News Update
Jan. 5, 2010

NCBA Denounces Taiwan Beef Trade Restrictions

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is extremely disappointed that Taiwan has reversed its decision on a carefully negotiated science-based bilateral beef trade protocol. Despite a recent agreement to allow a full reopening of the Taiwan market to U.S. beef, Taiwanese lawmakers announced this morning that additional restrictions would be placed on U.S. beef imports due to alleged safety concerns.

“In our view, the issues expressed by politicians in Taiwan have absolutely no basis in scientific fact and fly in the face of Taiwan’s own risk assessment,” said Gregg Doud, NCBA chief economist. “To suggest that there are any safety concerns related to U.S. beef is outrageous.”

After two years of negotiations, the U.S. and Taiwan reached an agreement, finalized in October, which would have brought Taiwan into compliance with science-based World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines, thus allowing imports of U.S. beef and beef products from cattle of all ages. Taiwan appears to have disregarded sound science and ignored the agreement by placing additional restrictions on beef and beef product sales to Taiwan.

“This is a purely domestic political issue in Taiwan,” Doud said. “U.S. beef producers are sick and tired of being used as a political football.”

The U.S. has exported record sales to Taiwan over the last three years, with beef exports valued at $101 million in 2006; $107 million in 2007; and $128 million in 2008. We’re on pace to set a record for the fourth year in a row in 2009, with $114 million in beef sales through October.

“Taiwan’s decision to abrogate a portion of this agreement is extremely disappointing,” Doud continued. “It’s particularly concerning given the fact that we considered Taiwan to be a trusted trading partner as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).”

NCBA is urging the Obama Administration to explore every available option to rectify this situation as soon as possible.

— Release provided by NCBA.

Calves and Cold

Calf losses due to cold can result from both severely frostbitten parts as well as from freezing to death or hypothermia. Appropriate management can help cattle producers avoid many of these losses for those operations that have calves born during the cold season.

Frostbite is the damage to body tissues that occurs when these tissues freeze. The extremities are most at risk. Frozen ears and tails result in changes of cattle appearance but do not affect cattle performance significantly. Frozen feet generally result in a calf that must be put to sleep or will die. Occasionally, teats of a recently calved cow freeze resulting in mastitis and frequently loss of milk production in at least one quarter of the udder.

Newborn calves are most at risk because they are wet and because they have a large surface area in relation to their total body mass. Calves are not fully capable of maintaining temperature the first several hours of life. Newborn calves have a circulatory system that is less able to respond to cold changes as compared to more mature animals.

Weather conditions have a great effect on the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, above and beyond just creating low temperatures. Wind is often the biggest factor. The effect of wind is often referred to as wind chill and tells how living things “feel the temperature.” Wind chill is often many degrees colder than the actual temperature. Humidity has a large effect on cold as well, since humid air can take more warmth away from animals.

The surfaces on which cattle must rest also have a great effect on the risk of frostbite. If cattle must lie on snow, ice or frozen ground they will lose much more body heat than if they can rest on dry bedding or grass. Snow or ice from freezing rain on calves dramatically increases heat loss.

Calves that freeze to death are unable to maintain a high enough body temperature to keep body processes working. Newborn calves have a special body tissue called “brown adipose tissue” that is designed to help them deal with cold temperatures. During cold temperatures this special fat is broken down and creates heat that helps the calf keep warm. However, very cold conditions can overcome this protective mechanism and calves die.

Intake of the first milk (colostrum) and physical activity help calves maintain and generate the heat they need for body processes to work properly. Attentive mothers vigorously clean newborn calves and stimulate this activity and the nursing of colostrums. Inexperienced or less attentive dams may let a calf get cold enough so it is sluggish and hypothermia results.

Recommendations for preventing frostbite and hypothermia in Virginia cattle:

• Provide windbreaks for calving cows when wind chill temperatures are below 20° F.
  
• Provide bedding for calving cows when wind chill temperatures are below 10° F. Often the most convenient way to do this is to roll out a dry, round bale of hay.
  
• House calving cows and calves less than 1 day of age when wind chills are below 10° F and calves cannot be kept dry because of snow or rain. Remember, housing can also be a negative because organisms that cause scours and pneumonia build up in barns and stalls. Finding the right balance of protecting calves from the cold but not exposing them to infectious agents requires special skill when weather conditions are severe during calving.

— By W. Dee Whittier, Extension Veterinarian, VA Tech

‘One Health Initiative’ Center Stage at NIAA’s 2010 Annual Meeting

“One Health: Implications for Animal Agriculture” is the theme of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) March 15-17 in Kansas City, Mo.

“One Health is a worldwide initiative focused on the interdependencies of human, animal and ecosystem health, and, with this concept comes significantly expanded roles and expectations placed on animal agriculture and professionals within animal agriculture,” states Tony Forshey, co-chair of NIAA’s Annual Meeting. “The general sessions and committee meetings at NIAA’s Annual Meeting will explore how the initiative may impact the various species and segments within production animal agriculture and animal health management.”

NIAA’s opening general session speakers will look at how the One Health initiative and strategies shift the focus from surveillance to intervention and prevention and how challenges need to be faced collectively rather than in individual silos and disciplines. The lineup of speakers will represent active members on the One Health Commission, representatives from the veterinary and human health community and representatives of animal agriculture.

NIAA’s 11 species-based and issue-based committees — which are open to NIAA members and nonmembers — will meet Tuesday afternoon, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17. Issue-based committee meetings include animal care, animal health emergency management, animal health and international trade, animal production food safety and security, emerging diseases, and animal identification and information systems. Species-based committees include cattle, swine, poultry, equine, and sheep and goat. Each committee meeting features its own lineup of nationally recognized speakers.

“NIAA’s annual meeting is an ideal place for producers, animal health and management professionals, animal agriculture Extension specialists and all of those involved in animal agriculture — cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and equine — to gather and become better informed and involved regarding One Health,” Forshey adds.

A schedule of events for NIAA’s 2010 annual meeting, meeting registration, list of NIAA committees and hotel information are available at the NIAA web site: www.animalagriculture.org/. Individuals are also welcome to call NIAA at 719-538-8843 for information.

— Release by NIAA.

Westchester Foundation Ag Scholarship Applications Due February 1st

Students looking for help funding college expenses need to apply for a Westchester Foundation scholarship by Feb. 1, 2010. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors accepted for enrollment or students already enrolled in a course of study related to agriculture or agribusiness at any accredited college, university or community college.

The Westchester Foundation was established by Murray Wise, founder and CEO of the Westchester Group Inc., with a mission to enhance the future of American agriculture by helping to ensure a steady supply of bright, dedicated, well-educated leaders. Students are selected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors based on academic qualifications, community and school involvement, leadership potential and financial need.

The Foundation is pleased to help these students reach their goal of earning agricultural degrees by easing the financial burden associated with rising higher education costs.

The scholarship can be renewed annually for up to four years, provided the students maintain acceptable grade point averages. While the amount awarded for each scholarship varies by individual and economic need, successful applicants may anticipate a minimum of $1,000 per year to fund any expenses related to attendance at the college of their choice.

Applications can be downloaded at www.westchester-group.com and must be received no later than Feb. 1, 2010, in order to be considered for scholarship funds for the fall semester of the 2010-2011 school year.

— Release by the Westchester Foundation.

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