News Update

News Update
June 12, 2006

Most recent BSE cases may have been atypical strain

The two most recent and sole native-born cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States may have been spontaneous, or atypical, strains of the disease and far different from the more common form of BSE discovered in Canada and most other BSE-affected countries, Pete Hisey reported in an article on meatingplace.com.

Leading prion researchers in Europe have identified similar atypical cases in cattle in France, Italy and Switzerland, Hisey wrote. The disease has affected relatively old animals so far, as was the case in Texas and Alabama.

The significance of the atypical strain is that it is far more difficult to detect because the spongy holes in the brain are not readily apparent, the article continued. Also, there is evidence that while typical BSE is spread by infected cattle feed, the atypical version may not be and may be spread by some as yet unknown means.

John Clifford, head veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), told The Associated Press over the weekend that while the cases in Texas and Alabama may be very different from typical BSE, it’s important “we treat this as BSE regardless.”

U.S. ethanol bubble to burst

The U.S. ethanol bubble is at risk of bursting in the short term, but Alternative Energy News Source says there are still long-term opportunities for ethanol investors, according to a Dow Jones article posted on cattlenetwork.com.

A report written by Russell Hasan said the U.S. corn ethanol industry would likely “face strong pressure from corn supply concerns, sugarcane ethanol imports from Brazil and new cellulosic ethanol technology in five to 10 years.”

But the report said this could be an exception for small cooperatives, the cattlenetwork.com article continued. Adding in the risk of a possible fall in oil prices and removal of government incentives, the ethanol bubble is expected to burst by the end of the decade. Still the report holds the U.S. corn ethanol industry may be profitable for the next five years.

— compiled by Meghan Richey, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.