News Update
Dec. 19, 2007

Canada Reports Another Case of BSE

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed Dec. 18 the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a 13-year-old beef cow from Alberta, noting that the agency has the animal’s carcass under its control and no part of it entered the human food or animal feed systems.

The latest discovery marks the 11th case of BSE to befall Canada since its first in a native-born animal in May 2003, which prompted many export markets to ban Canadian beef.

In May of this year, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) designated Canada as a controlled-risk country for BSE, acknowledging the effectiveness of its controls and effectively allowing the export of beef from Canadian cattle of any age.

"This case will not affect Canada’s risk status," CFIA said in a news release.

The most recent BSE cases prior to this one included one reported May 2, 2007, in a dairy cow in British Columbia born in 2001 and one reported Feb. 7, 2007, in a bull from Alberta born in 2000. The animal involved in this latest case was born before Canada banned the use of specified risk materials (SRMs) in feed in 1997.

In July, Canada enhanced the 1997 feed ban, barring SRMs from all animal feed, pet food and fertilizer.

An epidemiological investigation is under way to identify the animal’s herdmates at the time of birth and the pathways by which it might have become infected.

— From a Meatingplace.com report.

K-State To Conduct Calving Schools In Several Kansas Locations

Cattle producers know the investment of time, money and physical work that goes into achieving a high-percent calf crop. To help them hone their skills, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension will host several calving schools just ahead of the calving season.

"Timely, correct obstetrical assistance has been estimated to reduce calf death losses by over 50 percent," said Sandy Johnson, K-State Research and Extension northwest area livestock specialist.

At each calving school, featured speaker Bob Mortimer, who is a veterinarian with Colorado State University, will demonstrate proper ways to assist with various calving difficulties, said Johnson, who coordinated the sessions. Mortimer has trained veterinary students in obstetrics in the process of calving 3,000 or more heifers per year for more than 20 years.

Also on the program will be Pfizer Animal Health veterinarian Dale Grotelueschen, who will speak about management methods to improve calf health. 

There is no cost to attend, but reservations to the hosting county office are requested by Jan. 11 to ensure enough workshop materials and food for meals.

Times and locations of the calving schools include:

• Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m., 4-H Building, Saint Francis, 785-332-3171.
• Jan. 15, 9:30 a.m., Phillips County Fairgrounds, Phillipsburg, 785-543-6845.
• Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m., Jackson County Fair Building, Holton, 785-364-4125.
• Jan. 16, 10 a.m., Community Education Conference Center, Cloud County Community College, Concordia, 785-243-8185.

Those interested in attending should register by calling the telephone number at the location at which they plan to attend.

— From a CattleNetwork report.

Ag Conference for Women Scheduled Feb. 8-9

The 2008 Women Managing the Farm Conference is scheduled Feb. 8-9 at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Conference Center in Hutchinson, Kan.

Titled "Celebrating Ag Women," the conference is designed for women who are sharing agribusiness decisions with their farmer or rancher husband and for women who have either inherited — or are purchasing — a farm or acreage or choosing agriculture as a career, Kristy Archuleta, conference coordinator, says.

The women’s conference concept provides educational opportunities in an environment that fosters understanding of agribusiness and opportunities to network with others who face similar challenges and decisions, Archuleta says. The conference is the fourth in a series for women in agribusiness.

This year’s conference keynote topics and their speakers include:

• "Surviving Family Farming Whitewater," presented by Don Jonovic, a business consultant who frequently speaks on farm business management and guiding transitions for family farms. Jonovic has more than 30 years of experience in advising business owners, and has established his own professional consulting practice, Family Business Management Services in Cleveland, Ohio.
• "Celebrating Ag Women," presented by Elizabeth Kinney, a KTUL television news reporter in Tulsa, Okla. Kinney, a former Miss Oklahoma, was raised on a farm, and has been active in farm-youth organizations such as FFA.
• "Relax! Your Most Important Management Skill is Self Care," presented by Charlie Griffin, an associate professor in the School of Family Studies and Human Services in the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University. Griffin is the director of Programs for Workplace Solutions and the Kansas’ Rural Family Helpline.

The conference also will include a resource fair and 20 concurrent workshops on topics such as planning and managing a family business meeting; evaluating insurance needs; bio-economy; creating educational opportunities for agriculture in the classroom, and food, nutrition and health tips for busy agribusiness professionals.

Early registration for the two-day conference is $75 and due Feb. 1, 2008; registration after that date is $90. A partial (one-day) registration is $50. Registration includes conference sessions and materials, meals (two lunches, a dinner and a breakfast) and refreshment breaks.

Funding for the conference comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program along with support from numerous state and local sponsors.

Registration and more information on the conference and a limited number of scholarships are available on the conference Web site, www.womenmanagingthefarm.info, and by calling 866-327-6578.

Hotel reservations can be made by contacting the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center, 1400 N. Lorraine St., Hutchinson, Kan., at 800-362-5018 or 620-669-9311.

Limited exhibitor space is available for $50, but does not include conference workshops or meals. Exhibitors can display educational materials, sell products and provide demonstrations. Exhibitor applications can be downloaded from the conference web site.

— Adapted from a K-State Research and Extension release.

AMI Foundation Animal Care and Handling Conference Slated For Feb. 14-15

The AMI Foundation Animal Care and Handling Conference for the Food Industry, the leading animal welfare education opportunity for meat companies, their customers and those involved in the production and management of livestock and meat products, will be Feb. 14-15, 2008, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

A special preconference workshop on livestock transportation will be Feb. 13. Attendees of this workshop will benefit from a packed educational agenda with sessions hosted by industry leaders. Discussion topics will include international perspectives, developing a national emergency program, driver fatigue management, ventilation, loading density, managing losses and more.

The conference will open the following day with an informative general session on current global trends in animal welfare, keynoted by David Bayvel, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Biosecurity New Zealand director of animal welfare.

From 1989 to 2005, Bayvel represented the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) on the New Zealand National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). He has been a member of the Trans-Tasman Animal Welfare Working Group since 1990 and is currently actively involved with the OIE in addressing animal welfare issues at an international level. He chaired the 2001 OIE ad hoc expert group meeting on animal welfare and, currently, chairs the permanent OIE Animal Welfare Working Group.

Following the keynote, the conference will break into three focused tracks: Management and Policy, Applied Pig Handling and Applied Cattle Handling.

This year’s faculty includes Frank Howell, director of manufacturing development and procurement at Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage Inc. and chairman of AMI’s Animal Welfare Committee; Temple Grandin, president, Grandin Livestock Handling Systems; Kellye Pfalzgraf, DVM, director of the office of animal well-being, Tyson Foods Inc.; Jennifer Woods, livestock handling specialist, J Woods Livestock Services; Doug Johnson of LEARN Inc.; Bonnie Buntain, DVM, assistant dean, the University of Calgary; Lily Murray, doctoral candidate at Colorado State University; and Leo Bartlett, president of Bartlett Consulting.

Attendees in the Management and Policy Track will benefit from sessions on foreign animal disease investigations, animal welfare and security, hiring and retaining for animal care jobs and a session focusing on the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization Inc. (PAACO), including an audit update.

The Applied Cattle Handling Track features a look at religious slaughter and how to troubleshoot problems in Kosher and Halal operations, handling and stunning issues, challenges and behavior principles.

In addition, exhibitors may showcase their products and services during a special Welcome Reception Feb. 14. To reserve exhibit space, contact Heather Schoch at hschoch@meatami.com.

Registration fees for those registering before Dec. 31, 2007, are $325 for AMI members, $450 for non-members and $295 when three or more members register together. After Dec. 31, registration rates increase to $425 for members and $395 when three or more members register together.

For a complete agenda or to register, go to www.animalhandling.org.

— Adapted from an AMI release.

Rangers Recover $19,000 Worth of Saddles

Two dozen saddles, valued at approximately $19,000 have been recovered by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).

Ranger John Bradshaw was contacted regarding the theft of 10 saddles from Washington County, Okla. Although Bradshaw is based in Paris, Texas, in TSCRA’s District 12, he was contacted because the suspects were believed to be from the Mount Pleasant area.

Once the investigation began, it was clear that more than the original 10 saddles had been stolen. At last count, 31 saddles, 24 of which have been recovered by TSCRA Special Rangers, had been stolen and sold at horse shows and from the side of the road to people all over Texas, Oklahoma and even as far away as Florida.

Two suspects have been arrested and have confessed to the crimes.

TSCRA currently has 28 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement.

— Adapted from a TSCRA release.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott and Linda Robbins, assistant editors, Angus Productions Inc.