News Update

News Update
Aug. 23, 2006

Canada Detects Eighth BSE Case

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced today it had confirmed a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a mature beef cow from Alberta.

According to CFIA, the approximately 8- to 10-year-old animal was likely exposed to the BSE agent either before the country’s feed ban introduction or during its early implementation. No part of the animal’s carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The CFIA is conducting an investigation to locate the infected animal’s farm of origin and to identify herdmates of interest.

U.S. Beef Scarce in Japan

Japanese consumers remain wary of U.S. beef, despite the end of a U.S. beef ban announced weeks ago, The Associated Press reported.

According to AP, U.S. beef is only available at Costco stores in Japan — all five of them. Due to consumer fears surrounding U.S. beef safety, supermarkets aren’t ordering the unpopular product. Instead, retail store shelves are lined with beef from Australia and Japan.

Only 17.6 tons of U.S. beef arrived in Japan during the first 10 days after the ban was lifted, Meatingplace.com reported.

SD Loans Offset Drought

Qualified farmers and ranchers in central and western South Dakota are now eligible to receive low-interest loans to combat the effects of drought, the Rapid City Journal reported.

Although eligibility requirements are somewhat restrictive — producers must be unable to receive credit from commercial sources — a representative from the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSA) said any help is welcome.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated 23 counties in South Dakota as natural disaster areas due to drought conditions. Those in contiguous counties in Nebraska, Wyoming and North Dakota are also eligible for aid. According to the article, eligible producers have eight months to apply for loans.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.