News Update

News Update
March 27, 2006

BSE declines worldwide

A report released Friday by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations says that cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are declining worldwide, according to the American Meat institute (AMI). The FAO report indicated that the rate of reported cases has dropped 50% each year throughout the past three years.

In 2005, 474 animals died of BSE around the world, compared with 878 in 2004 and 1,646 in 2003, compared with several tens of thousands in 1992, according to data collected by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE).

In the report, the FAO emphasized the importance of using a scientific approach to detect and control the disease to ensure that it is eradicated in affected countries and kept out of unaffected ones.

USDA provides emergency funds for wildfire recovery

Ag Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that $8.134 million in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funds is available to ag producers in 16 Texas counties affected by the recent wildfires.

Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had opened Conservation Reserve Program acreage to affected producers in both Texas and Oklahoma.

This ECP funding will enable producers to remove debris from farmland, restore fences and conservation structures, provide water for livestock, and grade and shape farmland damaged by natural disaster. Eligible producers can receive cost-share assistance up to 75% of the cost of approved practices.

— Compiled by Meghan Soderstrom, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.