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Updated Harvard BSE risk analysis released July 26, 2006 Yesterday, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) held a briefing about the updated BSE risk assessment (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Risk_Assessments/index.asp) it commissioned from the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis. A Reuters article about the news leads with the report finding that “The U.S. government virtually eliminated the threat of mad cow disease to consumers by requiring the removal of brains, spinal cords and other high risk items from older cattle” (http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060725/3/2nm0y.html). Representatives from the Consumer advocacy groups Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Consumers Union (CU) were quoted in the Reuters story. Caroline Smith DeWaal from CSPI said the government hasn’t been as proactive as it could be while CU’s Michael Hansen claimed the report was designed to find what the government wanted it to. Harvard conducted its initial BSE Risk Assessment in 2001 and then updated it in 2003. This time, FSIS asked the Harvard risk modeling experts to gauge the effectiveness of new safeguards implemented since December 2003 and determine the need for further controls. Even assuming a much greater rate of BSE incidence than the authors say is likely and imperfect feed ban compliance, the report finds the food safety measures enacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture all reduce potential human exposure to BSE infectivity. Although the Authors detail the risk reduction achieved by individual safeguard measures – removing downer cattle from the human food supply and removing specified risk materials (SRMs) – they also remind that these are reductions relative to what already is a small risk. Harvard also looked at the additional feed ban controls proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Review Team recommendations. The authors say banning ruminant blood in ruminant feed and dedicated production lines would have little effect on disease spread. Instead, the report finds that removing SRMs from dead stock prior to rendering and banning all animal-derived protein from cattle feed would be most effective in reducing the already low risk of BSE spreading in the U.S. cattle herd. Harvard has always attributed its findings to the strong safeguard measures the United States started implementing early on. The United States was the first country in the world to institute a feed ban before any BSE cases were found. In addition, the U.S. started its active BSE surveillance program in 1990. Since then, the United States has tested nearly 1 million cattle, particularly older cattle that are at greater risk for the disease, and found only two cases. As a result of industry and government actions beginning in 1989 and, now quantified in the Harvard report, BSE risk in the United States is very low resulting in the full protection of public and animal health. ...More


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Cattle Today
Articles about the production of beef cattle and livestock.

BEEF AMBASSADORS ATTEND CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
Thanks to a generous grant from a private foundation, the National Beef Ambassadors recently attended the Spring Legislative Conference conducted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, where they received first-hand experience in representative government.
SAFETY IS THE FOCUS OF BEEF INDUSTRY SUMMIT
More than 160 leaders, including cattle producers, feeders, processors as well as retailers and foodservice operators, convened at the fifth annual Beef Industry Safety Summit March 5-7 in Dallas, Texas, to explore solutions to safety challenges as well as review and update best practices based on the latest science.
TENNESSEE TO HOST GELBVIEH EASTERN REGIONAL
The Tennesee Gelbvieh Association and Tennessee Gelbvieh Junior Association are joining forces with the American Gelbvieh Junior Association to host the 2008 Eastern Regional Gelbvieh Show.
TRANSFERRED REGISTRATIONS ADD VALUE TO SEEDSTOCK
Communicating seedstock ownership transfers to the proper breed associations sets the stage for satisfying relationships between commercial cattle producers and their genetic suppliers.
ANGUS TIMELY TOPICS
May comes but once each year, but what a marvelous time it is to be engaged in the production of Angus cattle.
SALACOA VALLEY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING GENETIC QUALITY
During the last twelve to eighteen months southeast cattle producers have endured a tremendous test. Crippling drought, explosive expenditures for feed and fertilizer, and ever rising energy costs have caused many to reevaluate their position in the beef industry. David and Susan Vaughan, owners of Salacoa Valley Farms in Fairmount, Ga., were not immune to these challenges.
HUNTIN' DAYLIGHT -- FLEXIBILITY DAMPENS INPUT COSTS
For the first two months of 2008, the cost of gain for steers averaged $75.47/cwt. Last year's average was $71.23. For heifers sold in the first two months of 2008, average cost of gain was $77.63/cwt., four percent more than 2007. When compared to the 2002-2006, average cost of gains for both steers and heifers were $22/cwt. higher in early 2008.
MISSOURI TO HOST NATIONAL JR. SALERS SHOW
American Salers juniors are making plans to have a kickin' good time at the 2008 American Salers Junior Association Junior National.
IT'S THE PITTS - LIVING IN TOWN
I've heard of all sorts of ways to determine if you live in a town or a city.
PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IS THE FOCUS FOR 2008 AND BEYOND
Efficiency. It's a word we are hearing with greater frequency in our everyday lives as virtually every cost we encounter in our everyday lives is increasing.
MAY RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL HAMBURGER MONTH
For over 40 years, the month of May has been a time to recognize the more than 800,000 dedicated men and women who produce high quality, wholesome, nutritious beef known around the world.
COMMODITY INSIGHT
"You cannot lift a bull by the tail." In the futures industry, that hoary old saw simply means if a market is going to stage a bull move it has to be led by nearby prices and not distant prices.
SPITZER RANCH BRANGUS BULL SALE HELD FEBRUARY 23
The two-year drought throughout much of the Southeast may have been a topic of conversation, but the enthusiasm for the genetics offered by the folks at Spitzer Ranch overwhelmed any negative thoughts.
STEAKS SIGHTED RUNNING 26.2 MILES THROUGH BOSTON
During the three days leading up to the grueling 26.2-mile run, beef checkoff representatives were making sure runners were well equipped with the beef nutrition message at the Sports & Fitness Expo.
LIMESTONE LLC DONATES 2009 ANGUS FOUNDATION HEIFER
The Angus Foundation announced that Chris McCutchen, owner of Limestone LLC, Perkins, Okla., will donate the 2009 Angus Foundation Heifer, set to sell at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo., next January.

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