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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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ADAMS RANCH 33RD ANNUAL SALE AVERAGES $3,100
Adams Ranch held their 33rd Annual Cattle Sale on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the home ranch in Fort Pierce, Fla.
REPOPULATION AFTER DROUGHT SPAWNS NEW RULES
Looking into the future has always been somewhat tricky in the beef business. Far sighted visions or crystal ball predictions stemming around what next year's calf crop is going to look like or where future prices will be are often put on hold by more immediate tasks at hand. Planning ahead can often be tied to the immediacy of Mother Nature.
SOUTHEASTERN CATTLE PRODUCERS COULD MAKE MONEY WITH STOCKERS
“Rain or shine, wet or dry, do you want to make more money from your cows next year?” asks a Texas AgriLife Research forage scientist.
WATER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT FOR CATTLE
Many producers take water for granted. They have ponds in many pastures or they make sure the float valve in the metal stock tank is working properly, keeping the tank full. But what happens if the pond is low or dry or if the flow to the stock tank is interrupted?
IT'S THE PITTS -- WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?
Did you read where scientists have been successful in implanting human genes into cows? This is no joke. It seems that scientists wanted to make cow's milk more like human milk so that soccer moms will never have to be inconvenienced to nurse their young.
TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT SCOURS IN CALVES
Many ranchers experience a few cases of diarrhea in young calves, and some years are worse than others. Scours can be caused by certain kinds of bacteria, viruses or protozoa.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOOTER MCCORMICK -- WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
Lonnie Johnson had plenty of phobias if you paid close attention, or if you'd known him since he was a kid like Hooter and the gang had.
STUDY CONFIRMS BEEF'S ROLE IN A HEART-HEALTHY DIET
In a first of its kind study, researchers at The Pennsylvania State University demonstrated that eating beef everyday as part of a heart-healthy diet can improve cholesterol levels.
SOUTHERN CONNECTION CHAROLAIS SALE AVERAGES $2,286
The Southern Connection Charolais Sale was held October 22, 2011, in Calhoun, GA.
IT'S THE PITTS -- FROM LEEUARY TO PITTSTOBER
Whenever I get the much-appreciated free calendars at the start of every year there are a few months I'd like to tear out right then and there and be done with them. Sadly, I have to go through the process of living through these much-dreaded months.
PROPER NUTRITION REQUIRES RESEARCH AND PLANNING
This article is the fifth and final installment of a series discussing supplementation options, considerations and strategies. Given the challenges that 2011 “enjoyed” every producer is looking for a bit of breathing room in the coming year.
HUNTIN' DAYLIGHT -- TIME TO PATCH THE ROOF
By all reckoning, 2012 is going to be one of those years when cow-calf producers will have the economic opportunity to fix what needs fixing, be it genetics, management, facilities and whatnot.
BLACK INK -- COMMON GROUND
They say it takes all kinds to make the world, and the adage is all about people. Look around the mall, watch TV or check out the Internet and you find ready evidence of the individuality of individuals.
I AM ANGUS AIRS TONIGHT AT 6 PM CENTRAL ON RFD-TV
A special Christmas edition of the American Angus Association®'s popular I Am Angus television series will air at a new time, Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. Central) on RFD-TV.
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS IN FEED NOT AS CLEARLY DEFINED
Over the last few weeks we've been discussing supplementation basics and economics – and how these can be applied by the cattle producer. Up to this point we have largely focused on meeting the protein needs of the animal, the different forms and some of the costs.

These are a few of the topics being discussed on our Forum.
Just click on the topic to read it. Why not join the discussion?

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