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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.

PRODUCERS MUST PROMOTE INDUSTRY ACCURATELY
On a day to day basis every producer has the task of bringing consistent, accurate information to the marketplace in an effort of promote the beef product and to support this way of life. Understanding the challenge this presents in the marketplace and in the media is an important part of the battle and is the reason for this series of articles.
SOUTHEASTERN CALF PRICES STILL SHOWING IMPROVEMENT
For decades, cattle from the southeastern U.S. have sold at a discount compared to cattle from the Midwest. Data says they deserve better, according to a beef cattle specialist with Certified Angus Beef LLC.
IT'S THE PITTS -- DUDES AND DESPERADOES
Greed and stupidity must both travel on the same chromosome.
TOOLS FOR GENETIC PREDICTION HAVE EXPLODED
If you long for the good old days when a keen eye and perhaps a basic knowledge of cow families was more than enough to sort bulls, you're not alone. Though genetic selection is more accurate than ever, it can also seem more complex than the Tax Code.
A.I. IS BEEF INDUSTRY'S MOST UNDERUSED TOOL
This article will review the value that AI has to offer to the beef cattle producer and attempt to illustrate some of the production and economic benefits of this powerful resource. Hopefully we'll see some converts.
RIDGEFIELD FARM NAMED BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Ridgefield Farm, Brasstown, N.C. was selected as the 2009 Braunvieh Association of America (BAA) Breeder of the Year at the BAA 25th anniversary annual meeting, national show and sale in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, Denver Colo., January 13-15.
NCBA STRUCTURAL CONCEPT ADOPTED AT CONVENTION
In preparation for key battles it foresees for the beef industry in coming years, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors voted to adopt a report and governance structure concept by a Governance Task Force that would lead to significant structural changes to the organization.
LITTLE CREEK FARM HOSTS MAGNOLIA CLASSIC SALE
The winter storm that rolled through the South in early January brought rain, snow, ice, blustery winds and tem¬peratures that dropped into the teens in Starkville, Miss. In spite of the conditions, a good crowd arrived at the Little Creek Farms Sale Facility on January 9 to appraise the offering of Full Fleckvieh Simmental and Red Angus cattle.
HEREFORD FEMALE SELLS FOR $38,000 TO BENEFIT YOUTH FOUNDATION
A big supporter of youth in the beef industry made a sizeable contribution to the future of the Hereford breed Jan. 16 in the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
EXTENDING PRODUCTIVE LIFE OF BULLS PAYS DIVIDENDS
Cattlemen have always been interested in one number; in particular with their financial reports, the bottom line. Speculation quickly turns to fact if it is in red or black ink, but how that figure came to be has been a mystery for some.
IT'S THE PITTS--THE MISSING MIDDLE
The middle class has gone missing in this country. In America today it seems like we have the super wealthy and we have the poor, with the middle class nowhere to be found.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOOTER MCCORMICK--OLD FRIENDS-OLD ACQUAINTANCES
Hooter ran through his mental list one more time as he started his pickup.
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS OFFER PRODUCERS MOST FLEXIBILITY
At one point or another, most cattle operations form a partnership with another person or entity. Perhaps it is a partnership on a single head of cattle (e.g., a flush cow, a bull in a stud, a show heifer) or perhaps it is a more long-term partnership where profits and losses will be shared among family members or cattle operations.
BE AWARE OF BREEDING GUARANTEES WHEN BUYING BULLS
Run enough bulls long enough and it's not a matter of whether one will become unusable; it's a matter of when and how many.
EXPORT MARKETS OPEN UP NEW MARKETING POSSIBILITIES
Marketing plans often take many shapes or forms depending on the firm's overall goals. Developing untapped resources often adds another option for these outfits to make a profit. As production costs continue to rise, market diversity will sometimes help defray expense.

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