News Update
Dec. 9, 2008

Bovine TB Detected in N.D. Animal

A North Dakota Beef herd is being tested for bovine tuberculosis (TB) following the identification of a cow with a TB lesion at a Minnesota meat processing plant, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture announced late last week.

State veterinarian Susan Keller said a suspect lesion on the animal was detected through routine inspection at a processing plant in Long Prairie, Minn., and that pathological tests at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the diagnosis of bovine TB. A traceback determined that the animal came from a livestock operation in southwestern North Dakota.

North Dakota has been officially TB-free since Jan. 1, 1976. Under federal guidelines, that status remains in effect. The last time a North Dakota herd tested positive for the disease was in 1999 in Morton County. No other herds were found within two years of that herd’s depopulation, allowing the state to retain its TB-free status.

Keller said the investigation into the current case is still in its early stages, and complete results of the herd tests won’t be known for several weeks.

A chronic bacterial disease that affects primarily cattle, bovine TB can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal. In its early stages, clinical signs are not visible. Later symptoms may include low-grade fever, lethargy, emaciation, anorexia, pneumonia, chronic coughing and lymph node enlargement.

— Release provided by Meatingplace.com.

Where the World Meets the West

Canadian Angus breeders invite you to attend the World Angus Forum (WAF) in Canada July 13-16, 2009. The Forum will take place on the beautiful grounds of the world-class show jumping facility at Spruce Meadows, located just south of Calgary, Alberta. This venue will be the one-stop location for the majority of activities and will allow participants to leisurely visit with fellow participants and exhibitors. For the first time a special itinerary and pricing has been created just for juniors. Youth (ages 13-21) from around the world are invited to participate.

The Forum agenda begins with a day touring heritage and working ranches in the Alberta Foothills, featuring a ranch rodeo, pitchfork barbecue and entertainment. Be sure to bring your camera and enjoy native dancers in full costume.

Events then center on Spruce Meadows for the official opening, meetings and industry speakers combined with free time to visit the Angus Market Place and art show, provincial pavilions, breeder displays and the featured International Embryo Program. The Forum schedule also includes Gala Evenings, Black and Red Angus shows, a sale, junior activities and optional tours for additional shopping or Calgary attractions.

Forum pricing and schedules are detailed on the WAF 2009 web site at www.worldangusforum.com.

Registration and hotel booking may be completed online or by downloadable form. Included are meals, all events and transportation from Forum hotels to Spruce Meadows. Guests will be treated to a Western “Meet & Greet” at the airport if arrival details are provided.

For further information or personal assistance please contact Monica Hillis by e-mail at waf@travelmasters.ca or Calgary North Toll Free: 1-866-703-3014 (U.S. and Canada only).

— Release adapted from a 2009 World Angus Forum release.

Meaty Topics to be Covered at January’s Beef Cattle Short Course in San Antonio

The Performing Arts building of Palo Alto College, 1400 W. Villaret, will be the site for the 2009 Annual South Texas Beef Cattle Short Course. The free program is presented by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Beef Cattle Committee.

Short course sessions will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. on three consecutive Thursday evenings — Jan. 8, 15 and 22. Registration begins at 6 p.m.

“People are welcome to attend any or all of these sessions,” said Jerry Warren, Texas AgriLife agent for agriculture in Bexar County. “They are designed to present the cattle producer or others involved in the beef cattle industry a comprehensive overview of current issues relating to producing and maintaining beef cattle.”

The Jan. 8 session presentations will be “Trichomoniasis, Fever Tick and Biosecurity,” and “Matching Your Cow Herd to Your Dollar.”

The Jan. 15 sessions will be “Do-It-Yourself Weed and Brush Control,” and “Forage Legumes to Replace Part of Your Fertilizer Needs.”

The Jan. 22 sessions will feature “Organic Forage Production,” “Texas Agricultural Technical Assistance Program” and “Eminent Domain: Liability Issues for Hunting and Insurance Needs.”

Session sponsors are Pfizer Animal Health, Lyssy & Eckel Feeds and Ag Workers Mutual Auto Insurance Co. Two continuing education units will be offered for attending all of each evening’s sessions.

For more information and to RSVP for any or all sessions, contact Annette Pawelek at 210-467-6575.

— Release provided by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Mark Allan Joins Pfizer Animal Genetics

Pfizer Animal Genetics announced Dec. 9 the hiring of Mark Allan as Associate Global Director of Technical Services. Allan joins the team with a rich background in and knowledge of the animal genomics business.

“Dr. Allan brings a unique level of animal genomics experience to this position,” says Ronnie Green, global director, technical services, for Pfizer Animal Genetics. “His extensive research background and experience within the purebred cattle industry will be invaluable to us in creating genomic solutions for the livestock industry.”

For the past five years Allan has served as a research geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb. In this position he provided leadership in DNA mapping of production traits in beef cattle, with a large portion of his work focused on feed efficiency and reproductive rate. Allan earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

— Release provided by Pfizer Animal Genetics.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.