News Update

News Update
August 27, 2007

Heat Can Lead to Toxic Water Sources

Hot weather, as many producers know, can cause problems for livestock. Even the best way to cope with the heat — water — can be hazardous when extreme heat sets in, says Larry Hollis, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension beef veterinarian.

Because of unusually hot August weather, with temperatures that soared past 100° F, parts of the High Plains could begin to see blue-green algae “bloom” on ponds or water tanks, Hollis says. This usually occurs in shallow, warm, slow-moving or still water that is high in nutrient content.

These conditions allow the growth of Cyanobacter spp., a form of photosynthetic bacteria, he says. Under the right conditions, there can be massive growth of the bacteria, which results in a bloom.

“During a bloom, the bacteria float to the surface and collect to form what is commonly called pond scum,” Hollis says. “Wind will push this scum across the top of the water, concentrating the scum against downwind shores.”

The problem with blue-green algae lies in the toxins produced by the bacteria, which can affect humans and most domestic animal species.

“These bacteria are capable of producing some highly potent toxins,” Hollis says. “Some affect the liver, some affect the nervous system and some cause severe skin or eye irritation.” Some of the toxins can be rapidly fatal. In some cases reported this year, cattle died within 30 minutes of drinking contaminated water, Hollis adds.

He recommends these management options for producers who suspect a blue-green algae problem:
·   Do not wade, swim in or drink from these water sources;
·   Provide alternate drinking sources for livestock;
·   Fence cattle away from affected ponds;
·   If you have to use ponds as a water source, fence cattle away from downwind areas where accumulation of the bacteria is likely to occur; and
·  Test pond scum to see if blue-green algae are present.

Hollis says the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and other area labs can test water samples for producers who suspect a problem. Information about the lab is available on the web at: www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/dmp/.

— News release provided by K-State Research and Extension.

USDA’s AMS Will Issue Voluntary Grass-Fed Standards; Others Progressing

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will issue voluntary standards for grass-fed livestock in the next few weeks, Assistant Deputy Administrator Bill Sessions told Meatingplace.com.

“We’re talking within a month or so,” he says of the standard that would verify that livestock have been 99% fed on a grass and forage diet.

Once AMS issues its voluntary standard, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would recognize producers who meet the standard and grant them the right to use the grass-fed label claim on meat from those animals. Currently, FSIS approves such labeling on a case-by-case basis.

Sessions says meeting the grass-fed standard would include putting a system in place that substantiates how the animals were fed and being subject to periodic USDA audits.

USDA first proposed the grass-fed standards in May 2006, reflecting consumers’ increasing demand for a variety of information about how animals are raised and fed.

Addressing the National Meat Association conference in Santa Fe, N.M., Sessions also noted AMS will propose its voluntary naturally raised standards for public comment sometime this fall.

He says the agency’s research showed the two issues consumers who want naturally raised meat are most concerned about are antibiotic and hormone use, followed by animal byproducts in feed, whether the animals were free ranged and animal welfare issues.

Like the grass-fed standard, the plan would be for FSIS to approve meat labeling for producers who met the AMS voluntary standards.

While only in the early stages of investigation, Sessions says AMS is also making progress on possible voluntary tenderness standards. Currently, four subcommittees comprised of industry and USDA members are investigating such issues as what characteristics define tenderness, how to evaluate those characteristics and consumer perceptions of tenderness.

“We’ve just gotten started on this one. We don’t know where it is going to take us, but we are going to keep moving it forward,” Sessions told Meatingplace.com.

Stocker Cattle and Wheat Management Workshop
Texas, Aug. 30

Cattle and wheat producers can update their knowledge of stocker cattle and wheat management at an Aug. 30 workshop sponsored by Texas Cooperative Extension.

“This educational event is designed specifically for stocker cattle and wheat operators,” says Greg Gruben, Extension agent in Scurry County. “We have a good slate of speakers to address several interesting topics.”

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dunn Right BBQ in Dunn. Participants can earn up to three continuing education units. The morning agenda will focus on animal health, wheat management and a grain-price outlook. Country-of-origin labeling (often referred to as COL or COOL), ethanol and fuel prices, and hay values will be discussed during the afternoon program. Speakers include Extension specialists and educators, Texas Department of Agriculture representatives, and animal health industry representatives.

“There is no fee to attend, but we would like to get an RSVP from folks by 5 p.m. Aug. 27 to help plan the noon meal,” Gruben says.

The workshop is a joint effort of Extension offices in Scurry, Borden, Dawson, Garza, Lynn and Mitchell counties, according to Gruben.

For more information contact Gruben at 325-573-5423; Cody Hill in Borden County at 806-756-4336; Jeff Wyatt in Dawson County at 806-872-3444; Greg Jones in Garza County at 806-495-4400; Bryan Reynolds in Lynn County at 806-561-4562; or John Senter in Mitchell County at 325-728-3111.

— Release provided by Texas A&M University.

— Compiled by Linda Robbins, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.