U.S. can close borders to imports of cattle and beef and still expect to be able to export beef and beef byproducts." "With live cattle imports from Canada banned, imports of boxed beef have increased," he said. Economics aside, lifting the ban on live Canadian beef imports would not increase the risk for introducing BSE to U.S. cattle, said David Smith, UNL dairy/beef veterinarian.
Canadian cattle industry warns beef ban may boomerang on U.S. But even if the ban remains, Masswohl said he expects the Canadian cattle business to strengthen and the fallout to grow for U.S. meat packers that used to depend on Canadian cattle. Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association said he believes the motive is to keep U.S. cattle prices high by declaring that Canadian cattle pose a risk. A closed border will do nothing but cost the United States business and possibly drive up costs for consumers and depress U.S. cattle prices if the ...
Trade: Can we live without it? Since NAFTA's implementation in 1994, U.S. exports to Mexico, Canadian exports to the United States, and U.S. exports to Canada have all more than doubled. The increased trade helps not only U.S. pork producers, but the farmers who produce feed grains for the U.S. industry. (See chart above). Whenever the BSE issues are settled and trade resumes, U.S. livestock products are expected to continue to grow market share around the globe.
Tissue being hand-carried to England for BSE tests WASHINGTON (AP)--A U.S. Department Agriculture official left June 16 for England carrying brain tissue samples from a cow suspected of having bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The cow was declared free of the infection seven months ago, but the department did further tests in mid-June that came back positive. The department has 12 grams of tissue from obex, which is part of the brain stem, and 30 grams from cerebellum, which lies just above the brain stem.
Third time's a charm, but not with BSE Since the now infamous dairy cow in Washington tested positive for BSE, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented a great deal of increased oversight and safety measures to ensure that we test, monitor and eliminate the possibility that a BSE-infected cow enters the food chain. Like the standard IHC test, the Western Blot is internationally recognized and considered an effective tool to determine the occurrence of BSE in cattle. USDA typically uses the IHC test does not readily ...
Plant closure partly blamed on ban of Canada cattle GERING, Neb. (AP)--A company closing its slaughterhouse/packing plant in Gering says the U.S. ban on Canadian cattle choked the cattle supply so much that the plant was impossible to keep open profitably. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shut the border to live Canadian cattle in May 2003 after Canada reported a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Some cattle producers are worried that lifting the ban could jeopardize efforts to persuade countries to buy U.S. beef products if they ...
NCBA praises U.S., Russia trade agreement The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased with the new agreement between the United States and Russia establishing specific terms of access for U.S. beef, poultry and pork in the Russian market. However, the new agreement clarifies the economic terms that will define re-entry of U.S. beef into the Russian market once concerns about BSE have been addressed. "Unfortunately, with the Russian market closed to U.S. beef, the impact of this new agreement will not be immediate," ...
Handling of BSE situation puts cattlemen in a losing situation That comment was, "relative to the high price of beef and the fact that if we didn't get the Canadian border open soon it was going to destroy the demand for our product in America." My immediate response and thought was "here we have an administration official trying to make a case and put in place the Bush administration's desire and commitment to the Canadians to get the border open." Yes science can, and will prevail in time but for our officials to keep testing with 20 times the volume ...
Fueled by USMEF activities, U.S. pork exports continue to shine Over 361,000 mt of U.S. pork and pork variety meat valued at $567 million was exported to Mexico. According to Seng, regions that reopened to U.S. beef in 2004 experienced a 44 percent increase in U.S. pork exports. Regions closed to U.S. beef in 2004 experienced a 27 percent increase in U.S. pork exports.
Fiscal issues take center stage with lawmakers at 2005 World Pork Expo The top-of-mind issue for the room in the Varied Industries Building on the fairgrounds, filled to its capacity with Iowa Pork Producers Association and National Pork Producers Council members and leaders, was CAFTA. In 2004 alone, Nussle said Iowa ag exports to CAFTA nations totaled more than $30 million. With recognition of his support for a "level playing field" in global ag trade via CAFTA, Latham took up a fiscal matter that affects Iowa ag producers on more direct levels.
Colorado governor assails U.S. 'hypocrisy' in BSE policy BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado (AP)--Colorado Gov. Bill Owens said it is "hypocrisy" for the United States to pressure Japan to lift a ban on U.S. beef over concerns of bovine spongiform encephalopathy while banning Canadian beef for the same reason. "It's this sort of hypocrisy that makes it very difficult for the U.S. to win any sort of trade war," Owens said June 13 at the Western Governors' Association meeting. The premiers of two Canadian provinces told the governors the U.S. ban had gone on ...
Canadian cattle producer groups granted atatus in appeal of continued border closure The Canadian Cattlemen's Association learned June 7 that its request for amicus curiae "friend of the court" status in the U.S. Department of Agriculture appeal of the preliminary injunction keeping the U.S. border closed to live Canadian cattle has been granted. Amicus curiae status was granted June 7 by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco. On June 6 CCA and ABP filed an appeal of the U.S. District Court judge's denial of its request for intervenor status in the ...
BSE testing: When does it end? The USDA kept testing animals with the Rapid test and three positives were retested using the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) test that the department called the "gold standard." The Western Blot test that the USDA performed on the tissue appears to be a means of concentrating the bad proteins so that it can determine a "weak positive" on a sample that may have tested negative with the IHC method. Here's where we are right now: The single BSE sample has been tested three times and shown as a ...
World Organization for Animal Health supports Canadian beef trade The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted a number of changes to its code on BSE that support reopening or maintaining trade in beef from countries such as Canada that have had cases of BSE but have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe food product. The OIE has stated that boneless beef from cattle under 30 months and some other products can be freely traded without risk to consumers regardless of a country's BSE status provided animals are inspected before ...
USDA secretary supports restoring full cattle trade with Canada Johanns told the audience at the University of Minnesota that the U.S. Department of Agricutlure's increased screening program had tested 375,000 high-risk American cattle in the past year and found no cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. "We believe very strongly that the North American beef supply is safe," Johanns said. The USDA had plans to reopen the Canadian border to cattle shipments in March, but they were stymied when a federal judge in Montana ruled the border must remain ...
USDA secretary: Beef prices rising too high If beef supplies don't increase and drive down prices, "American consumers will start choosing other sources of protein," he said. The average retail price for choice beef was $4.25 a pound, the latest figure available from the U.S. Department Agriculture's Economic Research Service. Johanns used the forum to defend his department's efforts to open the Canadian border to full cattle trade.
U.S. checking possible new case of BSE The suspected case, in a beef cow, had tested negative for BSE. "It's going to require additional testing before we can confirm one way or another whether this is BSE (BSE)," said Dr. John Clifford, chief veterinary officer of the department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In addition, the department has been trying to lift a U.S. ban on Canadian cattle that was imposed after Canada's first BSE case in May 2003.
R-CALF: OIE rule change could undermine health, safety import standards However, the risk categories and standards OIE has advocated are not binding on any country's policy-making, as demonstrated by the fact that all BSE-affected countries--with the exception of Canada--have implemented tougher standards and more protective standards. Because OIE standards are not enforceable, some countries--like the United States and Canada--have argued that OIE rules are not actually standards, but in fact guidelines, designed to allow flexibility for countries like Canada, ...
NCBA president criticizes USDA's handling of BSE testing The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) expects a full explanation of the circumstances that caused the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to recommend additional testing of previously identified BSE negative animals. While NCBA has supported the surveillance program and its intent, these most recent actions by USDA and the OIG do not increase the safety of U.S. beef, nor do they improve the health of the U.S. cowherd, but instead put the industry at greater economic risk. NCBA calls...
Japan confirms 20th BSE case Experts concluded that the 4-year, 9-month-old cow from Shikaoi town in northern Hokkaido prefecture was infected with the brain-wasting illness after analyzing samples taken earlier this month, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. In February, Japan confirmed its first case of vCJD in a man who died in December 2004. Japanese health authorities said they believed the man contracted the disease during a month-long visit to Britain--where BSE first surfaced--in 1989.
Going 'round and 'round Going into Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns' BSE Roundtable last week, more than a year and a half after the disease was found on U.S. soil, it seemed little more than a trade blockade. A single day after the BSE Roundtable, which Johanns hailed as a resounding success, he and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services deputy administrator John Clifford waited until 8 p.m., on a Friday evening, to announce a positive BSE test result which has since been traced to...
CSU pilots national animal tracking system using leading-edge technology Colorado State University is piloting an ambitious, national animal identification system that will rely on leading-edge, grid-computing technology to process massive amounts of animal tracking data. The project, the first to use Colorado State's new Colorado Grid Computing Initiative, or COGrid, is funded through more than $2 million in grants from the Colorado Institute of Technology and additional funding and equipment from Sun Microsystems, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the ...
BSE-positive test result discovered Thirty-six hours after convening for his BSE Roundtable discussion in Minneapolis, Minn., Johanns was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services deputy administrator John Clifford, DVM, to announce the positive test result. It is these different means for acquiring conclusive results that makes it yet difficult to confirm whether the positive test result is, in fact, a positive case of BSE, according to Clifford. Why did the ...
Beef industry representatives discuss science, economics at BSE Roundtable Since December 2003, the U.S. and Canadian beef industries have changed dramatically, after a single U.S. cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Ominously, Collins asserted an inevitability when addressing the economy of beef in a North America where live cattle trade is barred between Canada and the U.S. Changes may be irreversible, and the result could be a Canadian beef market that becomes a rival for U.S. beef exports. "Reopening the Asian markets to U.S. beef would ...
3 possible BSE cases in Wales LONDON (AP)--U.K. scientists said May 30 they were investigating three cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy found in young cows in Wales. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said experts were trying to discover if the three cows, from the same farm, were all infected in the same way, believed to be through feed imported from overseas. BSE eats holes in the brains of cattle, and can kill people through the human variant Crutzfeld-Jakob Disease.
Just a Scoop Full Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture enhanced surveillance program for BSE began in June 2004, more than 375,000 animals from the targeted cattle population have been tested for BSE using a rapid test. Three of these animals tested inconclusive and were subjected to IHC testing--which is an internationally recognized test for BSE. Earlier last week, USDA's office of Inspector General recommended all three samples be retested for the OIE test--another internationally recognized test.
What's on Johann's plate They say you are what you eat--and for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, it's a full serving of hard work. This week, Secretary Johanns took a seat at C-SPAN's Washington Journal roundtable to accept questions for callers from around the country. Ongoing negotiations within the WTO resulting in demand for decreases in our farm program payments and criticisms of our food aid efforts are enough to give any farm bill veteran heartburn.
USDA Secretary "will not rest until Japan reopens its borders to American beef" In a keynote address to USMEF directors in Washington, D.C., Johanns called for a level playing field based on scientific standards for the U.S. meat industry and its trading partners. USMEF was instrumental, according to Johanns, in supplying information and working with government officials to help reopen the Taiwan market to U.S. beef a month ago. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is...
Retail beef at near record highs DENVER (AP)--With grilling season in full swing, retail beef prices are near record highs, thanks to tight supplies, more demand and rising fuel costs. Retail prices for choice beef averaged $4.25 a pound in April, the latest period available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. April's price was second only to November 2003, when beef prices rose to $4.32 a pound after Canadian imports were cut off due to a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
R-CALF USA Court case attacked by state cattle groups The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have filed an amicus brief (friend of the court brief) in the 9th Circuit, which fully supports the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Final Rule that calls for the immediate reopening of the Canadian border to live cattle and additional beef products. The NCBA/AFBF amicus brief asks the appellate court to overturn the Preliminary Injunction, and then immediately reopen the ...
NIH finds new clue in BSE, vCJD When enough abnormal prions accumulate, they deposit plaque on the brain and eventually leave clumps of dead brain cells. Chesebro and colleagues genetically engineered mice that lacked the fatty anchor that usually binds prions to the surface of cells. Then the scientists injected the transgenic mice and regular mice with scrapie-causing prions.
Japan may have 19th BSE case Preliminary tests on the animal at a slaughterhouse in Hokkaido prefecture, or state, were positive, and authorities sent samples to two laboratories in the prefecture for more precise tests, a Hokkaido prefectural official said on condition of anonymity. In February, Japan confirmed its first human case of BSE following the death of a man with symptoms of the illness. Japan banned U.S. beef imports after the first case of BSE was confirmed in Washington state last December.
Japan BSE ban study continues TOKYO (AP)--Japan took another step toward easing a 17-month-old ban on U.S. beef imports May 24 when the government asked food regulators to study the feasibility of partially lifting the prohibition. The Agriculture and Health ministries told the Food Safety Commission to start examining whether it is safe to reopen Japan's market to American beef for the first time since the December 2003 discovery of the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, said Agriculture Ministry ...
Consumer groups blast safety of U.S. beef supply as part of amicus brief Co-signers to the amicus brief include consumer activist groups Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Public Citizen, who, during the group's telephone media conference, repeatedly discredited the U.S. systems that protect the U.S. beef supply and public health. During the call, neither CFA nor Public Citizen discussed the Canadian food safety system or its BSE mitigation measures. -- In June, 2004, Public Citizen called the U.S. BSE Surveillance Program "nonsense" and said that it, "...
Just a scoop full A lot of the northern buyers are in this area taking feeder cattle back to the northern states. Cattle prices are good all the way from cows, calves, and feeders with fat cattle presently being the weakest link. Cattle feeders have a lot of optimism with 700 to 750 pound steers bringing $120 per hundredweight and steers weighing 900 to 950 pounds bringing up to $106 per hundredweight.

May 2005
Topics for Nebraska Cattlemen midyear conference announced Nebraska Cattlemen's Midyear Conference in North Platte will begin June 2 with golf and a chuckwagon supper. Marketing: Status of Beef Checkoff; Status of Cattle and Beef Trade with Canada; Re-establishing U.S. Beef Export Trade. The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the spokesman for the state's beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 48 county and local cattlemen's associations.
Supreme Court upholds Beef Checkoff Program's constitutionality by 6-3 vote In dissenting the Supreme Court's decision, Justice David Souter, who was joined in his opinion by Justices John Paul Stevens and Anthony Kennedy, called the denotation of the beef checkoff program as "government speech" an act undertaken "unwisely." The leader of the governmental arm whose job it is to oversee the execution of beef checkoff funds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, pointed to the checkoff's importance to producers in applauding the Supreme Court's decision. "I am ...
Japan committee OKs plan to lift ban TOKYO (AP)--Lawmakers from Japan's ruling party endorsed a plan May 12 for food regulators to consider lifting the country's costly ban on American beef imports, an official said. The Food Safety Commission in early May recommended that the government waive bovine spongiform encephalopathy tests for domestic cattle younger than 21 months, a move that would open the door to imports of beef from younger American cattle. Japan barred American beef imports in December 2003 after the discovery of ...
USMEF 0celebrates return of U.S. beef to Taiwan, reveals market plans A wave of excitement from consumers seeking U.S. beef has swept through Taiwan since the country reopened to U.S. beef on April 16, ending a 16-month drought. Boneless beef, now eligible for export, accounted for $56.8 million or 74 percent of total U.S. beef exports to Taiwan. U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to Taiwan totaled 19,184 metric tons (mt) (chilled and frozen) in 2003 with boneless beef accounting for 66 percent of the total.
Northwest U.S. has higher risk of BSE exposure, report says The investigators, after tracing the history of the four cows with the disease in North America, said the U.S. has minimized the risk by banning cattle remains in feed, the primary way BSE is believed to spread. Three infected Canadian cows, including one from Alberta that turned up in the United States, probably ate feed contaminated with the same infected remains, and a fourth may have as well, investigators said. All four cows appear to have been infected by feed contaminated with infected...
Mile marker one in the appropriations cycle Earlier this week, the House Agriculture Appropriations signed off on the 2006 spending measure for agriculture, conservation, food and nutrition programs. Freezing discretionary spending at the same level as last year, at $16.8 billion and roughly $83 billion in mandatory program spending, it would be fair to call it a pretty lean spending plan. It is clear that food safety and security are high on the list of appropriators to do lists--with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food ...
Japan confirms 18th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--The government May 12 confirmed Japan's 18th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy since it began testing all cattle bound for the slaughterhouse. Experts have confirmed that a female Holstein from northern Hokkaido prefecture was infected with the fatal brain-wasting disease, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. The infected cow has been slaughtered and will be incinerated, and there is no danger that diseased meat will be circulated, it said.
ICA joins in USDA appeal to reopen live cattle trade with Canada The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) has teamed with other state cattlemen's organizations and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's appeal of the temporary injunction against importing from Canada live feeder cattle under 30 months of age. In late March, the ICA Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the NCBA in filing an Amicus Curiae, or 'friend of the court,' brief to support the USDA appeal of a temporary injunction against ...
BSE: Just the facts The debate on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is seemingly endless, particularly with the number of parties involved in litigation and political positioning regarding BSE and international trade. At its annual meeting in April, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture brought together two of the world's experts on BSE, Dr. Will Hueston of the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada with the ...
U.S. urges Japan to end beef ban Chuck Lambert, U.S. deputy undersecretary of agriculture, said in an interview with the Associated Press in Tokyo that the technical conditions for a resumption of beef imports to Japan have been met, and Washington is urging Tokyo to move faster. Tokyo had pressed the U.S. to test all cows for the disease, as Tokyo does. The U.S. has also banned imports of Japanese beef, and Lambert said that Washington, like Tokyo, hadn't yet set a date for resumption of those imports.
U.S, Canada team up for BSE surveillance Speaking at the annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture April 3 to 7 in St. Paul, Minn., Hueston said that all of this testing takes money away from animal health promotion and disease prevention. "We are testing as many animals in this high risk population as we possible can in a 12- to 18-month period," said Dr. Ron DeHaven, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculure's Animals and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS). As of April 1, 305,256 animals have been ...
Stockgrowers, governor agree: Keep border closed The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association appreciates Governor Rounds' recent letter to key U.S. House leaders urging their support for legislation to keep the Canadian border closed to live cattle. South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, says the Governor has expressed his opposition to re-opening the border on several occasions. "Our Congressional Delegation, state legislators, Governor, Attorney General and local governments have teamed up to ensure that ...
South Korea, U.S. fail to end beef ban "We had a very productive, a very thorough and focused discussion," Charles Lambert, deputy under secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told reporters April 22. Lambert led the 15-member U.S. delegation to Seoul, meeting with an 11-member South Korean team led by Park Hyun-chool, director general of the Livestock Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. "We are confident that we have taken the necessary measures to assure the safety and wholesomeness of U.S. beef to ...
R-CALF USA to make second appearance on RFD-TV R-CALF USA will make its second appearance on RFD-TV during a one-hour simulcast at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 2, at the RFD-TV studios in Nashville. RFD-TV is a network serving the interests of rural viewers, and its programs offer viewers the opportunity to listen to in-depth discussions on hot issues with leaders from various organizations in the agriculture industry. Speaking on behalf of the organization will be R-CALF USA President and Founder Leo McDonnell; Chuck Kiker, R-CALF USA ...
Nelson won't support Japan sanctions His Nebraska Senate colleague, Republican Chuck Hagel, met in early April with the new U.S. ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas Schieffer, asking him to press the Japanese. Hagel was among several members of Congress who met with Japan's U.S. ambassador in March. Japan was importing an estimated $1.7 billion worth of U.S. beef products before it imposed the ban in December 2003, after the BSE-tainted animal turned up in Washington state, imported from Canada.
National Beef reports loss because of cattle prices KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)--National Beef Packing Co. LLC, the nation's fourth-largest beef processor, reported its second straight losing quarter, blaming the continued ban on Canadian cattle. Sales increased 10 percent to $1.03 billion thanks to a 5.5 percent increase in cattle slaughtered and a 3.1 percent increase in beef prices. But National Beef CEO John Miller said that couldn't offset continued high prices for live cattle.
ICON board urges cattle producers to get involved The message is loud and clear: Independent cattle producers must get involved in industry issues if the industry is to survive. Board members Chris Abbott of Gordon, Bob Rothwell of Hyannis, David Wright of Neligh, as well as Abbott's son, Carver, shared current information on issues which have been the focus of ICON since its inception in February of this year. Nearly 600 Nebraska cattle producers have joined ICON since its inception in February of this year.
Canadian cattle associations file brief in appeal of border closure The Canadian Cattlemen's Association(CCA) (together with its affiliated organizations) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) have filed separate Amicus Briefs in the appeal of the preliminary injunction preventing the opening of the U.S. border to live cattle and an expanded list of beef products. Both the CCA and ABP are applying for amicus curiae, or "friend of the court", status in the appeal of the preliminary injunction filed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the ...
U.S. ag is vulnerable to terrorist attacks according to symposium speakers The symposium, presented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Heart of America Joint Terrorism Task Force executive board, stressed the vulnerability of agriculture in this country to terrorist attacks. "Agroterrorist attacks in the U.S. have been limited to those brought by environmental extremists against laboratories and universities conducting research on genetically engineered food and plants or by animal rights activists protesting the use of animals for vaccine ...
Researcher may have found key to testing for BSE GALVESTON, Texas (AP)--For decades, neuroscientists have theorized that a malformed protein, not viruses or bacteria, caused degenerative illnesses such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease. Soto and his team said their discoveries have led to an early test of blood and food to help doctors detect brain-destroying diseases before they can do much damage--the first step in developing effective treatments. In creating the process, researchers laid the foundations of a ...
Promoting meat or protecting meat? With the support of Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-MO, and 32 others, the bill creates a voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Proponents of the mandatory program continue to air the same arguments they offered in 2002--calling COOL a marketing tool used to add value to a product and provide a competitive advantage for American products over foreign products. But, the advocates of a voluntary program, including some at USDA, call COOL a ...
Johanns visits with sheep industry Producers and leaders from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) were joined by representatives from the National Lamb Feeders Association, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC), the American Lamb Board (ALB) and Western Range Association. Barry Carpenter, deputy administrator of the livestock and seed program for the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), again congratulated the industry for its over-whelming passage of the Lamb Check-off Program. Bovine spongiform ...
Japan may have 18th BSE case Preliminary tests on the cow turned up positive May 10 at a slaughter house in Hokkaido, an island in Japan's far north, Tanabe said. Samples taken from the cow were sent May 11 to two university laboratories in Hokkaido for more precise testing, he said. Japan banned U.S. beef imports after the first case of BSE was confirmed there in December.
Food commission's decision in Japan could lead to lifting of ban on U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Tokyo's food safety commission on May 6 said it would recommend the government waive bovine spongiform encephalopathy tests for cattle younger than 21 months, a move toward lifting the ban on American beef imports to Japan. The decision follows mounting pressure from the United States on Japan to lift the embargo, which has deprived U.S. beef producers of their most lucrative overseas market. The food safety panel will then consider whether it's safe to reopen Japan's markets to ...
Focus on the long-term effects of Canadian border closure However, there is much debate over the opening of the U.S. border to Canadian beef and cattle imports. But, further delaying Canadian cattle imports could have devastating long-term impacts that greatly outweigh any positive short-term gain. As we sit by, Canada is increasing beef processing capacity while U.S. slaughter plants contemplate closures and employee layoffs which results in fewer market opportunities for U.S. cattle and beef.
Cattlemen's groups unveil "USA raised beef" campaign Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska sponsored a joint meeting with the Kansas Cattlemen Association in McCook recently to introduce Nebraskans to a sweeping new campaign promoting domestically-raised beef. Showcasing a banner reading, "Not just any beef--USA Raised Beef. This campaign is designed to enhance demand for USA-raised beef, which is the safest, most nutritious beef in the world."
Cattleman will choose competition over concentration It is rather ironic that those most committed to keeping the Canadian border closed to live cattle trade also tend to make the most noise about packer concentration. Today's strong cattle prices tend to dispel any notion that cattlemen are currently victims of unfair or inadequate competition, and I am not one to blame packer concentration for every ill that affects the cattle industry. While the Canadian border is closed to live cattle, Canadian boxed beef is entering the United States in ...
Canadian cattlemen's group makes plea for resumed imports YAKIMA, Wash. (AP)--Canadian ranchers, devastated by a U.S. ban on live cattle imports from their country, have a plan for ensuring their survival--one that could have repercussions for the U.S. cattle industry in the future. "Regardless of whether the border opens or not, we have a plan to ensure we survive," said John Masswohl, director of international relations for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, which represents as many as 100,000 Canadian cattle producers. Jack Field, executive ...
Beef Checkoff Program receives national marketing awards The Beef Checkoff Program received a host of national awards last week from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). All of the programs, advertisements and events honored at the NAMA event were funded by America's beef producers through the Beef Checkoff Program. They were coordinated on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Livestock Producers Association and the New York Beef Industry Council.
Technical experts travel to Japan, Korea to facilitate resumption of beef exports Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on April 18 announced that a team of experts on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) will travel to South Korea and Japan as part of the continuing efforts to resume U.S. beef and beef product exports. In 2003, the United States exported approximately $1.4 billion and $815 million of beef and beef products (including variety meats) to Japan and South Korea respectively. To date, approximately $2.5 billion of U.S. beef and beef product exports to all ...
NCBA, AFBF file brief in Canadian border case Either way, U.S. cattle producers will not let R-CALF or USDA be the only voices representing the science that supports beef is safe from BSE. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association sent a "friend of the court" brief to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of U.S. cattle producers and members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), 29 state cattle organizations, 18 state farm bureaus, the National Pork Producers Council as well as ...
Johanns to speak at USMEF meeting in May Also speaking that day will be John Bruton, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States and J.B. Penn, undersecretary of the USDA Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to the European Union totaled 7,562 metric tons at a value of $5.1 million through February, increasing 33 percent in volume and 46 percent in value from the same period last year. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing ...
Dutch record first death from vCJD AMSTERDAM (AP)--The first patient in the Netherlands to be diagnosed with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, died May 3, the Health Ministry said. She was believed to have become infected by eating tainted beef before 1997, when the country introduced tight restrictions on beef and beef imports. The Health Ministry says Dutch beef is now safe because it is tested for the disease and nerve tissue is routinely removed before it goes on the ...
Cattle groups join appeal of BSE ruling LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)--Beef producers from Nebraska and other states joined an appeal April 20 of a ruling to block a government plan to allow expanded beef imports from Canada amid concerns of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Cebull temporarily halted the USDA plan after some cattle producers claimed that allowing expanded beef imports from Canada would endanger consumers. Some cattle producers are worried that lifting the ban could jeopardize efforts to persuade Japan, South Korea and other ...
BSE study puts beef export market loss in range of $3.2 to $4.7 billion The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension recently released "The Economic Impact of BSE on the U.S. Beef Industry," which provides a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of lost export markets and policy changes affecting cattle procurement and processing. "The most significant economic impact of BSE is from lost beef export markets," said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky. In 2003, U.S. beef exports were valued at $3.95 billion and ...

April 2005
U.S. cattle ranchers extol strong senate action on Japanese trade "Cattle producers appreciate U.S. Senate Agriculture Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO), Sen. Robert Bennett, (R-UT), Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Michael Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) taking time out of their hectic schedules to make U.S. cattle producers and our export markets a ...
Security Council on Rice Japan agenda TOKYO (AP)--Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will endorse Japanese membership in the U.N. Security Council March 18, and put pressure on the Japanese to end a boycott of U.S. beef imports, Bush administration officials said. Rice reiterated the U.S. position March 18 that the six-party talks remain "North Korea's only path to better relations with the rest of the world." The future of the six-nation talks is on Rice's agenda for meetings in mid-March in Japan and South Korea, and March 21 ...
Relaxed BSE testing won't hurt safety TOKYO (AP)--Japan's food safety panel on March 28 recommended the government stop testing cattle younger than 21 months for bovine spongiform encehpalopathy, a step toward making U.S. beef eligible for import after a 15-month ban. The March 28 panel ruling marked the first time Japanese experts have agreed with the assessment of U.S. scientists--a key step that allows Tokyo to begin debating standards for U.S. beef imports. Earlier in March, a Japanese government panel recommended that Japan...
Reader responds to "Permanent change" The reasons that we have high cattle prices now are: we are at the bottom of the inventory cycle; we have excess slaughter capacity; we are not getting cattle from Canada; the Canadians have not increased their slaughter capacity enough that the beef they are sending us offsets the cattle that they aren't; and U.S. beef demand is very good. In the end though, whether the Canadian border is open to cattle trade or if enough slaughter capacity is built in Canada to meet their needs, the same ...
Kansas Cattlemen's Association to participate in 3i Show The Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA) is participating in the 2005 3i Show in Garden City, Kan. As a service organization committed to representing independent cattle producers, KCA serves cattlemen in not only Kansas, but also 21 additional states. KCA is an affiliate of R-CALF USA, based out of Billings, Mont. KCA is Kansas' fastest growing cattlemen's association, with a total membership over 1,800.
Johanns announces expansion of BSE research The BSE research funds, redirected by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), will be used for new BSE projects and facilities and build upon President Bush's fiscal year 2006 budget proposal, which would increase BSE research by $7.3 million or 155 percent over 2005 funding levels. The 17 other institutions in the project are: Cornell University, Iowa State University, McMasters University, Mississippi State University, North Dakota State University, The Ohio State University, Tuskegee ...
Egypt lifts ban on U.S. beef Egypt has agreed to resume imports of U.S. beef and beef livers effective March 21, 2005. Egypt has banned U.S. beef and beef products since December 2003, when the imported Canadian cow tested positive for BSE in Washington state. One other significant requirement the U.S. must meet before exporting beef to Egypt is that the beef must be from cattle of U.S. origin, or from cattle imported from countries free of BSE.
Creekstone Farms doubling capacity Creekstone Farms Premium Beef's move to double its production capacity comes at a time when the nation's major meatpackers are cutting back kills amid higher costs for cattle. In the meantime, the company has developed Creekstone Farms Natural Black Angus Beef--cattle produced without supplemental growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics and raised on a vegetarian diet since birth. Also, in March Sun Capital Partners Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Creekstone Holding Corp., had acquired ...
Colorado governor gets bill to keep some cattle records secret DURANGO, Colo. (AP)--A measure that would allow state officials to withhold some records about investigations into livestock disease outbreaks from the public is awaiting Gov. Bill Owens' signature, the last step before it becomes law. It would allow the agriculture commissioner to keep records of surveillance and investigations into disease outbreaks in the cattle industry secret unless a quarantine has been issued or the investigation has ended. Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, said the bill ...
Cattle record secrecy bill passed DURANGO, Colo. (AP)--A measure that would allow state officials to withhold from the public some records about investigations into livestock disease outbreaks is awaiting Gov. Bill Owens' signature, the last step before it becomes law. It would allow the agriculture commissioner to keep secret records of surveillance and investigations into disease outbreaks in the cattle industry unless a quarantine has been issued or the investigation has ended. Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, said the bill ...
Canadian cattle producer associations file for standing in R-CALF suit The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) and Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) on March 21 jointly filed for intervener status in the R-CALF vs. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) law suit to be heard in U.S. District Court for Montana, Billings Division in late July. The CCA represents over 90,000 Canadian beef cattle producers. The CCA had filed a Motion for Leave to File a Brief Amicus Curiae ("friend of the court") to the District Court in February, but that motion was rejected by the ...
Ranchers' group outlines priorities Leaders of the cattle industry group spoke to reporters by phone from Washington, D.C., where they are trying to push some of their top priorities in Congress, including the repeal of the estate tax, an animal identification program and normalized trade with Canada and Japan. The United States has not allowed live cattle from Canada since a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered there in May 2003. NCBA leaders said it would be reasonable for Japan to set a date for the ...
New case of BSE shows in preliminary tests in Czech Josef Duben, a spokesman for the state veterinary authority, said in a statement that a 5-year-old cow from a farm in Trhovy Stepanov, 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Prague, tested positive for BSE. In every previous case, initial positive results have been confirmed in final testing. The Czech Republic's first case of the brain disease was reported in June 2001.
NCBA outlines funding priorities NCBA emphasized the need for funding to protect the health of our nation's cattle herd, ensure continued confidence in our food supply, conserve our natural resources and enhance the viability of the U.S. beef industry. NCBA's top priority is that the agriculture appropriations bill fund continued enhancement of our nation's animal health infrastructure. This infrastructure includes the National Animal Disease Center, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and the Center for Veterinary...
Johanns: Lawmakers' "growing frustration" might lead to sanctions against Japan over beef ban TOKYO (AP)--U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on April 9 warned that lawmakers in Washington are growing impatient with Japan over its ban on American beef imports, and urged Tokyo to resume the beef trade soon, according to Japan's public broadcaster. Japan banned U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the discovery of America's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Before the ban, Japan was the biggest spender on U.S. beef, estimated at about US$1.5 billion (euro1.16 ...
Japan: Two more BSE positives TOKYO (AP)--Two cows in northern Japan have tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in preliminary exams, and samples were being sent April 19 to a laboratory to confirm what would be the country's 18th and 19th cases of the fatal, brain-wasting disease. Preliminary tests on the cows--an 18-year-old beef cow and a 10- year-old Holstein--turned up positive April 18 at a dairy health center in Miyagi, prefectural official Yoshiyuki Konno said. Samples from the two cows were to be ...
Canadians threaten to kick BSE dispute up a notch, take complaint directly to WTO, NAFTA The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) and 23 other organizations on April 18 announced that they have requested the Government of Canada to initiate dispute settlement mechanisms with the United States under either the World Trade Organization (WTO) or North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The groups believe that dispute settlement is an essential element that the Government must use to achieve the re-opening of the U.S. market to live cattle, other affected ruminants, all beef ...
Vet claims U.S. hiding BSE cases Dr. Lester Friedlander said April 6 that colleagues with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have told him of cases that the department has chosen not to announce. Friedlander said it's not credible that the U.S. Agriculture Department has found just one BSE case and only in an animal that entered the U.S. from Alberta. But while the U.S. Agriculture Department's record looks worse than the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's, Canada still needs a new consumer agency to oversee packing-plant ...
U.S. must not blink when dealing with world trade issues So, while we wrangle among ourselves over allowing Canadian cattle and beef into the United States during the short-term, the Canadian beef industry is expending resources and redoubling efforts to promote Canadian beef to the world in the long-term. Our concern about the U.S. cattle industry is also why we are so adamant about focusing on the long-term good for our cattle markets and cattle producers. Further delaying Canadian cattle imports could have devastating long-term impacts on the ...
Taiwan reopens market to U.S. boneless beef U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip M. Seng said, "The opening of the Taiwan market to U.S. beef is the result of hard work by USDA, American Institute of Taiwan (AIT), the USMEF staff and our industry partners." Boneless beef, now eligible for export, accounted for $56.8 million or 74 percent of total U.S. beef exports to Taiwan. U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to Taiwan totaled 19,184 metric tons (mt) in 2003 with boneless beef accounting for 66 percent of ...
PFI offers guidance on handling salvage, distressed pet food For over four years, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has made available its "Handling Salvage & Distressed Pet Food" guide to help everyone comply with the laws governing these pet food products. "Handling Salvage & Distressed Pet Food" also contains sample pet food product donation letters for giving products to animal shelters, as well as information on pet food labeling requirements from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Copies of PFI's "Handling Salvage & ...
NCBA to hold satellite forum on Canadian trade issues The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) will hold a Satellite Forum on RFD-TV on Thursday, April 21 from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. CT, 8 p.m. MT, 7 p.m. PT), to update cattlemen on recent NCBA actions and international trade developments, including trade with Canada. NCBA President Jim McAdams, a cattleman from Adkins, Texas, International Markets Committee Chairman Jamie Willrett, a cattleman from Malta, Ill., and Dr. Gary Weber, NCBA Executive Director of Regulatory ...
Moran meets again with Japanese ambassador Congressman Jerry Moran and the House Agriculture Committee on April 6 met with Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato to discuss opening the Japanese markets to U.S. beef. "I was disappointed that Ambassador Kato could not provide a timeline for resuming imports of U.S. beef," Moran said. Since Japan closed its markets to U.S. beef in December 2003, the U.S. has lost an estimated $2 billion in sales.
Japanese petition for U.S. beef; nearly 1.2 million signatures collected Nearly 1.2 million people nationwide signed the petition, which was submitted to the Agriculture Ministry March 29 to urge the early resumption of U.S. beef imports, campaign spokesman Yasuharu Tagaya said. "We want U.S. beef back so we can enjoy dishes such as 'gyu-don' (beef and rice) and barbecued tongue," Tagaya said. Japan banned U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the discovery of America's first case of BSE.
Economic suffering behind BSE suits "They were grossly negligent in not taking into account the common knowledge and scientific knowledge of how mad cow is transmitted," Montreal lawyer Gilles Gareau, who is leading the Quebec suit, said Monday. TORONTO(CP)--The devastating financial hardship the mad-cow crisis has caused Canada's cattle producers has sparked four mammoth class-action lawsuits accusing the federal government of negligence. It was only in 1997 that Canada banned the practice of feeding cattle to other cattle.
Canadian farmers sue federal government over BSE TORONTO (AP)--Canadian farmers hard hit by a ban on cattle exports to the United States April 11 sued Canada's federal government, accusing it of negligently allowing bovine spongiform encephalopathy to devastate the cattle industry. They claim the federal government introduced a regulation in 1990 that specifically allowed the feeding of cattle parts to other cattle, the method through which mad cow disease is transmitted. Bill Sauer, a cattle producer near Niagara Falls, Ontario, and the ...
Canada, Mexico, U.S. harmonize BSE strategy The U.S. Department of Agriculture on April 1 announced that Canada, Mexico and the United States have established a harmonized approach to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk mitigation to more effectively address any BSE risk in North America. This science-based framework of risk management measures for BSE has been developed with the objective to help normalize trade in ruminants and ruminant products within North America and to promote an international BSE strategy consistent with...
BSE whistleblower willing to take test Friedlander said he knows USDA veterinarians who sent suspect cow brains to private laboratories that confirmed BSE infection, but samples from the same animals were cleared by government labs. Rob McNabb, a spokesman for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, said it does seem puzzling that four BSE cases have been detected in Canadian- born cattle but none in U.S.-born cattle. The U.S. government closed its border to live cattle imports from Canada in 2003 after a single Canadian cow tested ...
What motivates Japan? Before Japan closed its market to U.S. beef 15 months ago, this island nation was the biggest importer for U.S. beef. There is no basis--scientific or otherwise--for keeping the Japanese beef market closed to U.S. beef. Kansas cattlemen respect the Japanese government's desire to keep their food supply safe. U.S. beef is an important part of Japan's restaurant business and many Japanese consumers also would like to eat U.S.-grown beef again soon.
U.S. cattle producers call for congressional CAFTA-DR support The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports the U.S.-Central America - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) because of the agreement's benefits for U.S. beef producers. "The CAFTA-DR markets have now all reopened to U.S. products, and this agreement will provide immediate expanded access for U.S. exports on day one of implementation." NCBA's economic analysis of the agreement suggests that overall U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to these nations ...
Unfinished business This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee takes up the nomination of Charles "Chuck" Conner as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Just last week, USDA, Mexico and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) initiated good faith efforts to set up continental guidelines for food safety issues particularly BSE. And while we wait for reopening of the Canadian border and the Japanese market, our domestic cattle industry has shouldered the market stresses of a...
RMFU, Sugarbeet Growers join forces to lobby against trade agreement Rocky Mountain Farmers Union's (RMFU) and the Colorado Sugarbeet Growers Association traveled to Washington, D.C., March 14 to 16 to ask members of the U.S. Congress not to pass the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The group also urged lawmakers to re-establish U.S. beef trade with Japan, Korea, and other nations suspending them following the discovery of a BSE-infected cow of Canadian origins prior to opening the U.S.-Canadian border to beef imports. In February, ...
R-CALF head warns of relaxed import restrictions R-CALF USA founder, Leo McDonnell, told cattlemen at Harrison, Neb., March 19 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving toward making the U.S. the "dumping ground for food products that other countries have banned." McDonnell also warned that U.S. cattle producers could be devastated if proposed free trade agreements are implemented. Japan closed its border to U.S. beef after a single animal imported from Canada to the U.S. was found with BSE in December 2003.
Packers feeling the pinch of Canadian cattle ban Packers in this country--some closer to the Mexican border than the Canadian one--are feeling the effects of the trade restrictions and competition for cattle. But many packers insist Canadian cattle and beef are safe for import, noting that boxed boneless beef is now shipped in from Canada. The packers' group has sought to lift restrictions on cattle and beef trade with Canada.
Ottawa unveils aid plan for farmers The Canadian cattle industry has lost about US$5.7 billion since then. Climatic problems, such as droughts and killer frosts, as well as border issues and poor commodity prices have all contributed to the problems facing Canadian farmers, Mitchell said. Excluding the March 29 announcement, federal and provincial governments have pledged almost C$2 billion (US$1.6 billion) in aid for cattle producers since mad cow disease was first discovered.
Japan panel recommends relaxing BSE testing TOKYO (AP)--A Japanese authority's recommendation to stop testing imports of U.S. beef from young cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy was a "very small step" in a process that was still too slow and cumbersome in lifting a wider ban on American beef, U.S officials said. Japan's food safety panel March 28 recommended the government stop testing cattle younger than 21 months for BSE, a cautious step toward end a ban on U.S. beef imports imposed in December 2003 after the United States ...
Italy detects new cases of BSE The ministry said analysis confirmed a positive result in a 9-year-old cow from a breeding farm in the countryside of Brescia and in a 12-year-old cow in Cuneo. The number of cases detected in the country since testing began in 2001 has risen to 126. The European Union requires tests on cattle older than 30 months destined for slaughter.
House effort to protect domestic beef gains momentum Eighty-two cattle, farm, and consumer groups joined together to send a clear message to the U.S. House of Representatives when the groups recently issued a joint letter to lawmakers urging support for House Joint Resolution 23, which rejects the United State Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) efforts to establish beef trade with countries affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The resolution was jointly introduced by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) and U.S. Rep. Barbara ...
FAPRI projects rebounding U.S. meat exports, soybean concentration In 2004, with strong grain and livestock prices, total U.S. agricultural exports recovered from earlier downturns and increased by nearly 5 percent in volume and nearly 11 percent in value. The loss of major meat export destinations after a U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was confirmed sent beef exports down by 83 percent and dropped the U.S. share of total meat trade to a record low. Brazil overtakes the United States as the largest soybean producer and exporter in the ...
CCA pleased with USDA decision to appeal preliminary injunction The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) stated that the March 17 announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to appeal the preliminary injunction delaying movement of live cattle to the U.S. is a positive step that indicates USDA's confidence in Canada's BSE controls and the safety of Canadian beef. A USDA rule to allow importation of live feeder and slaughter cattle under 30 months and an expanded list of beef products from Canada was to have gone into effect March...
Canadian producers seek involvement in lawsuit over border closure BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Canadian cattle producers are trying to get involved in a federal court case challenging the reopening of the border to Canadian cattle. A federal judge earlier this month granted R-CALF a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit, temporarily halting a government plan to allow the import of some cattle from Canada beginning March 7. R-CALF contends the plan for expanded trade with Canada poses a risk to U.S. consumers and cattle producers. R-CALF has also sought in its ...
Canadian, New York men charged in cattle smuggling SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP)--Federal authorities have charged two men with smuggling banned Canadian cattle into the United States. The importation of cattle and cattle products has been prohibited by federal regulation since May 2003 because of concern over bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Authorities seized the six cows as Jacobs and Derouchie were transporting them in a trailer on Route 11 in Canton.
AFBF outlines need for discretionary ag funding In a five-page statement to the Senate and House agriculture committees and appropriations committees, the American Farm Bureau Federation recently explained why discretionary funding should be maintained and even increased for several agencies and programs. The additional research funding would allow Agriculture Research Service scientists to increase our understanding of the disease and develop the technology needed by regulatory agencies to establish science-based policies and control ...

March 2005
USMEF hands out pork samples and beef information at Japan's FoodEx 2005 The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is making the most of its strong presence at Japan's FoodEx 2005, the largest food show in the Asia Pacific region, by showcasing the tastiness of U.S. pork and educating visitors about the grading system and BSE safety measures the U.S. beef industry is practicing. USMEF is providing samples of U.S. pork prepared with four different special sauces developed for the U.S. pork campaign in Japan. U.S. chilled pork is highly thought of in Japan and ...
USDA officials plan to boost BSE research The funding comes on top of the $4.7 million the USDA will spend this year to research the disease. Boosting research to better understand mad cow and other infections will make the nation's food supply more secure, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said in a speech to the National Restaurant Association's Food Safety Summit in Washington. BSE is a brain-wasting ailment that, in humans, causes a variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
USDA appeals ruling on Canadian cattle WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture appealed the decision of a federal judge in Montana to continue an almost 2-year-old ban on importing Canadian cattle arising from bovine spongiform encephalopathy disease north of the United States. USDA officials had planned to lift the import ban on Canadian cows March 7, but U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull granted five days earlier a request from U.S. ranchers for a preliminary injunction to continue the prohibition. Canadian ...
Secretary Johanns supports proposed ag programs cuts If they do open the Farm bill it will be hard to say which program should be cut and that might put a strain on the coalition of farm groups that came together to get the current Farm Bill passed. This farm bill was built on a coalition and if you cut any part of that Farm bill, you risk breaking the coalition. Although several programs were be cut under the proposed budget, Sec. Johanns noted that several key programs would see increased funding.
R-CALF founder responds It's unfortunate that Washington-based columnist Jim Wiesemeyer, who writes Inside Washington Today, failed to check his facts and sources before publishing on March 15 an article titled "Japan Tells R-CALF Their Actions are Delaying Resumption of American Beef Buys." Wiesemeyer and others have falsely insinuated that R-CALF met with Japanese officials and that an R-CALF representative was told that "R-CALF's actions will actually delay the re-opening of the Japanese border." (Editor's note: ...
Japanese officials tell R-CALF their actions will delay border opening "When R-CALF points to the risk of Canadian beef, you are increasing Japanese consumers' anxiety for U.S. beef, because we believe the risk of beef from both countries is similar. --Japan views the U.S. and Canada as an integrated market and as Japan nears resuming American beef buys, it will be hard to communicate to the Japanese public and definitely Japanese consumer groups if the U.S.-Canadian border is still closed. "Keeping the border closed to U.S. beef is not in the interest of ...
Japan denies delaying decision TOKYO (AP)--Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi March 10 denied that Japan is dragging its feet on a decision to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports, amid mounting pressure from Washington for Tokyo to move faster. Japan is not deliberately delaying resumption of U.S. beef imports," Koizumi told a parliamentary committee on foreign and defense affairs. Japan banned U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the discovery of the U.S. first case of mad cow disease.
Georgia creates a network to stop potential agro-terrorism TIFTON, Ga. (AP)--Georgia launched an agro-terrorism awareness program March 7 to create a statewide network of emergency workers, farmers, veterinarians and others who would help protect the nation's food supply from sabotage. Georgia is the first in the nation to develop an agro-security awareness program aimed at protecting consumers from tainted food as well as maintaining the state's $42 billion agricultural industry, said Lee Myers, the state veterinarian and chair of the state's agro-...
U.S. cattlemen push for OIE "provisionally free" designation The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to seek the "Provisionally Free" designation for the United States from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). NCBA's letter says, "As our expanded BSE surveillance program approaches the target of 268,500 cattle, it illustrates even more profoundly why one imported cow with BSE should not have affected our BSE status or our international trade status. "Having the official OIE ...
Texas cattle groups request sanctions on Japan The Bush administration should impose economic sanctions on Japan due to Japan's unwillingness to open their market for U.S. beef, say the leaders of Texas' two largest cattle organizations. "Efforts by the Bush administration and industry have gone the extra mile in proving U.S. beef is free from BSE, but our trading partners continue to drag their feet on this issue," said Bob McCan, president of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. "Japanese consumers are expressing a desire...
State goal--livestock probe secrecy But Jean Halloran, director of Consumers Union's Consumer Policy Institute in Yonkers, N.Y., said there are good reasons to fully disclose all information about testing for animal diseases--especially bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. The preliminary tests for mad-cow and some other diseases are designed to be conservative and provide a false positive if there's uncertainty to prompt further, more accurate testing, said Jim Miller, director of policy and initiatives for the Colorado ...
State agricultural experts praise Canadian export ban OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)--State agriculture and cattle experts praised a federal judge's decision March 2 to prevent Canadian cattle from entering the United States. He said the decision will help cattle producers because an influx of cattle from Canada could drive U.S. cattle prices down. The Canadian cattle industry has been devastated by the U.S. beef ban, with losses amounting to about $5.6 billion.
South Korean officials noncommittal about U.S. beef BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)--South Korean officials are noncommittal about resuming imports of U.S. beef, says Rep. Earl Pomeroy, who was part of a congressional delegation that recently visited South Korea and Malaysia. Pomeroy spoke to South Korean agriculture officials in late February about resuming the U.S. beef trade in time for Chuseok, the three-day Harvest Moon Festival in September that's an occasion for eating beef, but they did not promise the market would be reopened by then. Pomeroy ...
Senators urge ambassador to accept U.S. beef Sen. Chuck Hagel said U.S. lawmakers are losing patience with the Japanese, who have not said when they will begin accepting beef from the United States. A Japanese government panel in middle February accepted U.S. assurances that a specific grade of meat would be free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Sen. Ben Nelson also signed the letter, which will be sent in the final week of February to Japanese ambassador Ryozo Kato, said Nelson's spokesman, David DiMartino.
Researchers to study mad cows and smart borders As part of a recently funded Canadian Studies project, Jason Ackleson, New Mexico State University, and Justin Kastner, Kansas State University, will examine North American border challenges of the post-Sept. 11 era. "Much happens at the U.S.-Canadian border," said Ackleson, a New Mexico State faculty member who studied international relations and border security at the London School of Economics. During their research project, Ackleson and Kastner will focus on the bilateral "Smart Border" ...
R-CALF claims victory as court grants request for preliminary injunction On March 2, in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull granted R-CALF USA its request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the Canadian border from reopening to live cattle and additional beef products on March 7, as scheduled by the United States Department of Agriculture in its Final Rule issued on Dec. 29, 2004. R-CALF USA still maintains that country-of-origin labeling (COOL) should be fully implemented before the border re-opens so U.S. ...
NFU praises Senate vote on Canadian beef "I applaud the U.S. Senate for passing Senate Joint Resolution 4 today (March 3) to prohibit the reopening of the Canadian border on March 7. Today's Senate action is necessary to prevent USDA from plowing ahead prematurely to re-establish live cattle trade with Canada and other BSE-positive countries. Further, many senators stated the fact that our largest beef export markets remain closed to U.S. beef. Finally, a number of senators remarked on the inappropriateness of this rule specifically...
NFU convention: Keep border closed to Canadian cattle That's the message from National Farmers Union delegates in their annual convention in Lexington, Ky. Members of the farm organization said they are opposed to a U.S. government plan to reopen the border to live cattle shipments from Canada. U.S. officials closed the border last year after bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in a Canadian-born cow. --An economic safety net is set up to protect U.S. producers from losses if imports from BSE-nations drive down cattle prices.
Missourian finds fault with Washington Also, when is Japan going to reopen their imports to U.S. beef? Never, unless they are forced to. Remember we import more beef than we export and this could help our trade deficit. Please remember we have military personnel dying daily to protect our supply of oil.
Meatpackers challenge ban on older cattle from Canada WASHINGTON (AP)--American meatpackers challenged a ban on shipments of older Canadian cattle, arguing in federal court that it's arbitrary for the government to say those animals are at greater risk of developing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In U.S. District Court in Washington Feb. 23, the packers' industry group said the age of cattle doesn't affect whether consumers or other livestock are at risk. The USDA has found that infection happens only if an animal eats feed containing the ...
KCA informational meeting set for April 5 The Kansas Cattlemen's Association will be having an informational meeting focusing on current issues facing independent cattle producers April 5 at 6:30 p.m., at Fort Scott Livestock, Fort Scott. KCA Executive Director, Doran Junek will speak on behalf of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association, while Dr. Max Thornsberry or Richland, Mo., will speak about BSE issues, and Bill Bullard is scheduled to speak about R-CALF USA. The KCA is an affiliate of R-CALF USA and is Kansas' fastest growing ...
Johanns: U.S cattle trade with Japan, Canada inconsistent KEARNEY, Neb. (AP)--The government is sending an inconsistent message to its trade partners by keeping America's border closed to Canadian cattle while encouraging Japan to open its borders to U.S. beef, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said. Johanns' message came a day after a federal judge in Montana ruled to delay the proposed March 7 reopening of the U.S. border for Canadian cattle. Johanns, Nebraska's governor until January, said that he has been pressuring Japan to reopen its ...
Japan unlikely to give beef time frame Rice will come to Japan March 18 during a tour of Asia, even as Washington has been pressuring Tokyo to the ban, imposed in December 2003 after the discovery of the United States' first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said chances are slim that the government will be able to tell Rice when U.S. beef will be allowed back into Japan. Japan currently requires testing of all beef products for the fatal, brain-wasting disease, but the ...
Japan resists U.S. pressure Japan will not compromise on food safety just because Washington has increased its calls for Tokyo to resume the beef trade, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters. However, Japan needs to wait for Japan's Food Safety Commission to rule on whether it is in the interest of consumer health and safety to let U.S. beef into the country before deciding to lift the ban, Hosoda said. Earlier this month, a Japanese government panel recommended that Japan begin importing U.S. grade A40...
Japan panel meets, discusses BSE TOKYO (AP)--Food safety experts in Japan neared agreement March 11 on relaxing beef-testing standards for bovine spongiform encephalopathy--a development likely to help clear the way toward resuming U.S. beef imports after a 15-month-old ban. Japan currently requires testing of all beef products for the fatal, brain-wasting disease, and has barred U.S. beef imports that have not undergone such tests. Last month, a government panel recommended that Japan begin importing U.S. grade A40 beef, ...
Japanese official: Expect Japan to import U.S. beef by summer (AP)--Japan's deputy consul-general said he expected his country to end its ban on U.S. beef by summer. Feb. 16, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party endorsed U.S.-proposed measures to verify that its U.S. beef exports were not contaminated by BSE, a party spokesman said speaking on condition of anonymity. 2 official at the Japanese consulate in Denver, said no firm date had been set, but he expected Japan to be importing U.S. beef again within months.
GAO: FDA must improve feed ban enforcement The FDA, in response, said it believed its inspection approach to the feed-ban rule was adequate. The GAO added that FDA's feed-ban inspection guidance does not include instructions to sample routinely cattle feed to test for potentially banned material. The FDA said the weaknesses identified were not sufficient to place U.S. cattle at risk and its inspection approach assured adequate oversight of the feed ban.
Farm Bureau supports USDA rule on Canada beef The U.S. Department of Agriculture's amended final rule on resumption of beef and live cattle trade with Canada is not likely to have a significant impact on the overall cattle supply in the United States, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau agrees with USDA's assessment of Canada as a "minimal risk country" for BSE and supports allowing additional products and certain live animals into the United States. This includes: Prohibition of specified risk materials in ...
Delegation supports decision in border case SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--A judge's order temporarily blocking the resumption of Canadian beef imports because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears provides time to reconsider whether the border should be opened, members of the South Dakota congressional delegation said. South Dakota senators differ, though, on how the legal decision affects congressional efforts to uphold the cattle ban. Thune and Johnson agree that the border should remain closed to Canadian cattle.
Creekstone Farms sold to investment firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. announced March 2 that its subsidiary, Creekstone Holding Corp., has acquired majority interest in Creekstone Farms Premium Beef. Creekstone had argued that Japan would open its markets to U.S. beef if comprehensive testing was allowed. Creekstone, which employs about 650 people at its Arkansas City plant, purchased the former Future Beef plant in January 2003 at a bankruptcy auction.
Canadian cattlemen believe protectionism behind BSE ruling Their anger was compounded March 3 when the U.S. Senate voted to overturn the Bush administration's decision to lift a ban March 7, which was imposed on Canadian cattle nearly two years ago because of fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America, based in Billings, argued before Cebull that the USDA plan to reintroduce Canadian beef would pose a risk to consumers and U.S. cattle producers. Western U.S. ranchers saw near-record cattle prices last year...
Canadian cattle deemed safe despite new BSE cases The results of their investigation affirm that reopening U.S. borders on March 7 poses "virtually no risk to human or animal health," said Ron DeHaven, administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. U.S. borders have been closed since Canada's first case of BSE in May 2003. Investigators were testing Canada's compliance with a ban on cattle remains in feed because that is how the disease is believed to spread.
Bid to resume beef imports denied WASHINGTON (AP)--A federal judge on March 7 rejected an effort by American meatpackers to lift all bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related barriers to Canadian beef shipments. The import ban was to have been lifted March 7 on Canadian cows under 30 months of age, but a federal judge in Montana in early March granted a request from U.S. ranchers to keep the border closed. The department currently is determining whether there is risk in allowing shipments of Canadian cattle older than 30 ...
Beef demand strengthened in 2004, but likely to slow this year "Beef demand index calculations indicate U.S. beef demand during 2004 increased 7.6 percent above demand in 2003," said James Mintert, livestock marketing specialist with K-State Research and Extension. "Since 1998, when domestic beef demand bottomed out, choice (grade) retail beef demand has increased approximately 25 percent." Mintert said that 2004 beef demand growth was strongest in the first nine months of the year, with demand for choice beef up 10.9, 9.3, and 8.9 percent in the first,...
Meatpackers challenge ban on older cattle from Canada WASHINGTON (AP)--American meatpackers challenged a ban on shipments of older Canadian cattle, arguing in federal court that it's arbitrary for the government to say those animals are at greater risk of developing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In U.S. District Court in Washington Feb. 23, the packers' industry group said the age of cattle doesn't affect whether consumers or other livestock are at risk. The USDA has found that infection happens only if an animal eats feed containing the ...
U.S. expresses concern about time it takes to lift beef ban WASHINGTON (AP)--The United States expressed its concern Feb. 19 at the amount of time it was taking Japan to completely lift a ban on imports of U.S. beef, a State Department official said. Japan imposed a ban on U.S. beef imports in December 2003 after the United States discovered its first case of fatal brain-wasting bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, in a Washington state Holstein. The panel recommended that Japan begin importing U.S grade A40 beef, which comes primarily from cattle...
Texas cattle groups request sanctions on Japan The Bush administration should impose economic sanctions on Japan due to Japan's unwillingness to open their market for U.S. beef, say the leaders of Texas' two largest cattle organizations. "Efforts by the Bush administration and industry have gone the extra mile in proving U.S. beef is free from BSE, but our trading partners continue to drag their feet on this issue," said Bob McCan, president of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. "Japanese consumers are expressing a desire...
Senators urge ambassador to accept U.S. beef Sen. Chuck Hagel said U.S. lawmakers are losing patience with the Japanese, who have not said when they will begin accepting beef from the United States. A Japanese government panel in middle February accepted U.S. assurances that a specific grade of meat would be free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Sen. Ben Nelson also signed the letter, which will be sent in the final week of February to Japanese ambassador Ryozo Kato, said Nelson's spokesman, David DiMartino.
Researchers to study mad cows and smart borders As part of a recently funded Canadian Studies project, Jason Ackleson, New Mexico State University, and Justin Kastner, Kansas State University, will examine North American border challenges of the post-Sept. 11 era. "Much happens at the U.S.-Canadian border," said Ackleson, a New Mexico State faculty member who studied international relations and border security at the London School of Economics. During their research project, Ackleson and Kastner will focus on the bilateral "Smart Border" ...
Oklahoma Farmers Union delegation attends national convention Hot topics of discussion and development of national policy positions included the pending Canadian border opening and recent budget cuts to Farm Bill spending. Our delegation represented our Oklahoma producers very well by also insisting on continued full funding of the 2002 farm bill." Oklahoma Farmers Union recently celebrated its centennial anniversary and continues to represent over 100,000 family farmers, ranchers and rural citizens through educational opportunities, legislative ...
New cattle group seeks to delay border opening with Canada Chris Abbott, president of Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, said he has visited numerous sale barns in the past month, signing up members and encouraging them to contribute to a legal fight to delay the March 7 deadline that will once again allow live Canadian cattle under age 30 months back into the United States. Abbott said Feb. 18 his group's cattle auctions and other efforts have raised about $100,000 for R-CALF, or Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America. ...
Moran works to open Japanese markets Congressman Jerry Moran recently introduced a resolution calling on Japan to reopen its border to U.S. beef. Should Japan fail to do so, Moran's resolution requests that the U.S. Trade Representative seek economic sanctions against Japan. If Japan fails to abide by the agreement to reopen its border, then the U.S. Trade Representative should initiate immediate retaliatory economic measures on Japan. Since Japan closed its markets to U.S. beef in December 2003, the U.S. has lost an estimated...
Meatpackers challenge ban on older cattle from Canada WASHINGTON (AP)--American meatpackers challenged a ban on shipments of older Canadian cattle, arguing in federal court that it's arbitrary for the government to say those animals are at greater risk of developing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In U.S. District Court in Washington Feb. 23, the packers' industry group said the age of cattle doesn't affect whether consumers or other livestock are at risk. The USDA has found that infection happens only if an animal eats feed containing the ...
Johanns: U.S cattle trade with Japan, Canada inconsistent KEARNEY, Neb. (AP)--The government is sending an inconsistent message to its trade partners by keeping America's border closed to Canadian cattle while encouraging Japan to open its borders to U.S. beef, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said. Johanns' message came a day after a federal judge in Montana ruled to delay the proposed March 7 reopening of the U.S. border for Canadian cattle. Johanns, Nebraska's governor until January, said that he has been pressuring Japan to reopen its ...
Japanese official: Expect Japan to import U.S. beef by summer (AP)--Japan's deputy consul-general said he expected his country to end its ban on U.S. beef by summer. Feb. 16, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party endorsed U.S.-proposed measures to verify that its U.S. beef exports were not contaminated by BSE, a party spokesman said speaking on condition of anonymity. 2 official at the Japanese consulate in Denver, said no firm date had been set, but he expected Japan to be importing U.S. beef again within months.
Creekstone Farms sold to investment firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. announced March 2 that its subsidiary, Creekstone Holding Corp., has acquired majority interest in Creekstone Farms Premium Beef. Creekstone had argued that Japan would open its markets to U.S. beef if comprehensive testing was allowed. Creekstone, which employs about 650 people at its Arkansas City plant, purchased the former Future Beef plant in January 2003 at a bankruptcy auction.
Canadian cattlemen say strategy will make them more competitive The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) March 7 welcomed the Alberta government's pledge of $37 million for the further development of export markets for Canadian beef and development of commercial uses for byproducts of beef production. The Alberta government is the first to pledge funding for the beef industry's Legacy Fund, which will be used to help the Canadian beef industry develop new markets and expand sales in existing markets. The strategy includes expansion of domestic and ...
Canadian cattle deemed safe despite new BSE cases The results of their investigation affirm that reopening U.S. borders on March 7 poses "virtually no risk to human or animal health," said Ron DeHaven, administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. U.S. borders have been closed since Canada's first case of BSE in May 2003. Investigators were testing Canada's compliance with a ban on cattle remains in feed because that is how the disease is believed to spread.
Alberta beef producers prepare to celebrate border re-opening COCHRANE, Alberta (AP)--There's a weekend party planned, complete with a roasted side of beef, to mark the March 7 scheduled reopening of the U.S. border to live Canadian cattle. "We're keeping our heads down and fingers crossed," Ed Fetting said from Lethbridge, the heart of Alberta's cattle industry. Feedlot operator Rick Paskal will have two shipments of slaughter cattle en route to the United States Feb. 28--one at the border crossing into Sweetgrass, Mont., and other at Eastport, Idaho.
Just a Scoop Full (March 9)--The big news in the cattle business was the judge's ruling that postponed the crossing of live cattle from Canada. The two big packers that own slaughtering plants in Canada probably prefer it like it is--where they can buy fat cattle cheap and bring them across the border for a big mark-up. Another thought from those wanting the border open is the fear of Canada accumulating more export business as Canada is building more slaughtering plants--with Canada continuing to have more ...
Western hunters learn to live with chronic wasting disease The Denver-area men hunt in parts of Wyoming and Colorado where chronic wasting disease--a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, like bovine spongiform encephalopathy--is found in deer and elk. Hunters continue to roam the mountains in the heart of the disease's hot spots in Colorado and Wyoming. After the infection flared on Colorado elk ranches in 2001, critics claimed the captive herds served as breeding grounds for the disease.
USDA releases technical assessment on the implementation of Canadian feed ban The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 25 released its assessment of the Canadian ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban. "This assessment affirms our science-based decision to begin lifting the ban on live ruminants and ruminant products from Canada that have virtually no risk to human or animal health." USDA assembled a team of technical experts that arrived in Canada on Jan. 24 to gather all relevant information to do an in-depth assessment on Canada's ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban and their ...
USDA probe finds Canadian feed problems The agency's inspector general faulted agriculture officials for allowing more kinds of Canadian meat products into the United States before the judge's ruling. The agency soon began to expand the list of meat products allowed to enter the United States, adding products at the time considered to be at higher risk of spreading BSE, such as beef tongues. Despite saying they would refuse meat from Canadian slaughterhouses that made higher-risk products, agriculture officials decided to accept ...
Texas rancher takes over leadership role at NCBA Jim McAdams, a fourth generation rancher from Adkins, Texas, will serve as president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) for the next year. McAdams became involved with the National Cattlemen's Association (NCA), now NCBA, in the 1980's when he was working with Texas A&M on an Integrated Resource Management (IRM) program. In 1972 Jim McAdams graduated from Texas A&M University and returned home to the family ranch located about 45 miles east of College Station, Texas.
Stockgrowers support joint resolution of disapproval Members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, like Senator Johnson, realize that now is not the time to reopen the Canadian border to any live cattle. "We are encouraged to see Senator Johnson's signature on a Congressional Joint Resolution of Disapproval, which is the tool Congress uses to repeal inappropriate rules written by federal agencies, such as the USDA," said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D. The South Dakota Stockgrowers ...
State attorneys general file briefs supporting cattlemen's lawsuit HELENA, Mont. (AP)--The attorneys general from Montana, West Virginia and five other states filed legal arguments in federal court Feb. 16 supporting a livestock group's lawsuit to halt expanded imports of Canadian beef and cattle in the wake of bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases in that country. The attorneys general said they support the group's request for a temporary court order preventing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's expansion plan from taking effect as proposed next month, ...
South Dakota opposes USDA border rule In a move to protect the health and safety of the South Dakota cattle herd, South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long joined several other states in signing an amicus brief in support of recent litigation filed by the national cattle organization R-CALF USA. Attorney General Larry Long told the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association "South Dakota was happy to participate in the preparation of the brief and we were happy to help recruit other states to sign on. Fox said the Stockgrowers are ...
R-CALF USA injunction hearing set for March 2 The court hearing to determine the fate of the R-CALF USA injunction against U.S. Department of Agriculture's final rule to open the U.S.--Canadian border to live cattle less than 30 months of age and additional beef products will be heard in the Federal District Court in Billings, Montana March 2. The hearing is open to the public and is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. R-CALF USA is seeking an injunction, which will postpone USDA's March 7 implementation date of its final rule. R-CALF USA's ...
Perception is reality when it comes to beef safety "With the ban on feeding recycled protein back to cattle and the lack of other routes of BSE transmission, the levels of BSE globally should continue to decline," Knowles said. "With this decline in BSE, the risk of BSE transmission to humans will decline also." To monitor the BSE in the U.S. beef herd and to gain an idea of the risk, an enhanced BSE surveillance plan was implemented on June 1, 2004.
Panelists oppose resumption of Canada beef imports Johnson said the Japanese government appears more willing than Japanese consumers are to resume shipments of U.S. beef. Japan and the United States banned beef imports from Canada after a Canadian cow was found with mad cow disease in May 2003. He said reopening the U.S. border to live Canadian cattle would result in a "tidal wave" of Canadian cattle that, coupled with the loss of the export markets, could devastate what has been a strong U.S. cattle market over the past several months. In ...
NCBA Resolutions NCBA should encourage our government to conduct bilateral negotiations with countries that presently enjoy large trade surpluses in manufactured goods with the U.S. NCBA supports the efforts of U.S. trade officials to oppose this directive, through retaliation and appropriate actions at the World Trade Organization and supports their efforts to resolve this issue to allow U.S. beef and beef products to be imported into the EU. NCBA calls on the Administration to continue their diligent ...
NCBA looks ahead to legislative and regulatory issues Jay Truitt, executive director of Legislative Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), outlined a number of important legislative and regulatory issues during the Beef Industry Issues Forum during the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention. -BSE Oversight--Truitt said there are oversight issues from the legislative standpoint and the regulatory. -International Trade--There have been several Free Trade Agreements in recent years and Truitt said most of them have been good for ...
Meatpackers challenge older cattle ban WASHINGTON (AP)--American meatpackers challenged a ban on shipments of older Canadian cattle, arguing in federal court that it's arbitrary for the government to say those animals are at greater risk of developing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. In U.S. District Court in Washington Feb. 23, the packers' industry group said the age of cattle doesn't affect whether consumers or other livestock are at risk. The USDA has found that infection happens only if an animal eats feed containing the ...
Lyons welcomes Secretary of Agriculture; Retires as NCBA president Jan Lyons helped welcome U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to the 2005 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show held Feb. 2 to 5 in San Antonio, Texas. Lyons, a cow-calf operator from Manhattan, Kan., served a one-year term as president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and in that role represented local producers on the NCBA Board of Directors. Serving on the NCBA Executive Committee in 2005 will be Jim McAdams, Mike John, Myron WIlliams, Mike Vache, Paul...
Lincoln farm technology company is expanding GeneSeek, a biotechnology company at the University of Nebraska Technology Park, is expanding. Led by Oommen and his partner, Daniel Pomp, a UNL faculty member, GeneSeek started with 600 square feet in 1998 in the Tech Park's business incubator program. Oommen said GeneSeek has been adding some part-time help from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Southeast Community College and Nebraska Wesley University and may add some full-timers, too.
Johanns stresses the importance of trade to cattle producers In his first official address outside of Washington as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns told cattle producers how vital trade is to the success of their industry. "Now more than a year later the market for American beef remains strong," Johanns said. Science will also play an important role in reopening export markets to U.S. beef, Johanns said.
Japan's LDP endorses U.S. plan TOKYO (AP)-- Japan's ruling party Feb. 16 endorsed U.S.-proposed measures to verify that its beef exports are not contaminated by bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The move Feb. 16 by a Liberal Democratic Party panel helps move Tokyo a step closer to easing its 14-month-old import ban on American beef, which has kept U.S. beef producers locked out of what had been a US$1.7 billion market. Earlier in February, a panel of experts from the health and agriculture ministries accepted that a U.S....
Japan may have 15th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--A cow in northern Japan tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a preliminary examination Feb. 24, an official said. Preliminary tests on the Holstein cow--already dead when it was brought in from a ranch in Hokkaido prefecture (state)--turned up positive at a dairy health center in Obihiro, said Hokkadio government official Osamu Terada. On Feb. 4, Japan confirmed its first human case of BSE following the death of a man with symptoms of the illness.
Japan confirms 15th BSE case The 102-month old cow from a ranch in northern Hokkaido prefecture has tested positive for the fatal brain-wasting disease, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. The finding confirms the results from preliminary tests conducted on the animal in late February. Eating beef from a diseased cow is thought to cause the fatal human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Investigators say USDA allowed imports of questionable meat The agency's inspector general faulted agriculture officials for allowing more kinds of Canadian meat products into the United States before the judge's ruling. The agency soon began to expand the list of meat products allowed to enter the United States, adding products at the time considered to be at higher risk of spreading BSE, such as beef tongues. Despite saying they would refuse meat from Canadian slaughterhouses that made higher-risk products, agriculture officials decided to accept ...
Global pandemic Most cases of avian influenza in humans are thought to have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If an outbreak of avian influenza were to reach pandemic proportions, how would consumers react? Not just for an outbreak of avian influenza, but for other animal diseases that may hit a little closer to home.
Canadian border will not open March 7 as planned A judge granted permission to R-CALF USA to apply for a preliminary injunction March 2 on the re-opening of the Canada-U.S. border to the movement of live Canadian cattle, according to reports. The action taken by U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull was offered with no forthcoming explanation or justification, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shortly after the decision was announced. Cebull, according to the CBC report, also presided over the case during which R-...
Canadian border opening tops lists of concerns for NCBA members NCBA dispatched a team to Canada and called for an investigation by USDA on Canada's feed ban compliance. In trade team's report, the group also found that the Canadian cattle market appears to be current. Under NCBA's directive, said the rule should be modified to prevent importation of cattle and beef products from cattle more than 30 months of age.
Beef producers should track animals now, executives say KEARNEY, Neb. (AP)--Beef producers must start keeping track of their animals now, industry executives said. Marcine Moldenhauer, a supply chain manager for Excel in Wichita, Kan., said that beef producers who want a share of the Asian market when it opens up must be able to prove where their animals have been throughout their entire lives. Compared with the cost of an outbreak of BSE, Moldenhauer said, producers should welcome the estimated $3-per-head cost of an animal tracking system, ...

February 2005
Western states start tracking program SPOKANE, Wash. (AP)--Livestock producers in seven Western states have started a pilot program to track their animals from birth to death, part of a move to safeguard consumers and herds from bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The Northwest Pilot Project hopes to find workable and cost-effective tracking systems in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Utah, Nevada and Hawaii, said coordinator Julie Morrison of the Idaho Cattle Association. With the Canadian cases as a backdrop, cattlemen at...
Times of trouble for beef industry LMA launched an effort to gain power in NCBA and failed, so they turned their attention to eliminating the beef checkoff. No compromise offer came from NCBA so LMA forced a legal challenge to the beef checkoff that has now made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Individuals in the forefront: Jan Lyons, NCBA president and Monte Reese, Chief Operating Officer of the Cattlemen's Beef Board.
R-CALF raises over $50k during two sales "The support cow-calf producers have shown in R-CALF's legal endeavors to protect the U.S. cowherd and U.S. consumers from BSE should send a strong message to USDA and U.S. lawmakers that cattle producers in the United States will do everything possible to protect their industry," said Leo McDonnell, president and founder of R-CALF USA. McDonnell also spoke about trade concerns currently facing U.S. cattlemen, and USDA's efforts with Canada is just one of many trade liberalizations that are ...
R-CALF convention addresses three key issues for members When members of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America met for their annual convention in Denver, three issues dominated the discussions--BSE, COOL and Animal ID. R-CALF USA leadership strongly criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture's handling of BSE situation with Canada. During a BSE panel discussion, Tony Cox, who's firm has studied the BSE situation in Canada, criticized the terminology "low risk" used by USDA when referring to BSE cases.
R-CALF calls for industry unification to protect U.S. cattle industry and consumers In a letter sent recently from R-CALF USA President Leo McDonnell to Jan Lyons, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), McDonnell called on the entire U.S. cattle industry to work together to defeat the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Final Rule to liberalize U.S. import protections against the introduction of BSE into the U.S. from Canada. McDonnell suggested that NCBA, and all NCBA affiliates, join together with R-CALF USA, and all of its affiliates...
Oklahomans say Japan's beef ban is another reason to keep Canada's border closed Oklahoma's cattle producers are pointing to Japan's refusal to lift the beef import ban as another good reason to keep Canadian cattle out of the United States. "That is exactly why we are concerned about prematurely reopening our border with Canada," said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. Oklahoma Farm Bureau's concern about reopening the Canadian border has received support from other farm groups, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma's Congressional delegation.
New BSE case in Canada could bolster case for U.S. trade ban Authorities Jan. 11 confirmed the case of the deadly brain-wasting disease in the western province of Alberta, the second animal found to have BSE since U.S. officials announced last month they would resume the cattle trade with Canada in March. Ron DeHaven, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said the agency is confident that protections in place in Canada and the United States will safeguard U.S. consumers and livestock. ...
NCBA visits Alberta; U.S. ranchers to study Canadian BSE safeguards EDMONTON (AP)--Nine American ranchers from the largest U.S. cattlemen's group are scheduled to arrive in Alberta Jan. 17 to scrutinize Canadian safeguards against the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy as the two countries move toward normalizing the cattle trade after two recent cases of the illness. The visit by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association comes as Canadian investigators look into the country's third ever case of the brain-wasting disease. All three cases of BSE have...
NCBA: Canada is compliant, has current market A group of cattlemen representing the National Cattlemen's Beef Association reported Feb. 2 that the Canadian cattle industry appears to be in compliance with the feed ban and current in their market. Backlogs and waves of cattle coming from Canada and their effect on the market have been a concern to U.S. cattle producers. But findings by the trade team led them to conclude that the Canadian cattle industry is current, said Homer Buell, a Nebraska cattle producer.
National Beef reports first-quarter loss KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)--Continuing concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy led National Beef Packing Co. LLP, the nation's fourth-largest beef processor, to report a $4.4 million loss Jan. 13 in its latest quarter. John Miller, the company's chief executive, said an ongoing ban on the import of cattle from Canada, as well as a severe winter, was keeping processing costs up while a flood of cheaper Canadian processed beef was keeping grocery store prices down. For the three months ...
Moran encourages USDA to delay opening of Canadian border to cattle Congressman Jerry Moran, chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, recently called on the U.S Department of Agriculture to maintain restrictions on Canadian beef imports until a better understanding of the risks to America beef producers can be reached. "With the recent announcement of a third case of BSE in Canada and concerns over compliance with the feed ban, we need to make sure that the American beef industry remains strong," Moran ...
KFU convention offers variety of speakers A broad range of speakers from the Farmers Union, government and agriculture-related businesses and agencies provided a well-rounded offering of workshops and presentations on issues impacting agriculture. Rep. Josh Svaty, D-Ellsworth, and Jim Ploger with the Kansas Department of Energy gave an update on wind energy issues. Issues facing the state were addressed by Representatives Bruce Larkin, D-Baileyville, Jerry D. Williams, D-Chanute, and Dan Johnson, R-Hays; Ray Kohman, Kansas NFO ...
Kentucky to begin registering livestock after BSE scare OWENSBORO, Ky., (AP)--Agriculture officials expect to start registering all livestock farms in a state database by the end of the month in what will be Kentucky's first step in a national animal identification system designed to contain a disease outbreak. State veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout told the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association annual convention Jan. 7 that farmers soon will be able to receive an identification number for farms and other property where livestock is kept. Assigning the ...
KCA speakers represent wide range of industry Projected tonnage for FY2006 in Wal-Mart's retail stores is a total of 878 million pounds of beef and grinds, or 3.5 percent of the beef sales in the U.S. During the panel discussion portion, Stettmeier was asked how he knows for sure that foreign cattle aren't in the meat he buys for Wal-Mart, and he responded by emphasizing the Wal-Mart has specifications on its website that processors must agree to and abide by to provide meat to Wal-Mart. Stettmeier emphatically responded by saying that...
KCA meets for annual meeting in Great Bend Junek explained that the Kansas House Agricultural Committee may not hear the resolutions in committee due to political maneuvering on the part of the leaders, but that members must contact their representatives in Topeka and get KCA's issues heard. State Representative and Minority Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg, discussed the agricultural legislation coming before the Kansas Legislation in the coming year, including resolutions regarding ...
Debut fund-raiser nets almost $26,000 for R-CALF USA litigation fund Also to thank for their generosity are: Larry and Patty Nissen, of Nissen Angus in Chinook, Mont., who donated a registered heifer calf that raised $850; Jack Young, of Chinook, Mont., who donated a black steer that brought in $700; Sonny Obrecht of the Louie Petrie Ranch in Turner, Mont., who donated a black steer calf that generated $1,450; Dr. Kent Pike and Four Buttes Cattle Co. in Chinook donated a black heifer calf that was sold for $1,000; John Haldemann of the Haldemann Ranch in ...
Checkoff constitutionality, trade issues among concerns of pork producers in 2005 Even though other commodities in other states may have varying levels of preparedness, if any, in the case the checkoff is ruled unconstitutional, pork producers in Iowa will not be left completely without the services the federal program allows, since a state pork checkoff will go into effect immediately after the federal checkoff ends. How will existing opportunities afforded producers through the pork checkoff be maintained in Iowa based on the state program? The year 2004 was a rewarding...
Canadian, Japanese leaders agree to work toward early resumption of beef trade TOKYO (AP)--Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin welcomed indications from Tokyo Jan. 19 that Japan is keen to resolve concerns about the safety of Canadian beef and lift a 20-month import ban. At a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Martin said he and his Japanese counterpart spent "a lot of time" discussing Japan's ban on Canadian beef imports due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears. Koizumi told Martin that Japan wished to have safe beef like any ...
Canadian cows traced to U.S. WASHINGTON (AP)--Government officials are now tracing six cows shipped into the U.S. from the same Canadian herd as an animal with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Ed Loyd said Jan. 19 that the agency is tracking their movements. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman reiterated Jan. 19 that the decision to lift the ban is on track.
BSE-like prions discovered in mice livers While the discovery raises the possibility that similar proteins could move into unanticipated parts of farm animals that have similar diseases, it isn't a reason for alarm, says researcher Adriano Aguzzi of the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. Sick animals such as sheep and cows shouldn't enter the human food chain, Aguzzi, the lead researcher in the study, said in a telephone interview. Rogue proteins called prions are blamed for several brain-wasting diseases, including BSE, ...
Just a Scoop Full I called a cattle auction in Saskawtchen Canada to get a Canadian's opinion. He said before the BSE problems the U.S. was only killing 6 percent Canadian cattle. He felt the packers were getting very wealthy over this BSE problem as fat cattle in Canada would be worth $68 or $69 per hundredweight in U.S. money compared to $90 per hundredweight here.
U.S. won't take meat from older cattle The United States had been planning on that date to reopen the border for import of meat from animals of any age and import of live cattle younger than 30 months. Lawmakers and Johanns himself questioned whether it would have been contradictory to allow meat, but not live cattle, from older animals, which are considered more vulnerable to BSE. Johanns said he remained confident that resuming trade in live cattle would not harm U.S. consumers and livestock.
USDA decision to delay Canadian beef products from older cattle ignores fundamental flaws with rule What remains of USDA's Final Rule will still cause problems for U.S. consumers and the U.S. cattle industry by allowing Canadian cattle and beef to enter the United States. "USDA's decision will continue to pose health risks to U.S. consumers and the U.S. cattle herd, as well as significant financial risks to U.S. cattle producers," said Bullard. "This Final Rule will subject U.S. consumers to an increased BSE risk for the first time in history because it will allow into the United States ...
U.S. cattle producers support efforts to repeal Canadian border rule Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) led the charge, and others as well stepped forward to protect both the U.S. cattle herd and U.S. consumers from the introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) into the United States. "Neither U.S. cattle producers, nor U.S. consumers, should be excluded from protections afforded by the more rigorous science-based BSE standards recognized throughout the world as necessary to effectively manage the human health and animal health ...
Rupert sheep found with brain-wasting disease RUPERT, Idaho (AP)--A case of the brain-wasting disease, scrapie, was found in a Rupert, Idaho sheep flock, but officials are controlling the disease through slaughter tracebacks and quarantine, said Idaho state veterinarian, Clarence Siroky. The disease was found in an ewe in mid-December and the flock was quarantined upon further testing. Meat from slaughtered sheep is not allowed into the food chain until the animal's brain is examined and found to be uninfected.
R-CALF asks judge to block feds BILLINGS, Montana (AP)--Citing a risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a cattlemen's organization asked a judge Feb. 2 to block the federal government from allowing imports of live cattle and an expanded range of beef products from Canada. R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America argued that the U.S. meat supply will be regarded as suspect if it becomes mixed with beef cuts from Canada, where two cases of BSE were confirmed in January. After Canada reported its first case of mad cow disease ...
Nebraska Cattlemen: Checkoff bill advances LB 150, which would provide for the continuation of the beef checkoff program in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the national program, advanced Feb. 16 in the Legislature to Select File. LB 150 allows for producers to request a refund of the dollar if they choose not to participate in the beef demand building programs of the beef checkoff. The beef checkoff currently is an industry self help program which USDA oversees that is paid for by beef producers and organized by beef...
Nebraska Beef Council--strengthening demand for beef And throughout its 133-year history, the Rhea family has produced beef cattle. In his new role, he hopes to help maintain the diversity of beef checkoff investments directed by the Beef Council. Rhea joined his father in Rhea Cattle Company, a 6,000-head capacity feedlot located near Arlington.
MFU holds sixth annual convention The convention location provided a unique look at the creative spirit of Missouri and celebrated the commitment of MFU to rural communities. Gateway Beef Cooperative, a Missouri Farmers Union project collectively owned by farmers in Missouri and Illinois, has not been allowed to proceed with plans to export beef to Japanese markets due to the decision by USDA to not allow 100 percent BSE testing of animals. In other calls to action related to quality of life issues, MFU delegates voted to ...
Long joins colleagues in court filing on Canadian cattle The filing supports a request by Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) for a temporary order preventing the border reopening. Long's office helped write part of the brief describing the situation of cattle ranchers in South Dakota. The United States closed its border to Canadian cattle and beef after the first case of BSE there was discovered in May 2003.
KS LMA opposes importing Canadian beef while border closed The Kansas Livestock Marketing Association, meeting in Lawrence, Kan., Jan. 30, called for halting the importation of all Canadian beef and other meat products while the U.S. border remains closed to Canadian live cattle imports. Dennis Rezac, St. Marys, Kan., the new president of the Kansas LMA, questioned why the U.S. continues to import Canadian beef and meat products while the border remains closed to Canadian cattle. "The Kansas Livestock Marketing Association therefore urges the ...
Johanns questions imports of meat from older Canadian cows WASHINGTON (AP)--New Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said Feb. 3 that he is reviewing the continuing U.S. ban of older Canadian cattle, which are more susceptible to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, while allowing imported meat from animals of any age. The U.S. plans to resume imports of Canadian cattle less than 30 months old beginning March 7. Recently, meatpackers asked a federal judge for an injunction to resume imports of older cattle, saying the ban has cost their industry more ...
Japanese panel clears A40 beef TOKYO (AP)--Japan moved a step closer to partially lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports after a government panel Feb. 8 accepted U.S. assurances that a specific grade of U.S. beef would be free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The panel's decision, if accepted by the government, will clear the way for Japan to begin importing U.S. grade A40 beef, which comes primarily from cattle aged 12 to 17 months. Before the ban, Japan was the most lucrative overseas market for U.S. beef producers, ...
Issues forum focuses on beef safety advances highlighted Ongoing beef safety research is funded by America's Beef Producers through the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff Program. It is coordinated on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, which serves as one of the Beef Board's contractors for checkoff-funded programs. Recent strides in reducing E. coli O157 in beef carcasses are also among the ongoing checkoff-funded research efforts highlighted in Building Demand through Research, the ...
Hog prices to remain stable in 2005, MU economist says Domestic diet trends and increased exports sent U.S. hog prices 35 percent higher in 2004 than the year before, and prices are likely to remain near the highest levels in 2005, a University of Missouri economist said. About one-fifth of the price increase was attributed to increased pork exports. "If it remains in place, it's likely to reduce the flow of Canadian live hogs, especially slaughter hogs, to the U.S., but increase the flow of Canadian pork, which isn't subject to the tariff.
Cattle dispute heightens as date for open border nears The U.S. closed its border with Canada to live cattle imports in May 2003 after BSE was discovered in a dairy cow in Alberta. Before the border closure, most surplus Canadian dairy animals and older beef animals were slaughtered in the U.S. because there are so few slaughter plants in Canada that can handle larger animals older than 30 months. In December, Cuba reopened its border, which had been closed to Canadian beef in the wake of the U.S. cattle ban.
Beef import ruling may equalize trade OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--Not allowing beef from older cattle to cross the border from Canada will prevent the meat market from crashing and will help equalize trade rules, officials said. Because of large supply, Canadian cattle go for less than half of U.S. beef prices, said Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen's Association. Had older Canadian cattle been allowed to cross the border, the U.S. meat market would have seen prices drop dramatically, he said.
Beef Board releases fiscal 2004 annual report Beef producers invested checkoff dollars into promotion, education, research and information programs aimed at extending the upward trend in consumer demand for beef during the last year. These programs are outlined in the 2004 annual report of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, released this week at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio. "Amid some big challenges for the beef industry in 2004, we kept our focus on building consumer demand for beef through a variety of programs ...
Just a Scoop Full (Feb. 16)--Most of the attention in the cattle business is focused on the arrival of Canadian cattle on March 7. It has been like a cloud held over our head for the past several weeks. With cattle born in January and fat as late as September, they would be 20 months old. He said Canada is very current as far as fat cattle and feeder cattle.
When to ring alarm bell on BSE? Sen. Jim Isgar, a cattleman from tiny Hesperus, has introduced a bill that would allow the agriculture commissioner to keep secret records of surveillance and investigations into disease outbreaks in the cattle industry unless a quarantine has been issued or the investigation is over. He said premature disclosure of an investigation could devastate Colorado's $2.7 billion cattle industry. Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament said the measure (Senate Bill 24) puts in writing a policy ...
Japan moves closer to lifting ban on U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Japan moved a step closer to partially lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports after a government panel Feb. 8 accepted U.S. assurances that a specific grade of U.S. beef would be free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The panel's decision, if accepted by the government, will clear the way for Japan to begin importing U.S. grade A40 beef, which comes primarily from cattle aged 12 to 17 months. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker said he was pleased the panel agreed that using the ...
Crossing the fiction line So where does a fictional program fall when it addresses real-life issues? "Boston Legal" is not the only show to take on real-life agricultural issues on a fictional television series. The "Boston Legal" writers had the perfect opportunity to challenge some of the misperceptions of BSE with real fact, clobbering the opposition.
Sens. Enzi, Thomas support COOL bill Mike Enzi, R-WY, and Tim Johnson, D-SD, introduced legislation that would prohibit the importation of live cattle from Canada until meat is labeled by country of origin. Country-of-origin labeling is scheduled to begin by September 2006, but in announcing the legislation Jan. 24, Enzi and Johnson said recent cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy among Canadian cattle made the issue more pressing. Johnson said country-of-origin labeling "lets consumers make an informed choice about the ...
R-CALF files motion for preliminary injunction in border dispute On Feb. 1, R-CALF USA filed a motion requesting a Preliminary Injunction in its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) concerning the agency's Final Rule to reopen the Canadian border to live cattle and additional beef products March 7, 2005. "The lawsuit we filed on January 10, requested the court to overturn USDA's Final Rule, but with March 7 rapidly approaching, it was imperative that R-CALF seek a Preliminary Injunction asking the court to block USDA from implementing...
Pumpkin Center man turns to raising goats instead of cattle PUMPKIN CENTER, Okla. (AP)--Goat is more widely consumed than any other meat in the world and one Comanche County resident believes Americans are missing a bet by not raising more or it. The Pumpkin Center man has raised goats off and on for the last 25 years, but in the last couple of years the meat goat has attracted his interest. "They're a highly muscled, strictly a meat-type goat," Coody said, adding that the Savanna has the distinction of having the highest nutritional quality in ...
Producer support for beef checkoff hits 10-year high Producer support for the $1-per-head beef checkoff program is at a 10-year high, with 73 percent of beef producers voicing approval of the Beef Checkoff Program in a January 2005 survey. "Eighty percent of producers said they believe the beef checkoff had helped contribute to the positive trend in beef demand, 80 percent believe that the checkoff has value even when the cattle market is down, and 74 percent said they think the checkoff is a good value for the money invested." Forty-one ...
New ag secretary begins tenure with review of Canada cattle trade WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns began his new job Jan. 24 caught in a dispute between meatpackers and some ranchers over reopening U.S. borders to cattle from Canada. Johanns told reporters that in the aftermath of a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy discovered in Canada on Jan. 11, U.S. inspectors were traveling there Jan. 24 to investigate that country's compliance with its 1997 ban on putting cattle remains in feed. A cattlemen's group filed a ...
NE Cattlemen beef concerns addressed LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)--After considering input from producers at four recent meetings across the state, the Nebraska Cattlemen Board has developed actions to address six primary concerns related to the plan to resume live cattle imports from Canada. --Clear evidence of Canadian compliance with a rule that bans feeding animal protein from cattle and other ruminant animals to live cattle. --Reopening of the Canadian border to U.S. feeder cattle bound for feed yards in Canada.
NCBA ties border reopening to unresolved trade issues 1. Prohibit the importation of cattle and beef products from cattle more than 30 months of age. 10. USDA must work with our primary trading partners to ensure that expanded export access for U.S. beef is not in any way jeopardized by expanded importation of cattle and beef from Canada. Also, new policy calls on NCBA to defeat efforts to label beef and beef products as "North American Beef" or any similar language that has the intent of grouping other country's beef with that from the United ...
Nation's cattlemen rebuilding herds WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--Despite a bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare, the nation's cattlemen ended the longest liquidation in history and began rebuilding their herds last year, according to figures released Jan. 28 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. That is 1 percent over last year's count of 94.9 million cattle in what had been the smallest cattle inventory on record since 1959. Texas retained its undisputed standing as the nation's biggest cattle state with 13.8 million ...
Johanns outlines president's FY 2006 ag budget The increase from 2004 to 2005 is largely due to higher Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) outlays for commodity programs (+$13 billion) and domestic nutrition assistance (+$7 billion). The 2006 budget proposes $19.4 billion in budget authority for discretionary programs--down about $2.6 billion from 2005. The budget includes resources to fully fund estimated Food Stamp participation and also provides a $3 billion contingency fund should actual costs exceed the estimated level.
Japan announces first vCJD case, death Health Ministry officials and experts from a ministry panel on the disease were holding an emergency meeting to determine whether the man had contracted the disease by eating infected beef. But the Health Ministry stressed in a statement that, under normal circumstances, the disease is not transmitted between humans, and there was little worry of secondary infections. A fatal human form of the disease is believed to come from eating beef products from infected cows, especially tissue close ...
Experts say food producers looking at alternative methods GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP)--Headlines about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, mixed with consumers' desire to lead healthier lives has pushed more Nebraskan food producers to consider using alternative and sustainable methods, agriculture experts said. The conference this weekend was expected to draw about 200 people, among them food producers, consumers and local producers of alternative crops. The goal is to have these groups make connections to improve opportunities for providing sustainable...
Cattlemen develop plan on Canadian imports LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)--After considering input from producers at four recent meetings across the state, the Nebraska Cattlemen Board has developed actions to address six primary concerns related to the plan to resume live cattle imports from Canada. --Clear evidence of Canadian compliance with a rule that bans feeding animal protein from cattle and other ruminant animals to live cattle. --Reopening of the Canadian border to U.S. feeder cattle bound for feed yards in Canada.
Canada proposes new science-based import regulations The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on Jan. 31 announced proposed regulations to remove import restrictions from a range of currently prohibited U.S. commodities. The proposed regulations will further align Canada's BSE-specific policy for imports from the United States with science-based international guidelines for safe trade, which are designed to protect public and animal health. With respect to bluetongue and anaplasmosis, the proposed regulations will allow for year-round access...
Beef demand climbs nearly 8 percent in 2004 Consumer demand for beef jumped sharply in 2004, with the Beef Demand Index climbing 7.74 percent compared to 2003 and more than 25 percent since reversing its 20-year decline in 1998, Cattlemen's Beef Board Chairman Nelson Curry announced at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention. "With this continued strength, we have far exceeded the goal of the beef industry's Long Range Plan to increase demand by 6 percent between 2000 and year-end 2004, with demand during that period up an astonishing ...

January 2005
Veterinarian: Feed ban should stop BSE In 1997, both countries banned using cattle remains in cattle feed, which is considered the primary way BSE is spread. R-CALF and some other farm groups oppose the Bush administration's proposal to reopen the U.S. border to live Canadian cattle and to processed beef from Canadian cattle of all ages. Holland said he thinks the Canadian ban is working because no young cattle have been found with BSE.
USDA urged to delay opening U.S. border to Canadian cattle Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach said recently he is asking incoming Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to delay opening America's borders to Canadian cattle and beef products until a thorough assessment of that country's enforcement of cattle feed laws is complete. "The latest Canadian cow diagnosed with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) was born seven months after the feed ban went in to effect and the cattleman who owned the cow said he purchased the feed supplement ...
USDA ignores concerns of U.S. cattle producers; R-CALF files second suit against agency R-CALF USA has kept its promise to independent cattle producers to take the necessary steps to protect both the health and safety of the U.S. cattle herd and U.S. and international consumers from actions by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to relax U.S. import restrictions for countries known to be affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). "This Final Rule will expose U.S. consumers to increased risk of a fatal disease associated with BSE-contaminated meat, and ...
U.S. beef producers keeping consumers satisfied "Consumer demand is the number-one driving force in the U.S. beef market," said Scott Brown, with MU Food and Policy Research Institute (FAPRI.) Brown pointed out that trade with Mexico under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) has been beneficial to U.S. producers. "Remember, they have taken over a half-billion pounds of our beef that we could not export to Japan." "Japan has taken a very strict stand on their import requirements, but Japanese consumers do want our beef," Brown said...
State takes added measures to reduce risk of BSE The Colorado Department of Agriculture will take random samples, using feed microscopy to specifically screen them for ruminant materials. In Colorado, the Feed Program ensures quality, safety and efficacy of commercial feed, as well as integrity in the marketplace, through the enforcement of the Colorado Commercial Feed law. State inspectors conduct random and directed feed sampling as well as product label reviews at all stages of feed manufacturing and sales in Colorado.
Stallman talks about BSE, other issues at AFBF meeting The U.S. Department of Agricultre must use sound science when considering beef imports from Canada, which, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, "sends a strong signal to the public and sets a positive example for our trading partners." Stallman, during a news conference to open AFBF's 86th annual meeting, also said Congress should conduct oversight investigations on Canadian imports. Speaking about Trade Promotion Authority, Stallman said AFBF will actively ...
Some Canadian officials considering cattle cull to thwart BSE TORONTO (AP)--Some Canadian cattlemen and the Premier of the western Canadian province of Alberta are considering a cull of older cattle to restore international confidence in Canadian beef after two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been found in recent weeks. Stan Eby of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association says a cull would send a strong message to Canada's trading partners, especially the United States, where protectionist interests are fighting plans to reopen the border to...
R-CALF USA asks "where's the science?" In reviewing the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Final Rule to re-introduce Canadian cattle and beef into the U.S., R-CALF USA uncovered a science-policy paradox. "Under USDA's Final Rule, U.S. beef going to Canada will be subject to greater restrictions than Canadian beef coming to the United States," said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. "The U.S. has been testing for BSE since 1990, and under its Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program has tested about 200,000 cattle in the U.S...
Polk County cattleman elected to lead state organization He served as Southwest Regional vice president and first and second vice presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association prior to being elected president. Serving with Hardecke will be David Moore, Bismarck, first vice president; Merrel Breyer, Richland, second vice president; Paul Gibbs, Boonville, secretary/treasurer; and four elected regional vice presidents: Carl Elliott, Holden--Northwest; Jimmie Long, Cole Camp--Southwest; David Geier, California--Southeast; and Aaron Baker, Atlanta...
Osborne: Ranchers don't appear to favor opening Canada border GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP)--Many ranchers in cattle-rich western Nebraska concerned about bovine spongiform encephalopathy do not appear to favor opening the U.S. border to Canadian cattle, Rep. Tom Osborne, R-NE, said. The border with Canada has been closed to live cattle since May 2003 after a dairy cow there tested positive for BSE. Federal agriculture officials have argued that reopening Japan to U.S. beef exports will be easier once the United States opens its border with Canada, Osborne ...
LMA urges Bush to reconsider reopening border to Canadian cattle Given recent events in Canada--finding the second Canadian "mad cow" in 20 months--resuming cattle trade with Canada now would be "premature and put at risk the health" of the U.S. herd and "diminish consumer confidence in our domestic meat supply," LMA President Randy Patterson said in letters to President George W. Bush and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. LMA is also concerned about how the eventual border reopening will impact the U.S. cattle market, Patterson said. "...
KFB delegates key in policy debate Kansas Farm Bureau delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C. were instrumental in the adoption of public policy resolutions aimed at shoring up consumer confidence in beef and in protecting producers' bottom lines. In addition to Baccus, other delegates representing the KFB membership were KFB vice-president, Edie Dahlsten, McPherson County; Linda Franklin, Sherman County; Jim Dooley, Jewell County; Phil Habiger, Lane County; Robert Herl, Gove ...
Gov. Sebelius urges Johanns to address beef industry issues Governor Kathleen Sebelius, in a recent letter to newly designated Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, expressed her desire to see the American beef industry rebound from recent setbacks and offered to work with the Secretary-Designate in that effort. The letter dealt specifically with the need to balance live cattle imports from Canada with beef exports to Japan and the effect disrupted imports and exports have had on livestock producers and beef processors. "To ensure a long-term ...
Dr. Becky Brewer-Walker named state veterinarian Dr. Becky Brewer-Walker has been selected as state veterinarian and director of the Animal Industry Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Brewer's appointment to the post came just over five weeks after Dr. Burke Healey resigned the position to take over as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) for Oklahoma. "Dr. Brewer is a natural fit for this position with her great rapport with the industry and outstanding ...
Cow from diseased Canadian animal's herd traced to U.S. WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. government officials were trying to trace a cow shipped to the United States from the same Canadian herd as an animal infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, yet officials said it was unlikely the imported cow had been infected. "USDA believes it is extremely unlikely that this imported cow would have been infected," said Ron DeHaven, administrator for the agency's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In May 2003, when the first Canadian cow tested ...
Consumers should see cheaper beef prices with opening of Canadian Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture lifted a ban on importing live Canadian cattle younger than 30 months and loosened restrictions on importing boxed beef, starting in March. The May 2003 decision to close the border to cattle imports from Canada came when the U.S. cattle inventory was already at a historically low level. Essentially, a bigger cattle supply means lower beef prices for consumers and lower sale prices for cattle producers.
Colorado cattle producers kick off 2005 with fund-raiser for litigation Nearly $7,000 was contributed to R-CALF USA's Litigation Fund during the first benefit calf sale at Ranchland Livestock in Wray, Colo., on Jan. 17. Dave Walter owns the auction market. "It is amazing to see the amount of support for R-CALF out in the country and for the issues we take on," said Chase Carter, R-CALF USA field coordinator. R-CALF USA also appreciates Walter's hospitality for hosting this fund-raiser.
CFIA: Nine Herdmates Negative for BSE The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Jan. 21 in a release that nine animals born on the same farm within a year of the infected Alberta dairy cow have tested negative for BSE. Officials said no part of the animal has entered the human food or animal feed systems. Nevertheless, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration will conduct a review of Canada's feed controls next week.
Cattle producers can prepare for reopening of Japanese market It's not clear when that market might reopen, but K-State Research and Extension beef specialist Dale Blasi said that producers can take a proactive approach starting with this spring's calving season in readying their animals--and their records--for the Japanese market. Calves born in the first half of the calving season can be tagged with a different colored tag than those born in the latter half of the season. As the 2005 spring calving season draws closer, cow/calf producers intent on ...
Carlson hedging on support of cattle trade with Canada OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--Word of a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada has the state's top agriculture official hedging on his support of the federal government's decision to import Canadian beef starting in March. In early January he continued to back the decision to open the nation's borders to Canadian cattle, even as confirmation came of a second BSE case in Canada. Carlson said he backs the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to send a group to Canada to evaluate the ...
Canada concludes investigation into Jan. 2 BSE case The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Jan. 21 announced the conclusion of its investigation into the case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) detected on Jan. 2. Nine animals from the birth cohort have tested negative for BSE. Test results on 33 of the birth cohort animals have been received and all were negative for BSE.
Washington ranchers concerned about decision to import Canadian beef The United States banned Canadian cattle and beef imports in May 2003 after Canadian officials discovered a case of the disease--a fatal brain-wasting illness. The ban on Canadian beef was later lifted, and the Bush administration announced last week that in March it would begin letting in live Canadian cattle under 30 months old--a decision that came just days before Canadian officials confirmed that BSE had been found in a dairy cow from Alberta. Wishon said the U.S. beef industry has ...
U.S. reaffirms support for lifting ban on Canadian beef TORONTO (AP)--U.S. agriculture officials reaffirmed their support for lifting the ban on Canadian beef despite the discovery of a second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada, expressing confidence that public health measures will protect American livestock and consumers. Canadian officials say the United States was aware of the suspected case when they made their suspicions known Dec. 29, the same day the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was planning to reopen the border ...
Stockgrowers invite all to area meetings in Kadoka, Bison The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association hopes local cattle producers will join them to discuss the latest cattle industry issues at upcoming area meetings. According to South Dakota Stockgrowers Association vice president and membership chairman, Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will hold area meetings in Kadoka at Club 27, Jan. 10, and Bison at the Prairie Lounge, Jan. 17. Additionally, Fox looks forward to updating folks about the South Dakota ...
Stockgrowers commend SD delegation for stance on border The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association appreciates the opposition that South Dakota's congresswoman and senators have voiced regarding USDA's rule to further relax border restrictions on Canadian beef and live cattle. "The Stockgrowers don't support re-opening the border to Canadian cattle and additional Canadian beef until we are confident that Canada's surveillance and prevention strategies are sufficient to ensure that they have eliminated BSE in their cow herd," said South Dakota ...
State officials: Hold off on Canadian cattle imports HELENA, Mont. (AP)--Montana agriculture and livestock officials told cattle producers Jan. 14 that the United States should wait before allowing live cattle imports from Canada, where two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy were found recently. Agriculture Director Nancy K. Peterson and Marc Bridges of the Montana Board of Livestock added their voices to the concerns raised earlier about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's plan. Last month, the USDA announced plans to allow imports ...
Senate questions ag nominee on BSE WASHINGTON (AP)--Senate Democrats on Jan. 6 asked Secretary of Agriculture nominee Mike Johanns to reconsider the Bush administration's recent decision to open U.S. borders to Canadian cattle despite a fresh case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Alberta. "I am far from convinced that Canada is effectively enforcing its own regulations," Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, told Johanns at a hearing by the Senate Agriculture Committee on his nomination. The agriculture job is "one of the most ...
Roberts calls for resumption of beef trade to lead agenda in all U.S. discussions with Japan U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, on Jan. 6 said that the resumption of beef trade with Japan should be included in every trade and foreign policy discussion that occurs between United States and Japanese government officials. During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the nomination of Michael Johanns to be Secretary of Agriculture, Senator Roberts urged members of the Committee to join him in sending a letter to ...
Registration deadline approaching for 2005 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show For cattle producers and others attending the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, early registration ends Jan. 7. For those missing the Jan. 7 deadline, on-site registration will resume at noon Feb. 1. Events will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from Feb. 2 to 5. The theme for the Convention and Trade Show is "Riding Point for the Industry." More than 6,000 cattle industry participants are expected at the annual Convention and Trade Show, ...
R-CALF: USDA administrator grossly misleads congress, public For this reason, Canada does not meet the OIE specifications for a BSE minimal-risk country; therefore, DeHaven has grossly misrepresented Canada's eligibility to be considered a minimal-risk country under OIE guidelines. "The fact is Canada lost its ability to be considered a BSE minimal-risk country under OIE standards following its detection of a BSE-infected cow in May 2003, and the best disease classification that Canada can presently meet under OIE guidelines is as a BSE moderate-risk ...
R-CALF: Canadian feed ban insufficient to protect U.S. consumers "Instead, Canada rendered the BSE-infected cow and processed it into animal feeds, and according to USDA, those feeds were distributed to as many as 1,800 sites where some of it possibly was consumed by Canadian cattle But according to documents from the Canadian government, almost 2,000 head of Canadian cattle from 10 sites were exposed to the BSE-contaminated feed. "And the only Canadian cattle currently being tested for BSE are from high-risk populations or those that exhibit symptoms of ...
NFU repeats call to keep border closed to Canadian cattle Following the Jan. 2 Canadian Food Inspection Agency notice that a third Canadian cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson issued the following statement. "The announcement from Canada that yet another animal was discovered to be BSE-positive should serve as a notice to U.S. Agriculture Department officials to withdraw their plan to reopen the border for live cattle trade with Canada, not a notice to speed up the ...
Nebraska farm groups react to Johanns' confirmation (AP)--The Nebraska Cattlemen organization was enthused Jan. 6, but the Nebraska Farmers Union was not as a Senate committee questioned Gov. Mike Johanns and then approved his nomination as U.S. agriculture secretary. "I don't think he could have done better for himself, for Nebraska or for agriculture," Cattlemen spokesman Mike Fitzgerald said after Johanns' hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee. The president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, John Hansen, said President Bush's ...
NCBA team heads north to investigate Canadian feed ban compliance The nine-member team, representing the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, arrived at their destination Jan. 18 to begin observing different components of the Canadian cattle industry, among them being compliance to the ban of specified risk material in ruminant feeding by the nation's producers, according to an NCBA news release. Jan Lyons, NCBA president, announced Jan. 11 the organization's demands for a U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration investigation of ...
Lawmakers urge Japan to re-open beef trade with U.S. during confirmation hearing During the Jan. 6 nomination hearing for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, members of the Senate Agriculture Committee urged nominee Gov. Mike Johanns and the American public about the importance of the Japanese export market to the U.S. beef industry. "Re-opening the Japanese market to U.S. beef should be a top priority for every cabinet department," stated Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. In 2003, Japan was the largest export market for U.S. beef and...
Johanns to face BSE questions WASHINGTON (AP)--Secretary of Agriculture nominee Mike Johanns will draw sharp questions from Midwestern lawmakers about the U.S. decision to reopen its borders to Canadian beef despite a second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Alberta. U.S. beef exports are expected to grow by 35 percent this year, but that's still significantly below historical levels, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite warning the nominee to expect tough questions, senators said they ...
Industry leaders concerned about USDA plans BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Cattle producers and industry leaders in the region said Jan. 3 that the federal government is moving too quickly in allowing cattle and expanded beef product imports from Canada, where another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was recently discovered. The United States banned such things as Canadian cattle, beef and beef products after Canada reported a case of BSE, in May 2003. A USDA spokesman said the new case of BSE won't affect the plans for March to allow...
Herseth says border should remain closed to Canadian cattle "If the borders reopen with these uncertainties, American cattle producers will be battered by increased imports, lost markets and diminished consumer confidence," said Herseth, D-SD. U.S. beef was banned in Japan and more than three dozen other countries in December 2003 after a Canadian-born dairy cow in Washington state tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, commonly called mad cow disease. Herseth, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, wrote Agriculture ...
Group drops plan to seek exemption to Canadian cow ban It's because U.S. officials said they're standing by a decision to renew Canadian beef imports in March despite the discovery of the infected dairy cow in late December. Alaska beef and dairy farmers had been looking for a temporary way to replenish their dwindling stocks with a few hundred Canadian cattle. Some farm groups outside Alaska are wary of resuming trade after Canadian officials said Jan. 2 that an 8-year-old dairy cow in Alberta tested positive for the brain-wasting disease.
Gabriel says BSE case could hurt world trade prospects Exports of U.S. beef to Japan and several other countries ended after BSE was found in Washington in December 2003. "As a beef producer, I am not concerned about BSE affecting our cattle in South Dakota. Gabriel said lifting the ban on Canadian cattle at the same time the U.S. starts exporting beef to Japan and other countries would help safeguard markets at home.
Despite new case of BSE, Nebraska ready for Canadian trade OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--The state's cattle industry and regulators support reopening the nation's borders to Canadian cattle, despite a newly reported case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in that country. Canadian cattle imports will be allowed starting in March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in late December. This latest case should have no bearing on the decision to reopen trade with Canada, said Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of Nebraska Cattlemen.
Corn growers urges slower, more cautious resumption of Canadian beef imports In response to the recent confirmation of a third case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada, Keith Bolin, president of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), as well as a corn and livestock producer from Manlius, Ill., stated, "We believe at ACGA in the viability of a United States cattle industry, and that our fellow farmers and ranchers in the cattle business are at a greater risk, due to the Bush administration's desire to prematurely reopen the Canadian-U.S. border for the...
Cattle producers invited to trade issues meetings All cattle producers are invited to attend upcoming meetings to share their questions and comments about cattle and beef trade issues. While producers agree production and trade need to be science-based for all countries, questions have been raised about cattle prices here if Canadian cattle and additional beef are imported to the U.S. but U.S. exports to Japan remained closed. The trade issues meetings will be hosted by the Nebraska Cattlemen, but all producers are invited and encouraged to ...
Cattleman calls on fellow producers to voice opinions As an owner of a livestock marketing center, I'm involved in various aspects of the cattle industry from cow-calf operations to feedlots. As cattle producers of American beef we do not understand why the U.S.Department of Agriculture spends millions of dollars for inspectors to make our product the safest food in the world, and then make the decision to open up the Canadian border with infected cattle. We agree out here in America that opening the Canadian border on cattle will not only ...
BSE scare boosted Mexican beef Usabiaga said at a press conference that Mexican beef producers had invested heavily and are now matching the quality and efficiency of those to the north, managing to fill the supply gap created since import of U.S. beef was first barred in 2003. U.S. beef was first barred by Mexican officials in December 2003 after the discovery of a Washington state animal with BSE. Mexican producers already had been shifting toward U.S.-style packaging common in supermarkets, away from the old practice ...
BSE case poses no public health threat, Canadian minister says "Canada has a strong regulatory regime in place to protect against the spread of BSE," Minister Andrew Mitchell said. "From a public health perspective, this finding does not threaten the safety of Canadian beef." Despite learning of the case, the Bush administration said that it would stand by its decision to renew Canadian cattle imports in March, citing a World Health Organization study that even if 11 cases of BSE were discovered in the 5.5 million head Canadian cattle herd every year, ...
Ag secretary gives state of Kansas agriculture report to legislative committees Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Adrian Polansky Jan. 12 gave his state of Kansas agriculture report to the House and Senate agriculture committees. In the last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new initiatives to strengthen protections against BSE, many of which did not impact the Kansas Department of Agriculture. --Making funding for Kansas' premises identification program through the Kansas Animal Health Department a priority.
AFBF backs farm program, science-based trade decisions With another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected in Canada, delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting expressed concern about the process of reopening U.S. borders to beef imports. On the issue of national farm policy, the delegates' message was clear: Stay the course. In other convention news, three new state Farm Bureau presidents were elected to the AFBF board of directors: Kevin Rogers, Arizona, representing the Western Region; and Alex Dowse, ...
2005 domestic, global cattle, beef trades will be volatile rid While BSE itself will affect the market, the status of the U.S.-Canada border will factor differently into futures contract trading moving further into 2005, until the situation is resolved. Further, the proposed deal to restore beef trade between the U.S. and Japan, according to Levitt, provides for the two-way trade of beef between the nations. Ultimately, while these factors could weigh heavily upon the Japanese situation, Price said, even though the Canadian border issue is "separate and...
Unexpected results In the U.S., we have increased our surveillance during the highest risk time--six to seven years after the feed ban. This, in combination with a report by the Canadian government that Canadian feed samples continue to test positive for animal protein is also a problem. For the U.S. to continue with the proposed rule to allow shipment of cattle from Canada, the U.S. must be confident that the safeguards Canada has in place are being followed.
Ranchers raise concerns about confidentiality of animal ID system YAKIMA, Wash. (AP)--If federal officials learned anything after the nation's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in a Washington state dairy cow, it was that they must speed up efforts to create a national animal identification system. The goal of the animal identification system is to ensure that a diseased animal or tainted meat can be traced within 48 hours in the event of a disease outbreak. "The animal identification system is just a tool to help us more ...
R-CALF: USDA rule to relax BSE safeguards unacceptable "USDA's failure to address in its Final Rule many legitimate and scientific public-health concerns and risk analysis concerns raised by U.S. cattle producers and U.S. consumers is unacceptable," said Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA CEO. "USDA continues to rely on a risk assessment that doesn't even claim to address the risk to human health of BSE-infected cattle or BSE-tainted meat entering the U.S. from Canada," McDonnell explained. "Rather than acknowledge the seriousness of Canada's BSE problem,...
One year after BSE, ranchers rejoice in consumer confidence SUNNYSIDE, Wash. (AP)--Sergio Madrigal watched in despair as federal officials hauled away his 449 calves to be killed after the nation's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in a nearby dairy cow. More than 60 countries closed their borders to U.S. beef products--everything from live cattle and cuts of beef to pet food and frozen potatoes prefried in beef fat. Federal authorities killed more than 700 cattle in three states as a precaution, including Madrigal's ...
OFB calls for USDA to reconsider Canada cattle plan "It is ironic that the USDA's announcement to reopen the market came within days of a confirmed case of BSE in Canadian cattle," said Steve Kouplen, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The March 7 opening date would not only jeopardize the safety of the American food supply but paint a bull's eye on U.S. cattle markets at a time Oklahoma producers will be sending as many as 5 million stockers from winter wheat pastures to the market. Oklahoma Farmers Union and Farm Bureau represent more than a...
NWSS gears up amid high cattle prices, lingering BSE issues DENVER (AP)--Cattle prices and demand for beef remain strong, but the latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada has raised questions about fallout for the U.S industry on the eve of the nation's premier livestock show. And even those who think Canadian beef is safe worry that Japan's continuing ban on American beef will undermine the industry's recent gains. He called the timing unfortunate because cattle prices are good and Japan is reconsidering its U.S. beef ban.
NCBA calls for feed ban probe; R-CALF doubts border opening "In light of the recent findings of BSE in Canadian cattle, and the fact that this last animal was born after Canada's feed ban, we demand that USDA and the Food and Drug Administration investigate Canada's feed ban compliance," Jan Lyons, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president said in a Jan. 11 statement. Lyons stopped short of calling for the continued complete ban of live cattle's passage from Canada to the U.S., provided the USDA rule allowing this trade can go into effect with ...
KLA calls on President Bush to settle beef dispute with Japan KLA members are among many industry stakeholders expressing concern about the economic impact of resuming cattle trade with Canada before Japan opens its borders to U.S. beef exports. Cattle-Fax, a market analysis and research firm based in Denver, calculates beef exports to Japan alone have been worth about $5 per hundredweight or $65 per head on U.S. fed cattle. In addition to recommending the synchronization of agreements allowing Canadian cattle imports and U.S. beef exports to Japan, ...
Don't play with fire , I heard a bovine spongiform encephalopathy expert, Dr. John Maas, say, "it is not time to re-open our border to live cattle." It is his professional opinion that, "we should keep that border closed to live cattle until Canada has had no further BSE cases for seven years. I may not be smart enough to understand or predict the long-term economic implications of keeping the border closed to live animals, but I have a pretty good handle on the origin of four North American cows that tested ...
BSE found in cow born after feed ban; Response plans announced A team of U.S. Department of Agriculture officials was dispatched to Canada Jan. 11 as questions surrounding the nation's ban on specified risk material in ruminant feed swirled after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced yet another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy had been confirmed. The fact a ruminant feed ban was implemented in Canada in 1997 alongside the U.S., coupled with the BSE-infected animal's age, indicates it would have spent its entire life after the ban was ...
Just a Scoop Full I am amazed at the various reasons why, different individuals and groups are giving for opening the border regardless of BSE problems in Canada. I am told that there are international guidelines concerning BSE and a country could have two head for every million head and still be in the minimal risk category. A lot are trying to use the logic that if the U.S. is more lenient with Canada--then other countries will be more lenient with us.
"We've been through hell up here" While beef producers in the United States weathered the BSE scare, the ban has devastated Canadian ranchers, leaving them with a surplus of cattle and few places to slaughter or sell them. Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, in October blamed presidential politics for the delay in reopening the U.S. market to Canadian cows. The Montana-based group R-CALF USA, which represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers, in middle December asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ...
Stakeholders discuss beef issues, identify action items USDA marketing and regulatory programs--Agriculture Marketing Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - should communicate with one another and, ideally, work together to develop a seamless animal identification system that meets both animal health and marketing needs. --Make funding for Kansas' premises identification program through the Kansas Animal Health Department a priority. It requires individual age verification, group age verification...
Senator Roberts continues as chairman of intelligence U.S. Senator Pat Roberts was selected by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to continue as chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to further critical reforms to the nation's intelligence community. Senator Roberts will also retain his membership on committees important to Kansas including: Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry, Armed Services, Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the Senate Ethics Committee. In the 108th Congress, Senator Roberts led the ...
Rehberg cautions about opening border quickly HELENA (AP)--Montana's lone congressman Dec. 29 cautioned about opening the border to exports of beef from Canada too quickly, warning that maintaining market stability is crucial to this nation's beef industry. "In Montana, our beef industry is worth over $760 million to our economy annually, so it's critical the federal government doesn't hurt our ranchers and upset market stability," Rep. Denny Rehberg said. Nineteen months ago, a mad cow scare closed U.S. borders to Canadian cattle.
NFU president opposes USDA plan to re-open Canadian border National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson on Dec. 30 released the following statement in response to the announcement by Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to reopen the Canadian border to allow live cattle to be exported from Canada to the United States. "I am deeply concerned about the decision by Secretary Veneman to proceed to re-open the Canadian border to live cattle imports. "It also puzzles me that Secretary Veneman would plow full speed ahead on allowing imports to ...
Livestock producers need assurances on animal I.D. program This understandable reticence to disclose personal information is part of the reason livestock producers want the information they supply for a national livestock identification system to be protected. Livestock producers do not want other government agencies to have access to their information, except in criminal or civil violations, and they want their information protected at both the state and national levels. And producers believe their information needs to be specifically exempted ...
Expect a full court press on Japan to reopen to U.S. beef The final rule recently published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture cracks the door on resumption of live cattle and beef product trade from Canada. Live cattle brought in from Canada will only be allowed for cattle under 30 months of age. When the president visited Canada in early December to visit with the prime minister regarding security, Iraq and other issues, Prime Minister Martin took the opportunity to raise the border issue.
Canada confirms second BSE case The dairy cow from Alberta, which was born in 1996, has tested positive for BSE according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Jan. 2. Ron DeHaven, administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has said beef brought into the United State will be subject to Canadian inspection and subject to re-inspection by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Darcy Davis, chair of Alberta Beef Producers, said Jan. 2 the new case should not cause too much concern among ...
BSE case focused public attention on food "The pressure put on USDA by foreign governments is far more effective in effecting change than the pressure put on USDA by U.S. consumers,'' Smith DeWaal said. "When a small packer offers to test every animal for mad cow--and USDA refuses to allow that practice--something is wrong with the government's fulfillment of its mission to protect our U.S. food supply,'' Watchman said. Federal regulators, trying to reassure U.S. consumers, promised to strengthen the country's food safety rules.
Beef producers react to second case of BSE in Canada LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Benny Montague has raised cattle in West Texas for 35 years and believes he knows what's best for the U.S. beef industry. With this weekend's confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada, Montague and others in the nation's leading beef-producing state said the government is acting too hastily in lifting a ban on importing live cattle from the country. "The bottom line is that the beef supply is safe," said Jan Lyons, president of the National Cattlemen'...
Another BSE case confirmed in Canada asarguments sharpen between U.S. beef groups As a result, Bullard called for more stringent BSE testing procedures in Canada, with the U.S.-Canada border closed until this is accomplished. "We are deeply concerned that despite the known and expanding prevalence of BSE within its domestic cattle herd, Canada continues testing only cattle that already exhibit BSE disease symptoms. "Only Canada, and the multi-national meatpackers--with plants throughout North America--keep describing Canada's BSE problem as a 'North American herd' problem...
USMEF interns gain "real-world" international experience Two graduate meat science students gained "real-world" international experience while continuing their studies this year, thanks to a new U.S. Meat Export Federation intern program. She helped gather information on how the Japanese meat industry brands or markets its products so USMEF can successfully implement U.S. meat marketing programs that appeal to Japanese consumers. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. ...
USDA rule will allow some Canadian live cattle into U.S. After an "extensive risk review," USDA-APHIS officials said conditions will now be established to allow live cattle imports from nations that meet criteria for BSE prevention and detection, thereby qualifying them as "minimal-risk." In view of this comprehensive risk review and because of the nation's BSE safeguards now in place, Canada will become the first nation to garner a minimal-risk designation, according to John Clifford, USDA-APHIS deputy administrator for veterinary services. Based ...
USDA files status report with court The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, filed a fifth status report in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana concerning R-CALF USA's litigation against the USDA regarding the agency's proposed rule titled "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities." On Dec. 9, R-CALF USA filed supplemental comments with USDA in an effort to help protect U.S. consumers and international consumers, as well as the U.S...
Japan noncommittal on U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Japan marked a one-year ban Dec. 24 on U.S. beef imports over bovine spongiform encephalopathy fears with little indication of repealing the measure, which has closed a billion-dollar market to American beef producers and ravaged Japanese restaurateurs. Japan shut out U.S. beef imports last December after the discovery of the first U.S. case of BSE--a brain-wasting illness that can be fatal to humans who eat contaminated beef. "There are sections of the market that require U.S. ...
Feedlot meeting to feature packer concentration and market update This regional meeting is being organized by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the Iowa, Sioux and Lyon counties cattlemen's associations. Sponsors include Bayer Animal Health, Elanco Animal Health, Farm Credit Services of America (Sheldon and Emmetsburg), Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet Animal Health, Iowa Beef Center, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa State University Extension, Lyon County Cattlemen's Association, Merial Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Schering-Plough ...
Farmers wonder about their future as technology increasingly takes over their tasks "It's all because these farmers are adopting these new technologies into their operations and that allows them to farm more land and increase production." Some say the economics of farming--low prices for grain and livestock--are pushing farmers to produce more and expand operations while forcing smaller farmers out of business. Supporters of large-scale farming say advances in technology also are making farming more environmentally friendly.
Creekstone Farms laying off 150 workers WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--A Kansas meatpacker prohibited by government regulators from testing all its cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy is cutting 150 jobs and reducing production at its Arkansas City slaughterhouse. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef laid off the workers Dec. 22, saying it made the decision after it became apparent Japan would not reopen its market to American beef products anytime soon. Creekstone Farms' plant plans to operate only four days a week, slaughtering 3,000 ...
Canada announces suspected case of BSE in dairy cow "USDA is confident that the animal and public health measures that Canada has in place to prevent BSE, combined with existing U.S. domestic safeguards and additional safeguards announced yesterday provide the utmost protections to U.S. consumers and livestock," a USDA press release issued by Dr. Ron DeHaven, administrator, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said. Similar to the two North American BSE-infected animals detected in 2003, this Canadian animal was born before the ...
Beef researcher predicts Canadian border will reopen in 2005 BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--A beef researcher told the Montana Stockgrowers Association Dec. 9 he expects live cattle exports across the Canadian border to resume in 2005. Dave Weaber of Denver-based Cattle Fax, the research and analysis arm of the U.S. cattle industry, said he expected about 300,000 head of fed cattle would move into this country when the border reopens. Paterson said the national plan would require identification of specific ranches, as well as an individual ID for each animal...
A year of prevention was worth a century of cure In this age of bioterrorism and the outbreak of a new disease that has closed the U.S. border to introduction of Canadian livestock, it is interesting to look back over 90 years and find the causes of the FMD outbreak and how governments and organizations like the NWSS are doing to keep history from repeating itself. Today, the NWSS maintains a strict health security plan, beginning with health certificates for livestock coming into The Yards or onto The Hill, according to president and CEO ...

December 2004
USMEF recaps the past year as difficult for beef, but strong for pork Many international markets closed to U.S. beef due to a single case of BSE reported in Washington State last December, resulting in a 78 percent loss in quantity of beef and beef variety meat exports and an 82 percent loss in value. Seng noted that USMEF will continue to provide education to consumers to regain their confidence in U.S. beef, in addition to hosting trade teams traveling to the United States to view safety measures firsthand. Pork exports increased 11 percent globally, but ...
Trade dominates U.S. ag agenda But even before the embargoes, Americans began importing more food than they export, raising a broad front of trade issues that will dominate U.S. farm policy the next four years. Besides finalizing deals to resume U.S. beef exports to Japan and Taiwan, officials are working on reopening U.S. borders for Canadian beef, which was banned in May 2003 after a single case of BSE was confirmed there. Trade will drive debate on Capitol Hill, where international disputes over subsidies for U.S. ...
RMFU wraps up annual convention RMFU delegates called on Congress to return the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to its original purpose of maintaining the nation's system of family agriculture and strengthening rural communities. "A decade ago, the U.S. agricultural trade surplus was the bright spot in the U.S. balance of trade. Today, the U.S. trade deficit has reached record highs and will impact the currency value and the overall U.S. economy," said Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen, a featured speaker...
Picture for U.S. beef exports still unclear Trying to predict the future for U.S. beef exports is at best a murky proposition, said Alan Smith, newly-elected chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). These and many other efforts continue as the beef industry works to bolster consumer confidence worldwide in U.S. beef. Since the December 2003 announcement of BSE in the U.S. and the loss of major export markets, the U.S. has been able to partially regain exports to Mexico and Canada.
NIAA chief praises Veneman's tenure as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture --Her call for immediate implementation of a National System for Animal Identification (NAIS) to provide a standardized, national numbering system to assist animal health officials with tracing diseased animals back to their point of origin. --Unprecedented commitment to building a world-class animal health infrastructure in the United States (animal disease surveillance, research and diagnostics), hallmarked by several hundred million dollars for construction of the new National Centers for...
Mexico alert for results of BSE tests in U.S. Mexico banned U.S. beef and cattle imports in December when the first, and so far, only, case of BSE emerged in the United States, but lifted the prohibition in March of this year. Japanese and Korean bans on U.S. beef made Mexico the biggest importer of U.S. beef this year. According to data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Mexico imported 68,000 metric tons (75,000 U.S. tons) of U.S. beef in the first nine months of this year, down 56 percent from the same period in 2003.
Kingman County FB earns coveted progress award The farmers and ranchers of Kansas Farm Bureau have honored their friends and colleagues from the Kingman County Farm Bureau with the 2004 Progress Award. The Kingman County Farm Bureau was recognized Nov. 13, at Kansas Farm Bureau's 86th annual meeting in Manhattan. "The excitement generated by the volunteer farmers and ranchers of the Kingman County Farm Bureau is contagious," said Edie Dahlsten, a McPherson County agricultural producer who serves as Kansas Farm Bureau vice-president.
Kansas sees trade issues critical for new ag secretary WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--Kansas Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky said Nov. 15 he was "looking forward to new leadership" with the resignation of Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman. Polansky has long been an outspoken critic of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--most notably its slow progress on a national animal identification program following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States. Alan Tracy, president of the U.S. Wheat Associates and former White House...
Kansas lab among five BSE testing facilities stalled WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--Five of the nation's bovine spongiform encephalopathy testing laboratories--including on in St. Paul, Minn.--are still awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to begin testing, even though staff and equipment are in place. M. Chengappa, director of the diagnostic laboratory at Kansas State University, said Nov. 19 his lab has been ready to begin testing BSE samples for two or three months. Morgan said APHIS felt the seven labs currently testing was ...
Corn growers call for additional food safety measures In response to the recent concerns over a possible second case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the U.S., which could have had far reaching consequences to the corn industry, Keith Bolin, president of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), as well as a corn and livestock producer from Manlius, Ill., stated that American consumers must be assured that our government, as well as our farmers and livestock producers, will do everything in their power to ensure the safety of the ...
Bush to push lift of Canadian beef ban SANTIAGO (AP)--U.S. President George W. Bush will start a process to lift a U.S. ban on Canadian beef imports, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin announced. After meeting with Bush at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Martin said the U.S. president will ask the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to end a beef ban that resulted from the bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare and devastated the Canadian cattle industry. The other main trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada ...
APHIS announces inconclusive BSE test result found Early Nov. 18, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was notified that an inconclusive BSE test result was received on a rapid screening test used as part of its enhanced BSE surveillance program. Tissue samples are now being sent to USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories "the national BSE reference lab" which will run confirmatory testing. Because this test is only an inconclusive test result, APHIS is not disclosing details ...
Anger over BSE restrictions brings offer to shoot cattle LEDUC, Alberta (AP)--After losing money for 18 months because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy restrictions, Ed Wedman is advertising for hunters willing to pay $500 (US$420) each to shoot a Holstein steer and take the meat. Under Alberta's Meat Inspection Act, farmers and ranchers may legally sell live animals but cannot invite hunters to kill livestock on their property, said Floyd Mullaney of the Agriculture Ministry's food safety division. Alberta cattle producers have been hard-hit ...
A look at international markets shows challenges, opportunities for meat exporters Mexico has become the largest market for U.S. beef exports as the United States holds an 86 percent share of the country's beef import market and an 80 percent share of its pork import market. Although Mexico is now the largest importer of U.S. beef, Japan imports the most U.S. pork. U.S. pork trade is up three times the worldwide average at 32 percent. Russia imports one third of its meat, and U.S. beef exports are expected to regain pre-BSE levels by 2006 as USMEF markets the tastiness and...
A field full of rumors While the frayed straw hats and overalls went a little overboard in Hee Haw's portrayal of rural life, I'm afraid the gossip and rumor accusations are true. If suspicious cases were not immediately disclosed, rumors could fly whether there was actually a suspicious case or not. Rumors are rumors after all, and we know how accurate they can be.
Voluntary checkoffs should keep the best of the mandatory programs Farm Bureau and others who recognize the importance of commodity checkoffs are hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will not find the mandatory beef checkoff unconstitutional. She cited beef safety and beef nutrition programs, as well as the "Beef, It's What's for Dinner" promotional campaign as examples of crucial checkoff-funded programs. Very simply, the needs served by the beef checkoff and other checkoff programs will not go away if mandatory checkoff programs are eliminated.
USDA exhibits disregard for agency policy with continued incong R-CALF USA is asking the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) why the agency is not abiding by its own policy of maintaining transparency with regard to announcements of inconclusive results regarding tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Time and time and time again, since June, when USDA announced the first inconclusive test results, the highest ranking officials at USDA stated the reason for making these announcements was to make certain agency actions were "...
R-CALF files supplemental comments on reopening Canadian border In its ongoing efforts to help protect both United States' and international consumers, as well as the U.S. cattle herd, against the introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) into the U.S. from Canada, R-CALF USA recently filed supplemental comments to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the agency's proposed rule titled "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities." "APHIS' proposed rule and USDA's current BSE ...
President's statements on reopening Canadian border acknowledge "The statements made by President Bush today do nothing more than coincide with previous reports that indicate certain procedures must be followed before USDA could lower our current import standards to allow the importation of Canadian cattle into the United States," said Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA CEO. Current U.S. rules require imports of cattle and beef be banned from countries with this BSE designation. Since then, USDA has been rewriting the health and safety rules regarding trade with ...
Policy Positions adopted by Farm Bureau delegates Delegates to Nebraska Farm Bureau's 2004 convention in Kearney, Dec. 5 to 8, took action to deal with the consequences if the national beef check-off is declared unconstitutional. Among other state issues, the delegates supported restructuring of Nebraska's beginning farmer tax credit program. Policies on state issues adopted by the House of Delegates will guide Nebraska Farm Bureau's work with the Nebraska Legislature and regulatory bodies.
MissouriCattlemencutlines.dr(for 1227) PRIVATE DATABASE--Mike John, a cattleman from Huntsville, Mo., and vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) spoke to Missouri cattlemen during their annual meeting. NEW OFFICERS--Howard Hardecke, Bolivar, Mo., took over as president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association during their annual meeting. AWARDS DINNER--Georgia Richter, La Grange, Mo., was honored as the Cattlewoman of the Year at the awards dinner during the Missouri Cattlemen's Association annual ...
MCA exceeds membership goals in face of BSE Mike John, a cow-calf producer from Huntsville, Mo., and vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) pointed out that work on a national identification system was already underway when the first case of BSE in this country was discovered. BSE was one of two events to have a major impact on the beef industry in 2004, according to Dr. Ron Plain, agricultural economist with the University of Missouri. "Meat demand is driving the cattle industry in this country," said Dr...
Canadian ranchers hurting because of U.S. cattle import While beef producers in the United States weathered the BSE scare, the ban has devastated Canadian ranchers, leaving them with a surplus of cattle and few places to slaughter or sell them. Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, in October blamed presidential politics for the delay in reopening the U.S. market to Canadian cows. The Montana-based group R-CALF USA, which represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers, last week asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain its ban...
MCA exceeds membership goals in face of BSE Mike John, a cow-calf producer from Huntsville, Mo., and vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) pointed out that work on a national identification system was already underway when the first case of BSE in this country was discovered. BSE was one of two events to have a major impact on the beef industry in 2004, according to Dr. Ron Plain, agricultural economist with the University of Missouri. "Meat demand is driving the cattle industry in this country," said Dr...
Lyons: Beef checkoff program crucial to overcoming BSE If you ask Jan Lyons, the beef checkoff program is vital to the success and profitability of cattle producers nationwide. "You can think about food safety programs and BSE research that was funded with checkoff dollars, and all of the state activities that your checkoff dollars go toward." When many think of the beef checkoff program, the most common thing that comes to mind is the "Beef: It's What's for Dinner" advertising campaign with the familiar voice of actor Sam Elliott.
Kansas livestock producers seek optimistic future Issues within the beef industry can have a big effect on how successful the industry is in the coming months. But regardless of the safety of the U.S. beef supply, there are always groups working to put cattle producers out of business. For example, following the BSE case last year, an organic beef company promoted their beef as being safer and implying that non-organic beef was not safe.
Will another BSE ruin holidays for Washington ranchers? The announcement Nov. 18 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture marked the third time a test had come back as "inconclusive" since the federal government stepped up testing for the disease June 1. The first two inconclusive tests turned out to be negative, and federal officials stressed that more tests were still needed this time around as well. Washington state was not notified about the inconclusive test, said Kate Sandboe, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture. The USDA ...
Texas commodity groups join to host general symposium The Texas Wheat Producers Association, Texas Grain Sorghum Association, Corn Producers Association of Texas and Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., gathered their members in the Heritage Room at the Amarillo Civic Center to learn about the latest updates in agricultural policy at the state and national level. Hardcastle serves as Chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee and serves on the Natural Resources Committee in the Texas House of Representatives. Finally, U.S. Representative Randy...
R-CALF: USDA unnecessarily traumatizes cattle markets -- USDA has significantly weakened its disease protection strategy for imported cattle and beef products by no longer working to prevent BSE from entering the United States through imported cattle that originated in a country where BSE exists. Thus, USDA already is forcing the U.S. cattle industry to suffer the adverse economic consequences of a BSE discovery, despite its failure to find a single case of BSE in the U.S. cattle herd, either during its accelerated BSE testing program begun ...
Hong Kong lifts Canada beef ban HONG KONG (AP)--Hong Kong's government announced Nov. 30 that it has lifted a one-and-a-half year ban on beef imports from Canada imposed after bovine spongiform encephalopathy surfaced in the country. Hong Kong will start off by only resuming imports of boneless beef from cows less than 30 months old that have had their brains and spinal cords removed during slaughtering, the department said in a statement. Hong Kong halted Canadian beef imports on May 21, 2003.
Cattle tracking tested to protect food EMMETT, Idaho (AP)--Federal policy is meeting Western reality on the rangelands of Idaho, where wide-open spaces, technological glitches and bitter cold all are potential obstacles to plans to track livestock and protect the food supply from disease and bioterrorism. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to create a national network that would track, within 48 hours, every contact an infected animal has had in its life. As envisioned in Washington, D.C., the tracking network would ...

November 2004
Taiwan beef ban may be lifted soon TAIPEI (AP)--A Taiwanese official on Oct. 22 said the island's ban on U.S. beef could be lifted at the end of this year or in early 2005 because America's cattle appear to be free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Taiwan plans to send an 18-member team to visit selected U.S. cattle farms, but the trip's timing has yet to be worked out with the Americans, Hsiao Tung-ming, a Health Department official, told the Associated Press. The Taiwanese government was among more than 30 worldwide ...
Nebraska cattle producers optimistic about Japan KEARNEY, Neb. (AP)--Japan's expected easing of its ban on U.S. beef will be a psychological boost for cattle producers, agriculture officials said. U.S. and Japanese officials announced a framework agreement Oct. 23 to resume beef trade, 10 months after Japan and other countries closed their ports to U.S. beef because a Washington dairy cow tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. During the talks, U.S. and Japanese officials reviewed a Japanese proposal--awaiting Tokyo's final...
Nebraska cattlemen convention, trade show set for Dec. 8 to 10 The annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show will be held Dec. 8 to 10 in Kearney. Most of the general business for this year's Nebraska Cattlemen--Nebraska CattleWomen Convention and Trade Show will take place over one and one-half days, starting with the opening session at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8. The NC Research and Education Foundation luncheon on Thursday is $20. Nebraska State Historical Society researcher John Carter, who has written extensively on the history of the ...
Harkin: Beef agreement is political ploy The U.S. Department of Agriculture headline said "U.S.-Japanese Officials Conclude Agreement for Resumption of Beef Trade," but the text of the announcement called it a "framework agreement"--the same term that was used for the agreement World Trade Organization negotiators reached on agriculture last summer when they could not agree on details, Harkin said. Consequently, there is still no assurance U.S. beef producers and processors will resume selling beef in Japan's market." Canadian beef...
Creekstone could be first to export beef to Japan ARKANSAS CITY, Kan., (DTN)--Call it irony, but a beef processing company that invested in a source verification system to target the Japanese market only to lose $400,000 a week when Japan banned U.S. beef after a BSE case in December may now be the envy of the meatpacking industry as it might be one of the first to export beef to Japan. A framework agreement struck last week between U.S. and Japanese negotiators will make it possible for American beef to again stock Japanese shelves, but ...
BSE negotiators want magic fix Tokyo (DTN)--In what amounts to another last-ditch effort, Japan and United States negotiators will meet for two days in Tokyo in mid-October for a high-level consultation to try to get U.S. been back on Japanese plates and Japanese beef back in America. A Japanese Ministry of Agriculture official said he's worried the U.S. will not be able to satisfy Japan's strict measures for determining the precise age of American beef exports before they can be allowed into the Japanese market. Most of...
Woman's death probed for BSE tie BEAUMONT, Texas (AP)--The family of a Beaumont, Texas, woman is waiting for test results to find out if she died from a form of an affliction connected to bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. One type is called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and is linked to BSE. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of BSE, so far has killed 100 people in Britain and elsewhere.
West Plains cattle sale news Feeder steers: Medium and large frame 1, 300 to 400 lbs., 117.00 to 133.00; 400 to 500 lbs., 113.00 to 128.00; 500 to 550 lbs., 107.50 to 119.00, lot weaned/vaccinated, 123.50; 550 to 600 lbs., 100.00 to 101.50, lot weaned/vaccinated, 113.00; 600 to 635 lbs., 100.00 to 106.00, lot fleshy 95.00; lot 718 lbs., 104.50. Medium and large frame 1 and 2, few 350 to 400 lbs., 117.00 to 118.00; some thin 300 to 400 lbs., 128.00 to 138.00; 400 to 450 lbs., 120.00 to 121.50, thin 122.00 to 125.00, few ...
USMEF demonstration in China sells U.S. pork to expanding restaurant chain After tasting U.S. pork at a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) demonstration, the Hao Ke Lai restaurant chain ordered one container of U.S. boneless butt and bone-in pork loin for a restaurant menu that's decidedly geared to tastes of a younger generation. Before placing the order for boneless butt and pork loin, Hao Ke Lai featured U.S. pork short plate and bone-in short rib. Mo also gave Hao Ke Lai U.S. pork materials and suggestions for new pork dishes once the U.S. pork shipment ...
SDCA to address landmark issues It's these newsworthy events and more that members of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association will be addressing at their membership meeting during the annual convention and trade show. In addition to the membership meeting, convention participants have a chance to hear Dr. Temple Grandin, world- renowned livestock handling facility designer, speak about "Low stress cattle handling systems and facility design," Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Pfizer Cattlemen's College. Other speakers include South ...
Producer opportunity: CAB growth limited only by supply In a tough year for both product marketing and cattle production, the Certified Angus Beef brand maintained its five-year record of sales exceeding half a billion pounds. "We sold out of high-quality Angus cattle, a shortage that went against long-established trends," said Jim Riemann, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) president. Angus influence in the U.S. cattle herd continued to grow, exceeding 52 percent of the cattle processed.
Officials comment on negative BSE test results "The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, has determined that the inconclusive screening test sample reported on Nov. 18 has tested negative for BSE upon confirmatory testing," said John Clifford, Deputy Administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in a statement. "NVSL used the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test, an internationally-recognized gold standard test for BSE, and received a negative result on Nov. 22. APHIS has reported three ...
New BSE report may hurt market, some say "The market is free-falling for fat cattle and feeder cattle," said Rick Fox, vice president of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. Elected officials and cattle producers expressed concerns Nov. 18 that the USDA continues to support inconclusive tests. U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-SD, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, said while most producers feel such reports will always hurt the cattle market, some believe the policy of reporting inconclusive results will ...
Inconclusive no surprise to APHIS OMAHA (DTN)--Another cow that tested "inconclusive" for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and was later determined to be negative for BSE, is no surprise to those who are familiar with USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service standards designed to boost confidence in the American beef chain. The plan, which was implemented in June, is to test about 268,000 cows in the United States using rapid-test kits to ensure BSE was detected if it is in the American adult herd, which numbers ...
Beef industry to set direction during KLA convention King Ranch General Manager Paul Genho will open KLA Beef Industry University, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, with a discussion of big-picture trends affecting the beef industry. U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist Keith Collins will round out KLA Beef-U. He will discuss the impact on U.S. beef producers of increasing domestic consumer demand and interrupted international markets, including the latest on resuming beef trade with Japan. K-State Livestock ...
Another BSE case won't shut down U.S. beef markets As the U.S. beef industry received word the inconclusive bovine spongiform encephalopathy rapid test discovered Nov. 18 was found to be negative for the disease, market analysts voiced little concern over the possible effects on the beef market. A combination of prior experience with the disease and the fact U.S. beef is being traded on a still limited basis internationally should ease the blow to the markets if any future test results are shown to be positive for BSE. People involved in the...
TCFA tackles issues on behalf of members "Cindy and I spent a lot of time talking about what might happen," said the chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA). Speaking at the 2004 TCFA Annual Convention in San Antonio, Morales said they knew that The Cow That Stole Christmas was a big deal and that the cattle business would never be the same again. The coordinated response between TCFA, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Beef Council and NCBA was simply amazing, he said.
Survey: 63% of Japanese against U.S. beef deal U.S. and Japanese negotiators agreed over the weekend to ease a 10-month-old ban on U.S. beef exports to Japan, a deal that will reopen the U.S. beef industry's biggest overseas market to at least some products. Sixty-three percent surveyed opposed the agreement with the U.S. and 26 percent approved, it said. Among women, only 16 percent said they wanted to eat U.S. beef versus 76 percent who said no.
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman resigns Nov. 12 Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman resigned, along with three other top officials including Secretary of State Colin Powell, Education Secretary Rod Paige and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. Veneman's press secretary Alisa Harrison Nov. 15 , sent reporters who asked for a list of Veneman's accomplishments a notice that said, "The state of the American food and agriculture sector, future career opportunities and the natural break between terms, makes this a logical time for the ...
KCA, R-CALF hold informational meetings Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA) would like to invite you to attend a series of informational meetings about issues facing independent cattle producers. The second meeting will be held on Friday, Nov. 19, at the Yates Center Community Building, Yates Center, Kansas. Kansas Cattlemen's Association is an affiliate of R-CALF USA and is Kansas' fastest growing cattlemen's association.
Japan suspects 15th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--A Holstein in western Japan tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a preliminary test conducted Oct. 23, an official said. The discovery came as agriculture and health officials from the U.S. and Japan were meeting in Tokyo to negotiate an end to Tokyo's 10-month-old ban on U.S. beef imports. Preliminary tests on the cow from a ranch in the state of Mie turned up positive, Mie government official Itaru Okamoto said.
Japan may prefer Canada's sows TOKYO (DTN)--If the race was about identifying the origin of cows, Canadian beef would be back in the closed-but-lucrative Japanese market long before U.S. beef, said beef industry experts and Japanese government farm officials. Japanese officials are too diplomatic to pit the U.S. and Canada against each other once the market reopens for the BSE-hobbled North American beef export business. But U.S. beef industry officials said U.S. meat packers are not welcoming the USDA inspection system ...
Ireland suffers first suspected case of human form of mad cow DUBLIN, Ireland (AP)--Ireland may have suffered its first homegrown case of the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy after a man in his early 20s was hospitalized in Dublin for suspected variant Crutzfeld-Jakob Disease. Ireland's health department confirmed that the man, who is in his early 20s, has never received or donated blood, and has lived all his life in Ireland. Ireland banned the use of meat and bone meal as cattle feed, the suspected origin of BSE, in 1990.
Genetics may help some fight vCJD WASHINGTON (AP)--Some people have a genetic variation that may help them resist the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a study in mice suggests. This novel form of the brain-wasting disease hasn't yet been found in humans. There is also a brain-wasting disease called sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which occurs in humans, but isn't caused by BSE.
Belk: Japan deal sets stage for opening other markets to U.S. beef Prior to entering the academic world, Dr. Belk was an International Marketing Specialist in the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, where he developed and implemented international standards programs for federal grading, certification, and market information services to improve U.S. agricultural trade. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the ...
Beef deal detail work remains TOKYO (DTN)--Here's the good news on the high-level U.S.-Japan bovine spongiform encephalopathy talks during the week of Oct. 18 in Tokyo: Japan (in principle) will lift a ban on U.S. beef that was put in place last December after the first case of BSE was announced by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The marketing program--called the Beef Export Verification (BEV) program--expands upon a BEV used to avoid mixing Canadian beef in U.S. beef exports to Japan--will be evaluated by in July 2005 ...
Taiwan, Japan trade bodes well for Kansas beef WICHITA, Kan. (AP)--With more export markets reopening borders to limited U.S. beef trade, the nation's meatpackers and livestock producers are scrambling to revamp operations to qualify for overseas sales. Recent developments in reopening overseas markets comes just as the United States faces a glut of cattle--aggravated by heavier market cattle and growing beef imports from other countries eager to cash in on high U.S. beef prices. Reopening export trade bodes well for Kansas, which sold ...
SDCA stands behind beef checkoff That's why the members of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association stand behind the beef checkoff. Of that $1, fifty cents is controlled by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and fifty cents goes on to the national Cattlemen's Beef Board. SDCA's membership has always supported the beef checkoff and has a resolution in place that states that SDCA supports the continuation of the beef checkoff program as a nonrefundable program.
RMFU to hold annual convention Nov. 19, 20 The convention will conclude with a banquet beginning at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 20, featuring an address from Dave Frederickson, National Farmers Union (NFU) president. --8 a.m.: Opening Ceremony; Invocation, Pastor Sally Ponfick; Presentation of the Flags, Senior Youth Advisory Council; The Pledge of Allegiance; Senior Youth Advisory Council; National Anthem, Kelly Wentz; Call to Convention, Wade Wilson, Secretary; Call to Order, John Stencel, President; Rules Report; Credentials Report. --1:30 p.m...
Japan export deal puts new emphasis on beef records KEARNEY, Neb. (AP)--The deal to resume U.S. beef trade with Japan is putting renewed emphasis on cattle producers' record keeping, state agriculture experts say. On Oct. 23, U.S. and Japanese officials announced an agreement that will bring an end to Japan's 10-month ban on U.S. beef following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a Washington state cow last December. The key issue for renewed trade to Japan is certifying that all U.S. beef and variety meats sold in Japan ...
U.S. politics delay Canadian border opening some say Cellucci told Ottawa business leaders that a minority of interests the United States have challenged and delayed U.S. Department of Agriculture rule changes that would have ended the bovine spongiform encephalopathy-induced ban on Canadian beef imports. The ambassador singled out Tom Daschle, the Senate Democratic leader from South Dakota, as a prime mover against Canadian beef interests. The U.S. border was closed to Canadian beef after a single case of BSE--was diagnosed in a breeder cow ...
U.S., Japan beef talks begin TOKYO (AP)--Two days of talks aimed at lifting Japan's 10-month ban on American beef imports opened Oct. 21 between Japanese and U.S. officials in Tokyo. Japan banned all U.S. beef imports following the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the U.S. in December. Tokyo has demanded that Washington test all U.S.-bred cows for the illness as a condition for resuming trade, but U.S. officials have said such testing would be costly and ineffective.
USDA officials explain details of U.S.-Japan beef framework agreement The agreement covers both U.S. beef exports to Japan, but also the resumption of Japanese exports to the U.S. market. The prospect of accepting Japanese beef into the U.S. has some in the U.S. beef industry concerned because of Japan's ongoing struggle with BSE in its cattle herd. However, Penn said, the U.S. is respecting the Japanese situation and therefore the age limit on beef exported will stay at 20 months of age or younger, rather than the 30 month limit in place between the U.S. and...
NCBA excited over U.S. beef trade agreement with Japan National Cattlemen's Beef Association officials held a conference call with reporters Oct. 25, discussing the ramifications of the recent trade framework agreement between the U.S. and Japan over beef exports and imports. "It is an important first step toward regaining full access to the largest export market for U.S. beef, and it serves as a gateway for worldwide resumption of U.S. beef exports. "In 2003, exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Japan were worth about $1.4 billion to ...
Governor encourages swift action to resume beef trade Recently, Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky met with a team of Kansas stakeholders to discuss how Kansas beef producers and processors could be best prepared for the reopening of Japanese markets to American beef. After the meeting, which was held yesterday, Governor Sebelius sent a letter to USDA Secretary Ann Veneman encouraging a quick resolution to ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and Japan and discussing concerns and challenges by Kansas ...
BSE questions raised after Brit infected via transfusion WASHINGTON (AP)--Federal health advisers unanimously agreed Oct. 14 that current safeguards on blood donations in the U.S. are sufficient despite the disclosure that a second British resident most likely acquired the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy through a tainted transfusion. Getting the human form of BSE, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, through tainted blood "is a reality. Already, the nation's major blood suppliers, ABC and the American Red Cross, estimate current ...
Bush committed to creating opportunity Among the list of pros for the Bush-Cheney ticket are that President Bush supported and signed the 2002 Farm Bill, his tax policies will benefit rural Americans, he is supporting an Energy Bill that offers a significant boost for renewable energy sources, and he has supported trade agreements that help U.S. farmers and ranchers. "During his first term, President Bush helped the rural economy beyond the farm--since 2001, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural economic development programs ...
Candidates court rural votes And, while their involvement does not constitute any organizational endorsement, it should also be noted that several past and current state Farm Bureau presidents are members of the 2004 Bush-Cheney Farmers-Ranchers Steering Committee, including: Ronald "Ronnie" Anderson, president, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Ethel, La.; Bill Pauli, president, California Farm Bureau, Potter Valley, Calif.; Charles "Charlie" Kruse, president, Missouri Farm Bureau, Dexter, Mo. (he also serves as the ...

October 2004
Veneman interviewed on AgriTalk at Doane headquarters In a wide-ranging interview conducted by AgriTalk host Mike Adams, Secretary Veneman touched on everything from prospects for reopening the U.S. beef market to Japan to the challenge of preventing intentional introduction of agricultural pests or diseases by bioterrorists to outlining key aspects of President Bush's ag agenda for a second Bush administration. Veneman first addressed for AgriTalk listeners recent allegations in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that transfer of APHIS (Animal and ...
USMEF to present distinguished service award to CSU professor Dr. Keith Belk, associate professor in red meat safety at the Department of Animal Sciences of Colorado State University will receive the USMEF Distinguished Service Award for his exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to U.S. red meat exports. Prior to entering the academic world, Belk was an international marketing specialist in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, where he developed and implemented international standards programs for federal grading, certification and ...
Steps to stop BSE taintings Pharmaceuticals regulated by the agency, including human vaccines and animal drugs used on farms, routinely use cow products in their manufacture. William Egan, Food and Drug Administration acting director in the office of vaccine research and review, told pharmaceutical representatives on Sept. 21 that the new rule is aimed at reducing even further BSE risk in human and animal drugs. The FDA's Egan said the agency has not yet decided whether manufacturers will have to replace American and ...
Japan: Cow tests positive for BSE If the cow in Nara prefecture (state) is confirmed to have the illness, it will mark the 13th case of or BSE in Japan. Japan confirmed its 12th case of BSE the previous week after a 5-year-old dairy cow tested positive for the disease in southern Japan. Japan was the first country to confirm mad cow disease outside of Europe, where it devastated cattle farms.
EU lifts Portuguese beef ban BRUSSELS (AP)--The European Union Sept. 21 decided to lift its ban on Portuguese beef exports imposed in 1998 following an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne said Portugal had made "very significant efforts" to bring under control the spread of BSE. An earlier decision to lift the ban was overturned last year by the EU's high court, which upheld a French complaint that the EU head office hadn't carried out sufficiently ...
Canada announces BSE aid package CALGARY, Alberta (AP)--Canada announced a C$484 million (US$375 million or euro305 million) aid package Sept. 10 to help its beef industry devastated by the loss of the United States market after officials found a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy last year in Alberta. In 2002 Canada exported C$1.74 billion (US$1.35 billion or euro1.1 billion) of beef products south. More than 4,200 jobs related to Canada's beef industry have been lost, according to Human Resources Development...
BSE talks result in feuds So far, about 57,000 cattle have been tested for BSE with none testing positive for BSE. The catch is if trial U.S. test program turns up zero cases of BSE, the USDA requests that Japan lowers its standing BSE ratings its current BSE-country designation. Since the U.S.-Japan BSE talks started in April this year, Japan was represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Food Safety Commission (FSC), which is ...
U.S., Japan to meet quietly on BSE Japan stopped importing U.S. beef last December, after U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the nation's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Washington state. The first late-April meeting that resulted was dubbed the "The Third Japan-U.S. Consultation on the BSE Issues." U.S. participants emphasized that Japan's policy of testing all cattle for BSE was not based on sound science.
Seminars set for renewed livestock risk protection program Hedging price risk with LRP is similar to creating a floor price using put options. Because LRP insurance is indemnified on a national cash index, the relevant basis to consider is the difference between the actual selling price and the national cash price index (rather than the producer's actual selling price and the futures price, as in the case of hedging with futures and options). Not only is this important when projecting expected hedged sales prices, but it also offers some reduction ...
Panama allows some U.S. beef PANAMA CITY (AP)--Panama has lifted some restrictions on U.S. beef, allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old. On Oct. 13, Panama's Agriculture Ministry began allowing U.S. beef certified as coming from packing plants inspected by a veterinarian and killed after September 2004. Although Panama raises most of its own beef, it does import some, and the U.S. is one of the main suppliers.
Japan's BSE plan has perils for U.S. TOKYO (DTN)--A long-awaited Japanese government draft plan announced Oct. 15 that will partially scrap its controversial "test-all" policy to detect bovine spongiform encephalopathy could leave foreign beef producers with a serious handicap in marketing their products, beef industry officials warn. The ban on U.S. beef imports can only be lifted after a revision takes effect on the Ministry of Health's ordinance governing testing for BSE. In a nutshell, Japanese beef farmers will be able to...
Japan confirms 14th BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan confirmed its 14th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy Oct. 14, after a Holstein cow from northern Japan tested positive for the brain-wasting illness, a government official said. The latest discovery comes as Japan considers relaxing testing standards that could lead to a partial lifting of Japan's ban on American beef imports. Tokyo prohibited all U.S. beef from entering Japan last December after the discovery of a case of BSE in the U.S.
Canada wants to slow tensions Martin's government has worked closely with U.S. officials on border security and has irked left-wing opposition parties by negotiating on a partnership in the U.S.' new continental missile defense program. The Conservatives, Parliament's largest opposition group, tentatively favor Canadian participation in the missile program, believing that opting out would jeopardize NORAD--the U.S.-Canadian North American Air Defense command. The most recent Canadian poll about the U.S. election, ...
Slaughter cattle prices this fall expected in mid-$80s Brisk summer beef sales at grocers' meat counters helped push July-September average slaughter cattle prices 2 percent over year-earlier levels, but year-to-year price gains have likely gone by the wayside, said Kansas State University agricultural economist James Mintert. This fall, prices are more likely to average in the mid-$80s as the increase in U.S. per capita beef supplies puts pressure on U.S. cattle prices." High U.S. beef prices, on the other hand, have attracted beef exporters ...
NCBA calls for risk analysis, cost/benefit studies on feed rule In a meeting recently with FDA and Office of Management and Budget officials, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) reviewed their comments on the proposed feed rule submitted to the FDA in August. In 1997, the FDA banned feeding cattle the type of animal-derived protein that can spread BSE. The letter was signed by NCBA and the American Feed Industry Association, American Meat Institute, American Sheep Industry Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk ...
Media informed through producer outreach effort More than 50 media outlets in the Midwest interviewed Cattlemen's Beef Board leaders this summer as part of the national Beef Checkoff Program's producer outreach effort. On a July media tour on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board was Nelson Curry, chairman of the Beef Board and a beef producer from Paris, Ky. Both tours were coordinated on behalf of the Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).
Meat prices could be higher this holiday season If Japan and Korea resume trade of beef exports from the United States in the next 30 days, competing meats such as pork and poultry could be priced higher than normal during the holiday season, a Texas Cooperative Extension economist said. "Right now, negotiations center on the U.S. being able to export beef and cattle that are 24 months or younger, while the Japanese prefer only bringing in cattle 20 months or younger," Rosson said. That's going to put some upward prices on cattle prices ...
Italy detects another BSE case ROME (AP)--Italy reported the latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy Oct. 5, bringing to 123 the number of cases detected in the nation since testing began in 2001, the Health Ministry said. The European Union requires tests on cattle older than 30 months destined for slaughter. Two years ago, Italy reported its first case of the human form of the brain-wasting illness, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Iowa beef producers on trade mission to Asia Two Iowa beef producers represented Iowa's beef industry on a meat trade mission to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau Oct. 2 to 9. Exports to these markets for U.S. beef have been closed since December, 2003 with the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a Washington state cow. Beef delegates were Helen Ohde, cow-calf producer from Manning and Will Frazee, cattle feeder from Emerson and treasurer of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. The Iowa delegation worked with the U.S. Meat Export ...
Industry remains focused on maintaining crisis preparedness For instance, an extensive checkoff-funded toolkit containing a wide range of crisis planning information is being distributed to state beef councils and cattle associations. It was prepared on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). To help further extend checkoff crisis preparedness efforts, national beef checkoff staff is providing interested state beef councils with "one-on-one" guidance in building crucial ...
Find more answers to E. coli O157:H7 Three "Best Practices" documents under development to address further reining in E. coli O157:H7 were key topics as the beef checkoff-supported Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) Executive Committee met in Denver Sept. 15. The BIFSCo is coordinated on behalf of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). "The Beef Industry Food Safety Council is an important addition to the industry's aggressive efforts to maximize food ...
Crash course in checkoff fundamentals Valentine Livestock Auction's new sale facility became a classroom when the Nebraska Beef Council and the South Dakota Beef Industry Council collaborated for the presentation of the "Beef Checkoff Roundup." Qualified state beef councils collect the checkoff whenever beef animals change ownership, through collection points such as auction markets, packing houses, feedlots and private treaty sales. To increase beef sales through advertising, the checkoff has funded national campaigns employing...
With trade all politics local In multi-lateral trade talks, such as the present Doha round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, and in bi-lateral trade talks, such as the U.S. free trade agreements with Australia, Chile, Mexico and Canada, the United States has succeeded in reducing tariffs on U.S. products exported overseas. With the accumulated success in reducing tariffs on agricultural products, the U.S. increasingly finds itself running into other, non-tariff trade barriers that restrict exports of U.S. ...
R-CALF responds to intervention R-CALF USA learned the National Meat Association (NMA) is attempting to intervene in the injunction granted in May to R-CALF USA against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent additional beef products from being imported into the U.S. from Canada, a nation where two cows, each positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), have originated from that country's native herd. McDonnell explained that while retail beef prices in the first half of 2004 have risen 7 percent above...
Japan-U.S. beef talks to resume Since that day Japan and many other beef importing countries have imposed a strict ban on U.S. beef and beef products trade. For the past few weeks, Japan s Cabinet-level Food Safety Commission has been debating whether cattle 20 months or younger should be subject to testing under the current Japanese law, which stipulates testing all cattle zero months or older--the so-called test-all policy. The USDA has also proposed 24 months as an age level at which U.S. technology and cattle age ...

September 2004
We can't have it both ways I think what you are actually saying here is we should totally co-mingle cattle and beef with Canada's so countries that trade with us have no choice between USA beef or Canadian beef. Australian beef exports to Japan have replaced ours because of the discovery of BSE in Canadian cattle. Your reasoning is that Japan will buy our beef if we accept Canadian beef and live cattle.
Subcommittee hears NAIS testimony DES MOINES (DTN)--The U.S. House Agriculture Committee's Livestock and Horticulture Subcommittee held a hearing Aug. 18, in Fayetteville, N.C. to review the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Identification System (NAIS), according to a news release. In March, the full committee held a hearing to gain an understanding of USDA's vision for a national ID system as well as hear from representatives of various producer groups. "I firmly believe the best way for a national animal ...
Japan beef deal fades away "Minister Kamei is under pressure from rural politicians, especially from Hokkaido (the largest beef producer in Japan)," said one beef industry official. Judging from recent developments, Japanese public and political sentiment has shifted away from relaxing test-all policies passed in September 2001 after the first BSE case in Japan was revealed, and it might be into 2005 before the Japanese can buy American beef. But hope lingers for a solution as a delegation of Japanese officials plans...
Facts omitted from editorial --If the USA imports beef from Canada, the likelihood that Japan will allow the USA to export to them greatly diminishes. --R-CALF USA never once as an organization said, "Keep Canadian imports of cattle and beef out of the USA forever." --USA has tested over 32,000 head and we have not had one USA originated case of BSE.
Canadian beef producers file multimillion-dollar BSE claim against U.S. PICTURE BUTTE, Alberta (AP)--A group of angry Canadian beef producers said on Aug. 13 that they have launched a multimillion-dollar suit against the U.S. government in a bid to force the reopening of the Canada-U.S. border to live cattle. The claims, filed under a provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement in Washington on Aug. 12, seek damages for investments in feedlots and farms hurt by the border closure since May 2003. Ted Haney, president of the Canada Beef Export Federation...
Wanted: Beef for EU specialty market Only two U.S. beef packers are certified for processing non-hormone beef for export to the EU. The Department's Ag Promotion Division promotes the attributes of Nebraska agricultural products and beef has been emphasized during efforts to develop international markets. Along with Greater Omaha Packing Company, MetaFoods (a meat exporting firm) and the Nebraska Beef Council have partnered with the Department to promote beef in Europe.
Veneman: No tentative agreement with Japan SPENCER, Iowa (DTN)--Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman on Sept. 15 flatly denied media reports that a tentative agreement has been reached between the U.S. and Japan on resuming beef trade. "We have held numerous discussions with Japan, trying to reach an agreement to open the market," Veneman said. Veneman also was asked if the recent discovery of another BSE-infected cow in Japan would adversely affect the negotiations to reopen trade.
U.S., Japan nearing beef agreement WASHINGTON (AP)--In a break from its steadfast ban on U.S. beef because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Japan is moving toward allowing a resumption of imports if American officials can guarantee the beef is from cattle no older than 20 months at slaughter. Japan had accounted for 37 percent of the total value of U.S. beef exports, said Dave Weaber, director of research at Cattle-Fax, a research and market analysis firm. Upon discovery of the first U.S. case of BSE, Tokyo cut off U.S. ...
U.S., Japan and BSE: A breakthrough In another surprising revelation, a confidential U.S. Department of Agriculture memo said a plan is in the works in which USDA agrees to test cattle less than 24 months old to be shipped to Japan, which abandons its rigid stance against testing cattle less than 30 months old, a cut-off age widely accepted by beef producers and consumers. Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei said Sept. 7 his ministry's intention is to study the possibility of easing existing ...
Japan won't import untested beef Japan and the United States are negotiating a compromise on BSE testing that is expected to lead to Tokyo lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports imposed last December. Japan's Food Safety Commission announced the previous week that the country could import meat from untested cows 20 months old or younger without endangering public health. Both sides are eager to strike a compromise to allow the import of U.S. beef to Japan, which used to be the most lucrative overseas market for American beef.
Groups want BSE issue to end Tokyo (DTN)--Frustrated by eight months of bovine spongiform encephalopathy stalemate over Japan's ban on U.S. beef and beef product imports, a loosely organized group that includes major U.S. international beef firms and Japanese food service organizations has resorted to a "grass roots" e-mail campaign aimed at top politicians, including the prime minister and his cabinet. "We cannot wait for the U.S. and Japanese government bureaucrats to solve the problem," one of the Japanese organizers...
BSE hasn't sunk beef industry OMAHA (DTN)--If producers had nightmares about beef consumption plummeting with the discovery of the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in December 2003, the results of a consumer survey along with increased demand for beef should put those fears to rest. Though chances are "very high" that other BSE cases will be found in the United States, Fox said, it is unlikely consumers would significantly change their beef-eating habits. About 30 percent of consumers said they would ...
Ag minister: Obstacles remain for U.S. beef imports TOKYO (AP)--Japan's agricultural minister warned Sept. 17 that obstacles remain before Japan resumes imports of U.S. beef, ahead of a meeting between the two countries' leaders in which a partial lifting of Tokyo's nine-month ban is expected to be discussed. Japan imposed the ban last December after the U.S. reported its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, shutting U.S. beef exporters out of their most lucrative overseas market. The ban also has hit Japanese businesses, which ...
Tyson cites BSE, plant closings in lower forecast SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP)--Tyson Foods Inc. on Aug. 30 cited expenses from plant closings and the effects of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and lowered its earnings forecast by 18 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had forecast Tyson to have annual earnings of $1.45 per share. Before the charges, Tyson's annual earnings forecast was $1.26 to $1.33 per share.
Ranchers query federal officials on national animal ID system "From my perspective, we're implementing animal ID for disease control and management purposes," said Bill Hawks, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. He said the coming national ID system wouldn't track meat but "absolutely" would track all animals, including those from Mexico, Canada and other countries for the purposes of animal disease control and management. Valerie E. Ragan, a veterinarian and a USDA animal health official accompanying Hawks to Rapid City, named ...
Producers must meet demands, USTR ag negotiator says So says U.S. Trade Representative chief agricultural negotiator ambassador Allen Johnson, who was in Kansas recently on a series of work days as the guest of the Kansas Wheat Commission. Disaster legislation is needed to address the hardships that agricultural producers in Kansas have faced." --Emergency assistance (with no offsets) through the Crop Disaster Program, Quality Loss Program and Livestock Assistance Program for losses sustained by producers in counties in primary or contiguous ...
Official: U.S. beef ban may stay OTTAWA (AP)--Canada's government opposition leader warned Sept. 7 that protectionist forces in the U.S. might keep the border closed to Canada's beef exports beyond 2005. While the U.S. now allows some cuts of beef to cross, live cattle exports from Canada remain banned. "Given the strength of protectionist forces in the United States and given the ongoing Liberal (government) mismanagement of Canada-U.S. relations, I do not believe we can know if the border will, in fact, reopen," ...
Japan reports BSE case TOKYO (AP)--Japan has confirmed a 12th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, an official said Sept. 13--the third case of the brain-wasting illness in the country this year. The 5-year-old dairy cow tested positive for the disease on Sept. 10 at a slaughterhouse in Shisui town in southern Kumamoto prefecture, spokesman official Toshinori Takano said. More precise tests at a state-run infectious disease research institute confirmed the finding on Sept. 13, Takano said.
Column reflects lack of understanding The reason the borders were closed is because of the Canadian cattle herds being infected with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and this country's wise choice to protect our own beef herd and our own beef producers by closing the borders. The U.S. producer and his markets have been possibly irreparably damaged because of the contamination of Canada's beef herd because of their own carelessness in allowing BSE to become prevalent in their beef herd. You owe the domestic cattle producers...
Border with Canada is anything but closed Despite the fact that Canada has had two cases of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), yes two, since the animal in the U.S. that tested positive was of Canadian origin, our border with Canada is far from closed. We are currently importing as much total beef from Canada as we did prior to the discovery of BSE in Canada. Our borders with our largest customers are closed due to Canadian BSE and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) bungling, thus denying us our rightful markets.
Working your herd this fall? Consider important cattle health issues! "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended funding for the cattle tuberculosis (TB) testing program until the end of 2004, so ranchers still can take advantage of a free TB test for their seed stock, or purebred cattle," commented Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and poultry regulatory agency. TB-free status will enhance the marketability of Texas cattle, because breeding animals could move ...
USDA hears animal I.D. concerns AMES, Iowa (DTN)--State agriculture officials from Iowa and Nebraska told U.S. Department of Agriculture officials at a public hearing Aug. 26 that they are disappointed with lack of funding to start up the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Patty Judge, said she supports an animal I.D. system, but is disappointed with how the start-up has been handled. The public hearing in Iowa was the eleventh USDA has held on the proposed voluntary animal ...
Producer support for beef checkoff remains strong A notable 70 percent of beef producers support the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff Program, according to research released Aug. 16 in Denver. Cattlemen's Beef Board Chairman Nelson Curry told Cattle Industry Summer Conference participants that July 2004 research indicates that a full 70 percent of cattlemen approve of the beef checkoff--on par with research conducted in January 2004, when the checkoff garnered a 69 percent approval rating. "Continued support for the Beef Checkoff Program is ...
Prion illness patient dies SEATTLE (AP)--A woman being treated for a brain-wasting condition believed to be related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy has died, and an autopsy may help identify the ailment, authorities said. Brain tissue from the woman will be sent to the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Wash., state health epidemiologist Dr. Jo Hofmann said. Tests on the minute amount of brain tissue taken in the biopsy indicated the presence of ...
Japan to reconsider BSE test age Japan has been demanding that the U.S. test all cows going to market as a condition for lifting its 9-month-old ban on U.S. beef imports. Sept. 6, a panel of experts told Japan's Food Safety Commission that excluding young or newborn cattle from testing wouldn't threaten consumers. Agricultural Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei said Sept. 7 that he and the Health Ministry would take another look at their testing rules.
Cattlemen's Beef Board approves fiscal 2005 budget The Cattlemen's Beef Board approved a $52.5 million beef checkoff budget for fiscal year 2005, capping a year-long planning process and several days of joint industry committee meetings to review specific proposals for checkoff funding. The breakdown of the budget recommendation, which must be approved by USDA before any funds are expended, includes the following budget elements: Promotion ($26.8 million); research ($6.95 million); consumer information ($6.4 million); industry information ($...
BSE experts probe mystery illness It was clearly not the human form of BSE, nor does it appear to have been Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a closely related condition, said Dr. Pierluigi Gambetti, director of the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center. Preliminary tests on the Harborview patient show that the disease most closely resembles an extremely rare prion disease called GSS (Gerstmann- Straussler-Scheinker), named after the three German scientists who discovered it. Harborview officials say two preliminary...

August 2004
Where's the beef? The resumption of beef exports to demand will put further pressure on the U.S. price for beef--a prospect that has U.S. cattle producers excited. With a six-month or longer delay before any decision is taken by USDA regarding livestock trade with our northern neighbors, live cattle and processed beef from Canada remains unavailable to U.S. processors and consumers. While U.S. cattle producers have undoubtedly benefited from the stoppage of cattle crossing into the U.S. from Canada, other ...
Several hundred Kansas cattle tested for BSE Kansas--which ranks second in the nation with 6.65 million cattle on its ranches and feedyards--tested 664 cattle as of Aug. 12, according to the Kansas Animal Health Department. Brian Archer, a veterinarian for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Kansas, said he is optimistic about his agency meeting the target number of BSE tests in Kansas. While Kansas and the rest of the nation gears up to test high-risk cattle for BSE, the USDA has not budged on its refusal to let ...
Seminar on Livestock Risk Protection Insurance set for Aug. 30 in Grand Island LINCOLN, Neb., (NC)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency has announced that sales of the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance policies will resume Oct. 1. Based on premiums, Nebraska producers purchased over 70 percent of the fed cattle LRP contracts and nearly 50 percent of all LRP contracts last year. The seminar is part of a grant Nebraska Cattlemen, the Nebraska Pork Producers and Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation received from ...
Sebelius experiences farm life during tour Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius visited Gray County Aug. 24 during the Kansas Farm Bureau Governor's Farm and Ranch Tour, and received first hand exposure of what life is like for farmers and ranchers on the other side of the state. Sebelius recognized the importance of the day as well as the incredible importance of rural issues--acknowledging the priority of beef, tourism, rural health care and education have in Gray County. Researchers have said that when people want to visit Kansas, ...
Livestock insurance to resume DES MOINES (DTN)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture will resume sales of the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance policies October 1, according to a USDA news release. On July 29, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors approved the resumption of sales and expansion of the LRP program for fed and feeder cattle and swine pending final policy revisions and determination of a sales date by the Risk Management Agency (RMA). The ...
Japanese grocery executives look to reopening beef trade While the U.S. and Japan governments continue to negotiate to reopen markets for beef, Japanese supermarket executives are anxious to formulate a plan to reintroduce U.S. beef to their customers in Japan. The Japanese executives met with Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky as well as officials from the Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas Beef Council. As the Kansas Beef brand became more ...
IA Quality Beef to temporarily suspend operations at Tama plant Iowa Quality Beef, LLC has announced a temporary layoff and suspension of operations at its Tama beef processing plant. A joint statement was released Aug. 18 by American Foods Group and the Iowa Quality Beef Supply Cooperative, the two companies which make up the Iowa Quality Beef, LLC. Many companies involved in the beef industry, including IQB, have experienced significant losses," said Wythe Willey, chairman of the board of Iowa Quality Beef Supply Cooperative (IQBSC).
Human BSE infection may be more widespread Countries around the world have tightened blood safety regulations to keep vCJD-infected blood out of the blood supply and banned blood products from Britain. However, people could still pass on the infection through blood transfusions or surgical equipment before they develop symptoms. In a second study published in The Lancet, scientists found that filtering out white blood cells--a technique introduced a few years ago--was only partially effective at removing the disease from the blood ...
Cattle producers address top priorities, policy issues at summer conference Cattle producers reviewed major policy issues affecting cattle operations and the overall state of the industry. --Animal Identification System Oversight: NCBA members agree that implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will have major impacts on the beef cattle production and marketing system, affecting all cattle producers. --NCBA Producer Education Initiatives: NCBA strongly encourages state and local affiliate organizations to maintain and expand their producer...
A media bash The headline read, "Patient with mad-cow-like brain ailment dies." The only mention of "mad cow" was in the headline and in two references saying a women died of a "mad-cow-like disease." In contrast, the Journal's headline for a similar story is, "BSE experts probe mystery illness."
World sheep, wool congress closes More than 650 participants from 12 countries convened in Quebec City, Canada, last week for the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress. American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) president, Guy Flora, presented the "Portrait of the International Ovine Industry" during the opening session of the Congress. ASI was a Silver Level Sponsor of the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress.
USDA to require more data before announcing BSE test results WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. government is setting more stringent standards for when it will announce that an initial screening test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy has yielded a suspicious result, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If either additional sample yielded inconclusive results, the findings would be announced publicly and definitive tests would be conducted at the department's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Under the screening system the...
RMFU urges "producer-friendly" animal ID system His suggestions were presented Aug. 10, in Greeley, Colo., at a USDA listening session on a proposed national animal identification program. "I urged USDA to ensure that producers are not bearing the brunt for a national animal identification system," Macy said. Regarding the proposed identification system's interface with country-of-origin labeling, Macy said that one of USDA's stated goals to implementing a national animal identification system is "to provide information for mandatory ...
Polansky comments on FDA's proposed rules for animal feed TOPEKA, Kan., (KDA)--Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky Aug. 13 submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration on its proposal to change feed regulations to more effectively prevent bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, in American cattle. In his letter, Polansky told FDA that, absent other actions, including an outright ban on specified risk materials, he supports removing exemptions that allow blood and blood products, plate waste and poultry litter to be used in ...
KLA, Kansas Beef Council host Japanese beef buyers The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Kansas Beef Council (KBC) hosted a group of Japanese supermarket executives and importers Aug. 2 for a discussion about the safety of U.S. beef. Others participating in the function at the KLA office were Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, National Beef, Excel, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and staff from the offices of Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback. "It was very apparent our Japanese business partners want to ...
Japan to raise tariffs on pork imports The step is allowed under WTO rules that say Japan can impose emergency tariffs when quarterly imports exceed 19 percent or more of the average amount imported for the same period during the previous three years. Japan imported 316,755 tons of pork in the April-June quarter. Last year, Japan's pork imports totaled 778,695 tons, accounting for about 45 percent of the nation's total pork consumption.
Extension beef economist retires amid steady prices, demand For more than 35 years, Dr. Ernie Davis has served as Texas' leading beef marketing economist, monitoring and forecasting beef trends and prices. While beef prices have been the highest he has seen in his career, Davis has decided to retire at a time when the beef industry is at its peak. Davis said beef producers are continuing to enjoy strong demand for beef and predicts fed cattle prices to remain steady through the end of 2004.
Enzi applauds USDA for change in BSE test policy (AP)--Sen. Mike Enzi, R-WY, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more stringent standards to determine when initial results of suspicious tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy are announced. Enzi was among the members of Congress who asked the agency to re-examine its policy of releasing inconclusive rapid-screening test results. If either additional sample yielded inconclusive results, the findings would be announced publicly and definitive tests would be conducted at the ...
Dairyman's BSE story posted on USDA website The agency wanted to use his story as a real-life example to reach out to dairies and cattle producers that might find themselves at the center of another BSE storm, said Andrea McNally, a USDA spokeswoman. The USDA announced last December that a dairy cow in Mabton had tested positive for the brain-wasting illness. In the story posted on the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service website, Wavrin recalls his anxious feelings when he first learned the infected cow was a Holstein from his ...
Beef still strong commodity, despite industry bumps ENID, Okla. (AP)--Beef is a commodity product and those in the business should expect a few bumps in the road, said Derrell Peel, Extension livestock and marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University's department of economics. Animal health, political decisions and even terrorist threats could affect the beef business, but that probably won't affect the bottom line for ranchers. Isolated cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy may be reported in the future, but U.S. Department of ...
APHIS alters BSE announcement strategy Improvements in BSE testing protocols by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will continue the agency's science-based approach to identifying and announcing potential BSE cases, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). APHIS announced today that it will now wait until the second and third concurrent rapid tests are conducted before declaring a test sample inconclusive. According to APHIS Chief Veterinarian John ...
World sheep, wool congress closes More than 650 participants from 12 countries convened in Quebec City, Canada, last week for the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress. American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) president, Guy Flora, presented the "Portrait of the International Ovine Industry" during the opening session of the Congress. ASI was a Silver Level Sponsor of the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress.
USDA to require more data before announcing BSE test results WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. government is setting more stringent standards for when it will announce that an initial screening test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy has yielded a suspicious result, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If either additional sample yielded inconclusive results, the findings would be announced publicly and definitive tests would be conducted at the department's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Under the screening system the...
KLA, Kansas Beef Council host Japanese beef buyers The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Kansas Beef Council (KBC) hosted a group of Japanese supermarket executives and importers Aug. 2 for a discussion about the safety of U.S. beef. Others participating in the function at the KLA office were Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, National Beef, Excel, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and staff from the offices of Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback. "It was very apparent our Japanese business partners want to ...
Japan to raise tariffs on pork imports The step is allowed under WTO rules that say Japan can impose emergency tariffs when quarterly imports exceed 19 percent or more of the average amount imported for the same period during the previous three years. Japan imported 316,755 tons of pork in the April-June quarter. Last year, Japan's pork imports totaled 778,695 tons, accounting for about 45 percent of the nation's total pork consumption.
Enzi applauds USDA for change in BSE test policy (AP)--Sen. Mike Enzi, R-WY, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more stringent standards to determine when initial results of suspicious tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy are announced. Enzi was among the members of Congress who asked the agency to re-examine its policy of releasing inconclusive rapid-screening test results. If either additional sample yielded inconclusive results, the findings would be announced publicly and definitive tests would be conducted at the ...
Dairyman's BSE story posted on USDA website The agency wanted to use his story as a real-life example to reach out to dairies and cattle producers that might find themselves at the center of another BSE storm, said Andrea McNally, a USDA spokeswoman. The USDA announced last December that a dairy cow in Mabton had tested positive for the brain-wasting illness. In the story posted on the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service website, Wavrin recalls his anxious feelings when he first learned the infected cow was a Holstein from his ...
Beef still strong commodity, despite industry bumps ENID, Okla. (AP)--Beef is a commodity product and those in the business should expect a few bumps in the road, said Derrell Peel, Extension livestock and marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University's department of economics. Animal health, political decisions and even terrorist threats could affect the beef business, but that probably won't affect the bottom line for ranchers. Isolated cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy may be reported in the future, but U.S. Department of ...
APHIS alters BSE announcement strategy as testing proficiency improves Improvements in BSE testing protocols by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will continue the agency's science-based approach to identifying and announcing potential BSE cases, according to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). APHIS announced today that it will now wait until the second and third concurrent rapid tests are conducted before declaring a test sample inconclusive. According to APHIS Chief Veterinarian John ...
U.S. scientists visit Tokyo TOKYO (AP)--A U.S. scientific team seeking to reopen Japan's markets for American beef is scheduled to begin two days of discussions with Japanese scientists July 21, amid reports that Tokyo may offer concessions to end a dispute over testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Tokyo--which has had its own outbreaks and now tests all cattle killed for food--has said it won't let U.S. beef be sold here until Washington adopts blanket testing of slaughtered cows for the sickness. U.S. ...
Scientists make artificial prion WASHINGTON (AP)--California scientists say they have created the first synthetic version of a rogue protein called a prion and used it to give mice a brain-destroying infection, evidence important to settling any lingering doubt these mysterious substances alone cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy and similar illnesses. The work marks "a renaissance in prion research," said Dr. Stanley Prusiner of the University of California, San Francisco, who won a Nobel Prize for discovering prions ...
Report: U.S., Japan agree on science of BSE, deal nearing TOKYO (AP)--After months of wrangling, Japanese and U.S. scientists agreed July 22 to recommend an end to tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in young and newborn cattle--a compromise that could bring about an end Tokyo's ban on American beef. The scientific report is expected to form the basis of a pact to reopen Japan's markets to U.S. beef between top U.S. and Japanese officials, Dr. Peter Fernandez, the Agriculture Department official leading the U.S. team, said in a brief ...
OCM to USDA: Don't tell us DES MOINES (DTN)--The Organization for Competitive Markets urged U.S. Department of Agriculture to reverse its policy of announcing inconclusive test results for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, estimating that the practice may be costing cattle producers more than $6 million per day in lost market revenue, according to a press release. OCM President Fred Stokes complained that USDA is withholding all information (country of origin, age, breed, location, etc.) about the animal in question, ...
Live, broadcast forums bring cattle issues to light at summer conference On Wednesday evening, leaders from the CBB and NCBA will hold separate 45 minute officers' forums via satellite on RFD-TV. Beef and cattle producers from around the nation can call into a toll-free number provided on screen to ask questions of, and provide input to, beef industry leaders. During the broadcast, 45 minutes, funded through the national Beef Checkoff Program, will be dedicated to checkoff programs.
Harkin seeks answers about USDA's BSE testing approach WASHINGTON- Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) sent a letter July 21 to Comptroller General David Walker requesting the Government Accountability Office (formerly the General Accounting Office) look into questions regarding the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) handling of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance. "USDA is still stumbling to pull together a coherent strategy and program of BSE testing and other measures to protect U.S. consumers and our beef industry against the risks of ...
BSE case confirmed in Italy ROME (AP)--A 7-year-old cow from a breeding farm in northwestern Italy has tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, bringing to 122 the number of cases detected in the nation since testing began in 2001, the Health Ministry said July 19. The confirmation of the disease in the animal from Cuneo, an area about 75 kilometers (45 miles) south of Turin, was Italy's fifth confirmed case this year. The European Union requires tests on cattle older than 30 months destined for slaughter...
Beef group wants mandatory COOL R-CALF USA disagrees with supporters of the Goodlatte-Stenholm bill, who say mandatory COOL (country-of-origin labeling) is too difficult and too costly to implement, but R-CALF USA does support the efforts of Rehberg and Peterson who are working to quickly implement mandatory COOL. Cattle-producer members of R-CALF USA and its affiliates want to provide U.S. consumers with several choices: the option to purchase beef exclusively produced in the United States, or the option to purchase beef ...
Baucus: U.S., Japan close to agreement to resume beef exports BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--Sen. Max Baucus said July 20 he believes U.S. and Japanese officials are on the verge of an agreement that could allow the resumption of U.S. beef shipments to that country. Baucus expressed optimism after speaking with Japan's ambassador to the United States, whom the Montana Democrat described as "upbeat" and giving "strong assurances" about the prospect of an agreement soon. However, Baucus said he believed Japan would ease up on certain testing requirements for ...
Another BSE case found in Czech Republic Josef Duben, a spokesman for the state veterinary authority, said preliminary tests showed the 5-year-old animal positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease. The Czech Republic's first case of the brain disease was reported in June 2001. Some 600,000 cows have been tested in the Czech Republic for BSE since Feb. 1, 2001, Duben said.
Western Canada beef group seeks indepence from U.S. The Beef Initiative is seeking construction of a large meatpacking plant to be funded partly by cattle producers and owned by Canadian interests. Ostercamp said the plant could draw business from five provinces and help producers in Canada gain control of their industry. He said construction would hinge on partial government funding with the bulk of the investment to come from cattle producers through a per-head levy on producer-owned animals.
USDA, HHS strengthen safeguards against BSE FDA also issued an interim final rule that prohibits the use of cattle-derived materials that can carry the BSE-infectious agent in human foods, including certain meat-based products and dietary supplements, and in cosmetics. In conjunction with the publication of the interim final rule, FDA is also proposing to require that manufacturers and processors of FDA-regulated human food and cosmetics containing cattle-derived material maintain records showing that prohibited materials are not used...
USDA delays safety measures to protect against BSE On June 9 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) once again delayed implementation of safety measures that each had promised since January. These measures include banning the use of blood and blood products, and poultry waste from cattle feed--measures that have been scientifically validated as ways to protect against the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. USDA also delayed its promised measures to ...
U.S. ban on Canadian beef putting farmers out of business STEWIACKE, Nova Scotia --Canadian farmer Curtis Moxsom likes Americans. An Alberta cow found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, in May 2003 led to the U.S. ban on Canadian beef imports. Dopp said the ban has helped U.S. cattlemen because the lack of Canadian livestock has forced market prices higher.
Understanding the animal-ID system OMAHA (DTN)--To understand why the U.S. is about to adopt a national animal-identification program, it is helpful to consider three incidents. Under an animal-identification program, each animal would be assigned a number, as would every "premise" handling animals. Some might think an animal-identification system would be essential to establishing an animal's country of origin, but the legislation establishing COOL forbids USDA from using a mandatory animal-identification system in ...
Texas rancher says he profits from animal ID Having used electronic ID tags since 1996 at Broseco, Woodward is a firm believer in the proposed National Animal ID System, which U.S. Department of Agriculture officials hope to implement soon. In 1996, while attempting to create better value, Woodward first started using the electronic ID system when Broseco Ranches joined a group called Ranchers Renaissance. Woodward said an animal-ID system will help protect the U.S. cattle industry from being shut out of export markets due to a ...
Japan considers BSE testing rules that exclude young cattle Current testing methods aren't sensitive enough to detect the disease in young and newborn cows, Kyodo News agency reported, citing an unidentified government source. A government panel will meet later this month to consider whether to eliminate testing for cows killed for food that are younger than 20 months--which accounts for about 80 percent of U.S. cattle slaughtered, Kyodo reported. Japan and the United States have been locked in a dispute over testing standards since Tokyo imposed a ...
Progress made on Japan beef ban TOKYO (AP)--After months of wrangling, Japanese and U.S. scientists agreed Thursday to recommend an end to tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in young and newborn cattle--a compromise that could bring about an end to Tokyo's ban on American beef. The scientific report is expected to form the basis of a pact to reopen Japan's markets to U.S. beef between top U.S. and Japanese officials, Dr. Peter Fernandez, the Agriculture Department official leading the U.S. team, said in a brief ...
Mixed reaction to FDA BSE move The agency said July 9 that it wanted to consider additional restrictions to feed proposals announced in January. The proposals would strengthen a 1997 rule that says cattle feed cannot contain protein made from other cattle. The FDA said in January it wanted to stop cattle blood from getting into livestock feed.
Mandatory BSE testing no improvement Even under mandatory testing, if a producer didn't want an animal tested, "it would be very difficult for us to find out," said Dr. Ron DeHaven, administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. DeHaven spoke with reporters after a joint hearing of the House Agriculture and Government Reform committees to discuss surveillance for BSE. The department expanded its testing program after a Holstein cow in Washington state was found in December to have BSE.
Long-time rancher questions animal ID DOUGLAS, Ariz. (DTN)--Stan Smith is as stoic and rugged as the Arizona desert where he raises cattle. The proposed National Animal ID System, which USDA and APHIS are trying to implement on a voluntary basis, doesn't get Smith, who has an allotment for 190 cows, excited about the future. Talk about old-fashioned technology--Smith still brands his cows, as do many ranchers around the country, he said.
Legislators head for a summer break full of questions Drought, resumption of beef sales to Japan, expanded BSE testing, disaster relief, trade, environmental regulations and many other issues are among the topics that congressmen and senators will hear about from their producer-constituents. As we enter the first part of the intense election cycle, two issues seemed poised to lay claim as the dominate topic--continued drought and federal disaster assistance along with the resumption of beef sales to Japan and USDA's handling of BSE testing. The...
Japan moving to ease BSE testing TOKYO (DTN)--In what may turn out to be a major initiative to ease Japan's domestic "test all" cows BSE policy--a major stumbling block to reviving U.S. beef exports--a government panel is expected to recommend excluding from the tests cows aged 20 months of age or younger. The deliberations of the FSC are expected to lead to a government policy change by the time a high-level meeting of U.S. and Japanese government officials in August (at which the FSC has "observer" status). Japanese ...
Iowa Quality Beef labeled meat now at Des Moines DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)--A supermarket chain has begun stocking meat that's labeled as Iowa Quality Beef, a brand that comes from a farmer-owned meatpacking plant in Tama. Dahl's supermarkets in the Des Moines area are test-marketing beefsteaks produced by the central Iowa meatpacking plant, stocking T-bone and porterhouse steaks bearing the Iowa Quality Beef label. Nissen said he thinks customers are looking for quality, something Iowa Quality Beef can deliver.
Feed rules devalue renderers products FDA is asking if scientific evidence exists to ban all animal protein from cattle feed, and whether it should prohibit cattle remains from being used to make pet food. Scenario I: Total animal protein feed ban to all ruminant animals. Scenario II: Total ban on the feeding of ruminant protein to all farmed animals, including ruminant meat and bone meal to swine and poultry and ruminant blood meal and plasma to dairy, beef, swine, and poultry.
FDA to impose bovine product ban WASHINGTON (AP)--Closing loopholes in protections against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the Food and Drug Administration on July 9 banned using brains and other cattle parts that could carry the disease's infectious agent from use in cosmetics and dietary supplements. The action puts the agency's restrictions in line with those issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep those cattle parts out of meat after the brain-wasting disease was found in December in a Holstein cow in ...
FAIR: A Pilot for National ID The pilot program they chose was the Holstein Association's National Farm Animal Identification and Records or FAIR. FAIR was developed as a pilot project for a national livestock identification program that would track livestock from farm to farm, farm to market and market to processing unit. Richard Cronce, executive director of information systems for FAIR, said the ear tag gives the government the animal ID number, a premise ID number and the date of birth, slaughter or any movement.
Failure to communicate The field day will be held at the East Crawford Recreation Area on Markley Road between Crawford Street and Magnolia Road. Agriculture events include: a subsurface drip irrigation field day at Colby on Aug. 10, the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field Day at Rossville on Aug. 10 and a regional employee management conference for production agriculture in Oklahoma City on Aug. 12 and 13. The K-State Ag Research Center will hold their Fall Field Day on Aug. 24. There will be an advanced ...
Excel, Tyson support ID plan Excel spokesman Mark Klein told DTN the ID program would serve multiple purposes and benefit the whole beef industry. Officials at Tyson Fresh Meats (formerly IBP), said an animal-ID system will allow producers, processors and regulators to trace and contain food- animal diseases. Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Tyson Foods, said the main benefit from an animal ID system it gives meatpackers the ability to trace back products to individual animals and to the animals' birth premises.
Enzi: USDA mad cow policy hurting producers (AP)--The federal government's testing policy for bovine spongiform encephalopathy is creating doubts among consumers and nervousness in cattle markets, Sen. Mike Enzi said. The Republican senator wrote a letter July 21 to Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman decrying the release of preliminary test results on cattle to determine if they have BSE. "The policy of the United States Department of Agriculture of releasing 'inconclusive' test results, obtained in a rapid screening test for BSE, ...
CSU relations department earns national award for BSE response The 2004 Award for Publication Excellence was given to Colorado State's media relations team of Brad Bohlander, June Greist and Dell Rae Moellenberg for their work on the university's BSE response campaign. The award was given by the national professional public relations and marketing group, Communications Concepts, in the category of Public Relations and Information Campaigns. Out of 329 international entries in the category of Campaigns, Programs and Plans, 18, including Colorado State, ...
Care urged in reaction to BSE tests SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--South Dakota congressional candidates say the U.S. Department of Agriculture should consider holding information on possible cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy until it is sure of tests. It's best to go slow in releasing incomplete information, said Republican Larry Diedrich, Herseth's general election opponent. "South Dakota is such a large beef state, and the market reacts from a test that is done.
Another BSE case found in Czech Republic Josef Duben, a spokesman for the state veterinary authority, said preliminary tests showed the 5-year-old animal positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease. The Czech Republic's first case of the brain disease was reported in June 2001. Some 600,000 cows have been tested in the Czech Republic for BSE since Feb. 1, 2001, Duben said.
AMI: U.S. response to BSE extraordinary; reflects decade of planning, preparation "We will not experience the animal disease epidemic or the number of human illnesses that occurred in the U.K. because we took preventive steps to protect both human and animal health. We will not experience the animal disease epidemic or the number of human illnesses that occurred in the U.K. because we took preventive steps to protect both human and animal health," Hodges said. "The fact is, the risk of BSE in U.S. cattle is very low and the risk to human health from BSE is even lower," ...

July 2004
Roberts speaks to AFBF state presidents On July 12, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts discussed challenges facing the agriculture community in a speech to the 2004 American Farm Bureau Federation Council of State Presidents. "Although the Intelligence Committee has required a large portion of my time," Senator Roberts said, "I assure you that I have also remained actively involved in agriculture and the Agriculture Committee. Senator Roberts said he had real concerns with any proposal to eliminate or restructure food aid programs.
Japan moves toward easing test-all plan Japan has insisted a resumption of U.S. beef imports will depend on the U.S. adopting the equivalent of a "test-all" cattle policy on beef bound for the Japanese consumer--America's biggest foreign market for its beef. In the end, since about 80 percent of beef cattle are slaughtered before 20 months of age, Japan might be flexible and just accept that the exportable U.S. beef is younger than 20 months. On July 15, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker told reporters that although he cannot...
Herseth gets input on release of BSE tests PIERRE, S.D. (AP)--U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-SD, said July 12 she will ask federal agriculture officials why inconclusive test results on bovine spongiform encephalopathy are released when conclusive results are available within a few days. The congresswoman met with farmers and cattle feeders early July 12 in Sioux Falls and on July 10 in Yankton to talk about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent handling of inconclusive tests for the disease. U.S. Depeartment of Agriculture ...
Comittee holds joint hearing to review BSE cattle surveillance program Washington- The House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Government Reform held a joint hearing June 14 to review the Department of Agriculture's expanded Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) cattle surveillance program. Chairman Bob Goodlatte noted at the outset, that this hearing marked a continuation of the rigorous oversight that the House Agriculture Committee has exercised regarding the Department's BSE surveillance programs, particularly in light of the discovery of...
Just a scoop full They also pass on buying fat cattle at certain feedlots at various weeks to force them to be more willing sellers the next week. The cattle market is a bit out of whack as far as fat cattle futures for August through December, with those months trading between $83 per hundredweight and $86 per hundredweight. Fat cattle last week traded at $85 to $86 per hundredweight and expected to trade at $83 to $84 this week.
NAFTA: 10 years later KSU ag conference features hot topics "NAFTA has expanded U.S. agricultural trade with Canada and Mexico, dramatically affecting some agricultural commodities - boosting trade substantially above levels that would have occurred without the agreement - while generating a more subtle, positive effect for most others," according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. Amanor-Boadu is an assistant professor in the department of agricultural economics and the director of Kansas Ag Innovation ...
Moran takes part in hearing on BSE testing process WASHINGTON- Congressman Jerry Moran announced July 9 that he will take part in a joint hearing next week of the House Agriculture and Government Reform committees to review the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) process of testing for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). "Since the first case of BSE was discovered last December, USDA has been attempting to get a testing process in place that works well for the industry, for producers and for the consumer," Moran said. In addition to...
Livestock producers must speak up on animal ID The topic for the session will be the development, structure and implementation of a national animal identification (ID) program for all livestock and poultry animals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Lee explained. NMCGA has been deeply involved in the debate regarding a national ID system that could impose a great deal of cost on livestock producers, Lee said. --Because a national ID plan will be federally mandated, there must be federal funding to assist producers in implementing an...
Japan waits for U.S. BSE test The precedent for such a system was created last summer when a Beef Export Verification (BEV) system was created to assure banned Canadian beef would be not be mixed with U.S. beef exports to Japan. The U.S. revealed its first BSE case in Washington state Dec. 23, which triggered a near-worldwide ban on exports of all U.S. beef and beef products. Even without the specter of a second U.S. BSE case, the prospects of moving U.S. beef to Japan will take time.
Farmfest forum panelists announced for 2004 Farmfest will feature an exciting line-up of Feature Forums and a special Farm Family Recognition Event in 2004, according to Kent Thiesse, Farmfest Forum Coordinator. The Feature Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 10:30 a.m. is titled "Conservation Provisions In The farm bill... This Forum will feature John Monson, Minnesota State Farm Service Agency Director and Bill Hunt, Minnesota State Conservationist for the NRCS.
Checkoff-funded programs earn advertising, marketing awards These programs are funded byAmerica's beef producers through the Beef Checkoff Program, which is administered by the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. It's What's For Dinner" beef enjoyment campaign has been awarded an EFFIE, one of the advertising industry's most coveted and prestigious national awards. It's What's For Dinner" advertising campaign was managed for the Cattlemen's Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and created ...
Cattle feeding recaps surprising profits By April, the average loss was about $20 per head, although cash cattle prices were rebounding from winter lows, Jones said. , June closeouts returned an average of nearly $124 profit per head to cattle feeders, Jones said. Average returns are currently expected to decline, and perhaps turn negative by November unless slaughter cattle prices end up higher than current forecasts."
Canada PM's comment on U.S. feed unfounded Grassie was quick to point out neither the investigation conducted by the Canadian government nor the U.S. government indicated that feed or feed ingredients from the U.S. were implicated in the feeding of these animals. "We understood that the source of the feed for both animals was traced to one or two feed mills in a single province in Canada, not the United States," Grassie said. "We believe the Prime Minister didn't mean to say that U.S. feed caused the BSE," Alain Charette, CFIA media...
USDA promises to be open with BSE test WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture is defending its decision to release results of preliminary tests that raise concern about a possible BSE disease infection when the initial findings may well be wrong. The announcement June 25 that a cow carcass had not passed a preliminary screening test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy caused concern on commodity markets, worried consumers and angered some farmers. The lab is continuing tests on a second carcass that failed an ...
Three nations discuss animal health, livestock ID Animal Health officials from three western U.S. states, the Navajo Nation and Chihuahua, Mexico met on June 10 to discuss issues of common interest in animal health and livestock identification. The group agreed to create a regional consortium to seek federal funding to address shared and unique national animal identification program implementation issues, including how to best utilize local resources, and brand inspection departments in particular; track animals that move between states and ...
Swiss zoo reports BSE case in zebu BERN, Switzerland (AP)--Swiss veterinarians said July 2 they have discovered the world's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a dwarf zebu. While regular zebus are a type of domesticated cattle found throughout Asia and Africa, the dwarf zebu is a distinct species. Although there has never been a BSE case reported in a dwarf zebu before, British zoos have found the disease in other bovines, including kudus, bison, elands and nyalas.
Second animal tested shows no signs of BSE WASHINGTON (AP)--A second animal tested recently for bovine spongiform encephalopathy proved free of the brain-wasting ailment. John Clifford, deputy administrator of the department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said in a brief statement that the animal tested negative for BSE using the "gold-standard" chemical test. More than 8,500 animals have been tested under new screening procedures that started June 1 to address complaints that too few animals in the United States are ...
Rapid BSE tests a necessity DES MOINES (DTN)--As a rapid testing program for bovine spongiform encephalopathy continues to ramp up in the United States, false positives will continue to crop up, according to a Purdue University veterinary pathologist in a Purdue press release. "The rapid test has two advantages: It's very quick, and large numbers of animals can be tested with automated equipment," said Leon Thacker, who also is director of the Indiana Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Animals tested for bovine spongiform...
Optimism abounds at ICA Summer Conference Beef producers who converged on Ames for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) Summer Conference and Trade Show were generally optimistic about their industry as a result of good beef prices and consumer demand for their product. The 2004 ICA Summer Conference and Trade Show offered many informational sessions and seminars on cattle health and production, as well as BSE testing, national animal identification and the Certified Angus Beef program. New to the ICA Summer Conference and Trade ...
Opinions differ on releasing early BSE tests GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP)--Releasing preliminary test results for bovine spongiform encephalopathy could unnecessarily drive down cattle prices, Gov. Mike Johanns argues. Cattle futures prices fell sharply June 28 in response to the June 25 announcement, rebounded on June 29 but fell again on June 30 after a second inconclusive BSE test was announced. Federal agriculture officials had warned that more testing for BSE would bring inconclusive tests requiring follow up testing, Mark said.
Operating committee recommends beef checkoff budget The Beef Promotion Operating Committee this week recommended a $52.5 million beef checkoff budget for fiscal year 2005, reflecting an increase of about 3.9% from the $50.5 million initial budget for fiscal 2004. The breakdown of the budget recommendation, which must be approved by the full Beef Board and USDA before any funds are expended, includes the following budget elements: promotion ($26.8 million); research ($6.95 million); consumer information ($6.4 million); industry information ($...
Official discusses BSE policy implications during symposium The Food & Agricultural Products Center hosted a Food Safety Symposium to discuss prions and enterotoxins. Daniel Engeljohn, executive associate of policy analysis and formulation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, gave a presentation on policy implications at USDA-FSIS concerning bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. "Dr. Engeljohn's experience with food safety issues and the policies of the USDA and FSIS was an important contribution to the ...
OFB urges increased risk protection for beef producers In an effort to increase risk protection for Oklahoma cattle producers, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has joined with U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Cattlemen's Assoc. to ask the USDA to expand the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). "We would like to see fed cattle added to LRP coverage," Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, said, "because many of our producers feed cattle and they need the financial protection." "The (LRP) ...
LMA criticizes USDA, citing BSE announcement had 'devasting impact' on market Citing its devastating impact on livestock producers, the cash and futures market, Livestock Marketing Association's executive committee has sharply criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture's policy of announcing inconclusive test results for mad cow disease. "There is no justification for USDA's current policy, considering what it's done to America's livestock producers," said LMA President Randy Patterson. "Immediately after these announcements, the livestock futures market and the ...
Is USDA controlling BSE info? WASHINGTON (DTN)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture appears to have lost control over the release of information on tests of cattle for BSE. Details about the first two inconclusive rapid tests are being reported by various sources before USDA has released them officially. At 7 p.m., June 29 USDA sent an e-mail to agriculture reporters saying a second cow had an inconclusive test, but did not release the age or location of the cow.
Groups chide U.S. response to BSE Six "D's" were given in the areas of: testing cattle 20 months or older; ensuring feed restrictions; increasing surveillance for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of BSE; strengthening authority to recall tainted meat; implementing use of countryof-origin labels; and allowing for public input. The "F's" were for not allowing private cattle producers to test their cattle voluntarily for mad cow disease and for breaking its own Agriculture Department rules meant to prevent the ...
Consumers can remain confident in beef safety The USDA announced June 30, that the animal which produced an "inconclusive" preliminary test for BSE on June 25 was not infected with BSE. Top scientists, government experts and food industry leaders agree that U.S. beef remains safe and the risk of BSE to humans is near zero. To learn more about BSE testing, information, including the latest press releases, can be found at www.BSEinfo.org. Providing safe and wholesome beef to our consumers remains a top priority for America's beef ...
Chance of error in test unknown DES MOINES (DTN)--Aside from being surprised U.S. Department of Agriculture announced 'inconclusive' bovine spongiform encephal test results June 25, experts say the likelihood of a false positive result is hard to project because of human error that exists with the rapid screening tests. Of the 12 USDA laboratories approved for rapid-BSE testing, seven conduct testing with automatic robotic equipment created to minimize human error. USDA on June 1 began using rapid-test kits that carry a ...
Beef industry leaders hold satellite officers' forum Leaders from the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) will hold an officers' forum on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. MDT that will also be broadcast live via satellite on RFD-TV. Beef and cattle producers from around the nation can call into a toll-free number provided on screen to ask questions of and provide input to beef industry leaders. CBB Chairman Nelson Curry, a producer from Paris, Ky., and CBB Chief ...
Beef breakthrough with Japan? or delay? On the morning of June 18, two Japanese newspapers reported Japan is thinking of partially lifting its ban on U.S. beef imports to allow imports of youngish beef from the U.S. But DTN's Richard Hanson notices the new approaches appear to delay the date U.S. beef may return to Japan into 2005. Will Japan be able to win support from the U.S. to lift its September 2001 ban on Japanese beef imports, put in place when Japan announced its first BSE case.
APHIS offers BSE risk hotline DES MOINES (DTN)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a toll-free number to report high-risk cattle in the United States. As part of its expanded BSE surveillance effort, APHIS will work closely with cattle producers, renderers, veterinarians, and others to obtain samples from high-risk cattle targeted in this program. Toll-free callers reporting high-risk cattle will connect with a local APHIS office that will provide additional ...
Just a Scoop Full Most of the attention from cattlemen this past week has been focused on the inconclusive BSE tests. By Wednesday, they had released information that another animal had tested inconclusive also. Current testing is sensitive and leads to inconclusive results and more testing must be done.
UNL specalists say public should be prepared for more inconclusive BSE tests David Smith and David Steffen, veterinary scientists in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the larger sampling of animals in the USDA's expanded BSE surveillance testing will result in more inconclusive findings from initial rapid screening. "Anytime you expand testing, you are bound to have more tests that are inconclusive," Smith said. If a rapid screening test is inconclusive, additional more specific tests at the National Veterinary Laboratory will ...
Teagarden: Suspect BSE case not from Kansas Kansas Animal Health Commissioner George Teagarden said the animal could not have been from Kansas since he has gotten no official word from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the case. As of June 27, 96 animals from Kansas had been tested since the expanded program began June 1, said Kevin Varner, the APHIS veterinarian in charge of the Kansas BSE-testing program. While Kansas is doing some testing for BSE, the program is still not at full speed in part because the USDA has not yet ...
Producers should remain vigilant in monitoring animal health Amid suspicion of the first U.S.-origin case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a Kansas State University veterinarian is advising cattle producers to be ever-watchful for signs of disease in their herds. Larry Hollis, beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension, also is urging producers to report unusual symptoms to their veterinarian as soon as possible. BSE is a progressive degeneration of the nervous system that is fatal.
Lawmaker pushes USDA on BSE testing WASHINGTON (AP)--A Kansas congressman tried June 23 to punish the U.S. Department of Agriculture until it lets meatpackers test all their animals for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. He had proposed in an amendment to a spending bill to halt all travel by Agriculture Department employees. At issue is the desire by Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC to voluntarily test all animals at its Arkansas City, Kan., facility to inspire Japanese confidence in its beef.
KS ag secretary commissions study of financial impact of BSE Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky announced July 1 that he has commissioned a report by Kansas State University agricultural economists that assesses the financial impact of bovine spongiform encephalopathy on the U.S. cattle and beef sectors. Polansky asked K-State economists to document costs associated with: losses in export markets that occurred since Dec. 23, 2003; changes in cattle procurement practices, packing plant and rendering operations, and beef and offal product ...
Japan talks tough about BSE tests ahead of talks with U.S. TOKYO (AP)--Japan remains steadfastly opposed to dropping its import ban on American beef until U.S. authorities agree to test all cattle for bovine spongiform encephaplopathy, an official said June 18, despite media reports suggesting a compromise may be in the works. Agricultural Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei said Tokyo tests all of its herds for the lethal brain-wasting illness--and expects the same level of vigilance in countries that ship beef to Japan. Japan joined about 30 other nations ...
'Inconclusive' BSE test confirmed negative Larson likened the difference between the two tests for BSE to the difference between a home pregnancy test and the test administered by a physician. "Just like a home pregnancy test provides a result quicker than a test at the doctor's office, ELISA provides results quicker than immunohistochemistry," he explained. Larson added that when testing for diseases with a low prevalence such as BSE, "most of the test results are false positives rather than true positives.
First inconclusive BSE case tests negative The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced June 30 that test results are back on the first inconclusive bovine spongiform encephalopathy test result announced June 25. The result for BSE was negative. "At approximately, 3:45 p.m. today (June 30), we were notified by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa that the inconclusive screening test sample reported on June 25, tested negative for BSE upon confirmatory testing," USDA Deputy Administrator for APHIS, ...
CSU: Consumers place importance on BSE testing --Only a small percentage of U.S. beef consumers changed their buying habits after December's bovine spongiform encephalopathy-positive case in Washington, according to a recent national survey from Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. The study, which confirmed that consumer confidence in the food supply remained high in 2004, found that only 22 percent of a survey population said that they changed their beef purchase behavior after the BSE-positive case. "The survey also shows...
BSE: Testing the livestock industry and Capitol Hill The increased testing announced by Secretary Veneman in March has increased the likelihood of additional inconclusive test results from the rapid screening process. While the likelihood that an inconclusive rapid-test result turning up a case of BSE is very small, the likelihood that these rapid-tests will continue to produce more inconclusive results is not. Inconclusive rapid-test results will trickle in and the USDA intends to notify the public of every single inconclusive test result ...
Board promotes beef through BSE scare ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (AP)--Demand for beef is up despite a bovine spongiform encephalopathy scare late last year, the chairman of the Cattlemen's Beef Board said. The Cattlemen's Beef Board does promotion and research for the beef industry. It's work is funded by the beef checkoff program, which assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle as well as a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products.
Agriculture, industry officials urge calm following BSE scare WASHINGTON (AP)--An initial test of one animal has failed to rule out bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, but people who eat U.S. beef should not be alarmed because the animal never entered the food chain, agriculture officials say. "No matter how the confirmatory testing comes back, USDA remains confident in the safety of the U.S. beef supply," John Clifford, deputy administrator of USDA veterinary services, said in announcing the finding late June 25. "This animal did not enter the ...

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