News Update

News Update
October 29, 2007

FSIS Provides Update, Likely Source of Topps Recall

A joint investigation between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has identified a likely source of the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to the Topps Meat Company.

On Oct. 25 the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef Ltd., Canadian establishment 630. This firm provided trim to the Topps Meat Co. While the firm, which had been located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations Aug. 15, some product remained in storage and was collected and tested by CFIA as part of the joint investigation of the Topps recall and as part of CFIA’s own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli O157:H7.

On Oct. 26 PulseNet provided verification to FSIS that this PFGE pattern matched those from patients who were ill and from positive tests conducted by the New York Department of Health on product (both intact packages and open packages from patients’ homes) that was later recalled by the Topps Meat Co. Sept. 29. PulseNet is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) searchable database of all PFGE patterns from patients and food products in the United States.

As of Oct. 26, CDC has reported 40 illnesses under investigation in 8 states, with 21 known hospitalizations. The latest onset of illness was Sept. 24. This summer was the first time this rare PFGE pattern had been seen in North America.

FSIS had delisted Ranchers Beef Ltd, Canadian establishment number 630 as a result of the Topps Meat Co. recall investigation Oct. 20. No product from that firm has been eligible to come into the U.S. since that date.

FSIS notified members today to hold all boneless beef manufacturing trim from Ranchers Beef Ltd., or raw products produced in whole or in part from these products until the joint investigation is completed. The agency has also ordered field inspectors to retain these products.

Although products subject to recall should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should always follow the four “Be Food Safe” steps: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill. Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160º F. The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, the agency says, is to use an accurate food thermometer.

FSIS announced Oct. 23 new ongoing and upcoming actions to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing, and expanded testing of imported trim at the border. On Oct. 19, FSIS notified countries that export beef to the U.S. of new policies and programs and is working with them to ensure they implement the same or equivalent measures to protect the public from E. coli risks.

Release courtesy of FSIS.

USDA Partners with FFA to Promote 2007 Census of Agriculture

Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced Oct. 26 a strategic partnership with the National FFA Organization to develop online learning tools to educate FFA members about the importance of the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

Together, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and FFA are in the final stages of developing a series of classroom-ready lesson plans about the Census of Agriculture for teachers, as well as online tutorials for independent study.

The materials will help students learn why it is important to collect this data, how it is used, and how to interpret the findings in a way that is relevant to their rural communities. The Census coursework will be aligned to national agriculture education and academic standards and will be available online in late fall 2007.

NASS will mail out Census forms Dec. 28, 2007, to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by Feb. 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they have the convenient option of filling out the Census online. For more information about the Census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call toll free 1-888-424-7828.

Release courtesy of USDA.

USDA Awards More Than $1.6 Billion in Electric Loans

Acting Secretary Chuck Conner announced Oct. 26 more than $1.6 billion in electric loans to finance 1,500 miles of new line, upgrades of nearly 1,000 miles of existing line, and improvements to power generation and transmission facilities for rural consumers in 13 states.

Of the $1.6 billion, $1.1 billion will fund clean air technology to purchase or upgrade environmental emission control equipment for electric cooperatives serving Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

A complete list of loan recipients can be found by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Alltech Receives Incentive Approval for Rural Community Biorefinery

Alltech has received approval from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for financial incentives for its rural community biorefinery project, the first such model in North America that integrates feed, food and fuel production. The incentive is the first of its kind to be awarded in Kentucky.

The incentive will total $8 million and will be based on a sales tax refund for building and equipment costs, a state income tax wage reduction for new employment and a credit against state income taxes.

There is also a Department of Energy (DOE) grant application pending, with the announcement expected in February 2008. The project will get under way after that announcement.

As part of the DOE proposal, the rural community biorefinery will be the first in the U.S. to utilize cellulose, such as switch grass, corncobs and corn stover, at levels up to 30% of its raw material for conversion to ethanol and other value-added products. The facility, estimated to cost approximately $40 million, will be located in Springfield, Ky., and is expected to employ 93 people when operating at full capacity.

In addition to ethanol production, the biorefinery will house dairy and beef cattle to be branded under the Kentucky Proud label. The facility will also have the capability to produce algae, a plant that needs little besides sunlight and carbon dioxide. National Geographic estimates that algae can theoretically produce 5,000 gallons (gal.) of biofuel per year, whereas corn can produce 400 gal. per acre. Additionally, algae can absorb up to 450 tons of carbon dioxide per acre when grown commercially.

The facility will also create partnerships with regional universities for energy research and development. As part of the project’s research component, the company will coordinate research and development activities with the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati. Research will focus on identifying and addressing process improvements, developing economically and environmentally sound technologies, and using process simulation to reduce raw material costs and optimize energy utilization.

The business strategy is to commercially proliferate the facility and license the technology for the construction of replicate plants in an additional 10 or more geographically separated rural locations.

The incentive for the rural community biorefinery was given with the support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Governor’s Office, the Cabinet for Economic Development and the State Legislature.

Adapted from a release by Alltech.

Workshop Explores the Optimal Beef Cow Nov. 30

Methods and factors that define top beef cow operations will be the theme for the eighth annual Nick Petry Workshop, titled “The Optimal Beef Cow: Does She Exist?” Nov. 30 at the stadium arena at the National Western Stock Show Complex in Denver. The workshop is co-sponsored by Colorado State University’s Western Center for Integrated Resource Management and the National Western Scholarship Trust.

The daylong program will feature nationally known experts in beef cow production. Professor Don Adams of the University of Nebraska will speak on “Defining the Production Environment for Beef Cattle.” Adams is part of Nebraska’s West Central Research and Extension Center. “Land Health, Production and Biological Traits of Beef Cattle” will be examined during a presentation led by Robbie Baird LeValley, a livestock Extension specialist with Colorado State University Extension.

During the workshop, participants also will gain firsthand knowledge from cattle ranchers themselves. Kit Pharo of Pharo Cattle Co. in Colorado will examine beef genetics and production practices during his presentation titled “Selection of Cows that Work for You.” John Welch, general manager of the Spade Ranches in Texas, will explain how to “Build a Beef Cow.” The Spade Ranches are two of the largest and oldest ranches in Texas.

The workshop also will feature a presentation on an “International Perspective of Beef Genetics in Emerging Markets.” Troy Marshall, editor of The Seedstock Digest, will discuss current trends in seedstock production. The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion involving the speakers plus invited participants Scott Johnson of the Flying Diamond Ranch in Colorado, Manny Monseratte of the Y Cross Ranch in Wyoming, John Raptoupolus of the Raptoupolus Ranch in Colorado, and Sarah Shields of the San Isabel Ranch in Colorado.

Registration for the Nick Petry Workshop is free and lunch will be provided. To RSVP for the program, visit the WCIRM Web site at www.wcirm.colostate.edu.

— Release provided by CSU News and Information.

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