News Update

News Update
May 24, 2007

USDA, HHS Request Actions of the People’s Republic of China

Representatives of the U.S. Government met with representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China May 22-24 to request rapid action to accomplish certain goals related to food safety, as outlined below:

• detailed information about the Chinese government’s procedures, methodology, and technology for testing and quarantine, as well as information about its control measures;

• raw data and the results of the testing by Chinese government entities of regulated products;

• the results of all tests for melamine in ingredients destined for human or animal consumption, on an ongoing basis;

• the imposition of a requirement for mandatory registration of Chinese firms that intend to export food and feed products to the U.S.;

• the prohibition of export to the U.S. of products from unregistered firms;

• the publication of a list of all registered Chinese firms and the periodic updating of such a list;

• the clearances necessary, including multi-year, multi-entry visas, for personnel from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct inspections in China, as determined necessary to protect public health in the U.S.; and

• the clearances necessary for HHS/FDA to conduct systems audits to confirm the registered Chinese firms meet U.S. government food-safety requirements.

U.S. representatives presented this request during several bilateral sessions conducted in conjunction with the second cabinet-level meeting under the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) in Washington D.C.

These actions do not relate to meat, poultry and egg products, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA has legal authority under which it establishes protocols for reviewing meat, poultry and egg systems. USDA conducts inspections, verification and performs certification in other countries before firms can export meat, poultry and egg products to the U.S.

Although China is not currently exporting meat, poultry or eggs to the U.S., USDA has several established agreements with Chinese ministries in the area of food safety. One such agreement is a non-binding Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Chinese General Administration for Quality, Safety Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). USDA asked AQSIQ to agree to elevate this MOC to a legally binding document.

Not all Chinese ministries involved in food safety were represented in the delegation that traveled to the U.S. this week. Therefore, HHS and USDA asked the delegation to relay these requests to all relevant ministries and rapidly report back.

— Release provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

MU Study Examines Effectiveness of Glycerin as Cattle Feed

Biodiesel is in high demand. Glycerin, a byproduct of this alternative energy source, is next, says Monty Kerley, professor of ruminant nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri (MU).

In a study that began this month, Kerley is examining the effectiveness of glycerin as cattle feed. Through November, the MU researcher will monitor the growth habits of 60 calves from various breeds to determine if bio-leftovers provide a healthy main course to cattle. The study has two main priorities: first, to determine if glycerin has a positive or negative effect on calves’ growth performance and, second, to assess its effect, if any, on meat quality.

The cows have been separated into groups of three, each consuming differing amounts (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%) of glycerin in their daily diet. In addition to monitoring feeding limits and growth patterns, Kerley also is analyzing how cattle metabolize the varying amounts of glycerin. Unlike the dry feeds they are accustomed to eating, Kerley said the glycerin is liquid-based and comes mostly from the processing of soybean oil. He also said it meets stringent FDA regulations.

“We’re really looking at the energy value and how it compares to corn,” Kerley said. “When the animal consumes glycerin, it’s absorbed, and the glycerin is used to make glucose. Actually, it’s like feeding sugar to a cow.

“Because it’s liquid,” he continues, “there are two things we worry about — one, how much can be used in the diet before it changes the form of the diet; and two, is there a limit to how much glycerin can be processed by the animal? We’ll feed it to them for a period of 160 to 180 days.”

Kerley said developing usages for glycerin necessitates this type of research. In recent years, academic scientists and private-sector companies have been racing to find solutions and applications for the byproduct. An alternative food source for cattle is but one possibility. However, it’s likely only a short-term option for the cattle industry.

“We probably have a three- to five-year window to use this for animal feed at a reduced cost,” Kerley said. “This glycerin is a wonderful starting compound for building other compounds that can be applied to numerous industrial purposes. After three to five years, you’ll see industrial applications utilizing this glycerin, and that may price it out of the animal feed industry.”

He said economics are another factor because glycerin is currently less expensive than corn, which is most commonly used as cattle feed. Glycerin is about 4 cents per pound; corn costs around 8 cents a pound.

“Originally, the biodiesel plants were concerned with just getting rid of this material, but data shows that glycerin has energy feed value equal to corn,” Kerley said. “If you can get glycerin for less than corn, that’s obviously a sizeable savings.”

— Release provided by the University of Missouri.

Merial offers support to help care for injured cattle

Following some of the worst tornados in years, Kansas cattle producers are struggling to locate their herds, treat the injured and tally losses.

“It will be quite a while before we know the extent of the injuries and the losses from the storms,” says Randall Spare, Ashland Veterinary Clinic. “More than 10 days after the storms, people were still looking for their cattle.”

In the days following several tornados that pummeled the Kansas countryside, Spare saw injured cattle in his veterinary clinic in Ashland, Kan. Animals suffered small cuts, abrasions, large lacerations, joint injuries and broken bones — not to mention the injuries and damage that cannot be seen.

To help with relief efforts, Merial donated Tetradure® 300 (oxytetracycline) Injection to area veterinary clinics. The donation helped producers and veterinarians treat infection and a variety of diseases — such as footrot, pinkeye and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) — that can result from storm stress and injuries.

“We treated the obvious injuries, but it was very difficult to determine the true extent of their overall injuries without shearing them. Many were covered with mud and seemed to be in a great deal of pain. They likely had numerous small cuts and bruises that we couldn’t see,” Spare says.

He adds that many cattle were lost or had to be euthanized. Without careful observation and medical attention, that number could rise. In addition, scattered debris could continue to cause problems for cattle producers for years to come by causing minor cattle injuries, such as small cuts on hooves that can lead to footrot or other infections.

“Infection is always a risk when you are dealing with cuts,” Spare warns. “We gave injured cattle a broad-spectrum antibiotic and are asking producers to keep a close eye on their cattle.”

Brian Spitzer of Hi-Plains Veterinary Services in Pratt, Kan., had several clients with damage from the storm. He prescribed the donated product to producers who were hardest hit, such as a feedyard that had about 60 steers injured during the storm.

“They were very appreciative of the assistance,” Spitzer says, thanking Merial for helping him help producers in trouble.

— Adapted from release provided by Merial.

Cargill Renews Commitment to Farm Safety

Cargill has renewed its commitment to Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) in 2007 by contributing $75,000 to support the organization’s efforts to keep rural kids safe and healthy.

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids will use the funds to help enhance their grain safety program. The curriculum is designed to help prevent childhood injury resulting from handling grain through interactive and engaging activities that encourage young children to be safe on the family farm.

FS4JK relies on corporate funding from corporate partners like Cargill to develop up-to-date farm safety and health resources and to sustain the grassroot volunteer program of more than 134 chapters in the United States and Canada. Cargill has contributed close to $2 million to FS4JK and has close to 60 locations participating in various farm safety activities.

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) produces and distributes educational materials on various farm health and safety topics. For more information, contact your local chapter, call 1-800-423-5437 or visit www.fs4jk.org. For more information about Cargill, visit www.cargill.com.

— Adapted from a release provided by Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.

Hobart Brothers Offers New Welding Poster

Continuing its educational outreach efforts, Hobart Brothers now offers “Welding Types and Positions,” the second in a series of electrode technical posters. The newly available poster shows the five types of welds and the 12 welding positions with clear and easy-to-understand diagrams, including descriptions and corresponding welding terminology.

The “Types of Welds” section covers fillet, plug (slot), arc seam (spot), groove and surfacing welds. The “Welding Positions” section covers 1F through 4F in the fillet weld configuration and 1G through 6G in the groove weld configuration.

The poster, also available in Spanish, are available through Database Solutions at 1-888-462-2789 or databs@mindspring.com. For product spec sheets or to learn more about Hobart Brothers products, visit www.hobartbrothers.com or call 1-800-424-154.

— Adapted from release provided by Hobart Brothers.

— compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.