News Update
May 5, 2011

Arkansas Rabies Cases Through April Equal All of 2010: Protection Tips

The number of rabies cases reported in Arkansas through April 28 has exceeded the average annual total, according to figures from the Arkansas Department of Health.

“In a typical year in Arkansas, the number of rabies positive cases is 32 in skunks and 10 positive bat cases,” said Dustan Clark, extension veterinarian for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “This year in Arkansas, the state health department has reported 34 rabies-positive cases in skunks.”

Rabies cases were reported in Boone, Madison, Stone, Crawford, Franklin, Hot Spring, Scott, Pike, Polk, Sebastian and Sevier counties. Sebastian County had the highest number of cases with 19.

Rabies is a viral disease that is most often transmitted through the bite of a wild infected animal such as a skunk, bat, fox or raccoon. In Arkansas, the natural reservoirs for the virus are skunks and bats. The fox and raccoon variants of the virus have not been reported in Arkansas.

“The disease, if untreated, is virtually 100% fatal,” Clark said. “Rabies in people is very rare in the U.S., which averages one to two rabies deaths a year. Worldwide, as many as 55,000 people die from rabies each year, usually in countries that do not have vaccination programs for dogs or cats.”

Infection prevention is the most important tactic when it comes to rabies. Clark offers these suggestions:

• Teach children not to approach or touch wild animals or dogs and cats they do not know.
• Don’t keep wild animals as pets.
• Report any animal bite to your physician immediately.
• Have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies by your local veterinarian or at a rabies clinic conducted by the county health unit environmental health specialist and a veterinarian.
• If you see a wild animal acting strangely, such as a skunk or bat out during the daylight hours, do not approach it to protect yourself from being scratched or bitten by the animal.
• Report the location of the animal and the type of animal to your local animal control office, the sheriff’s department, or your local county health unit environmental health specialist.
• Make sure your own animals, such as dogs and cats, are confined to prevent them from being bitten and that they are current in their vaccination against rabies.
• If you kill a wild animal that is acting strangely, do not shoot it in the head. Call your local veterinarian, animal control officer, or county health unit for instructions for getting the animal checked for rabies. There is no test for a live animal. Animal tissues tested for rabies are sent to the Arkansas Department of Health in special containers to prevent exposure.

Arkansas law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination is not considered to be a legal vaccination if you obtain the vaccine and give it to your own animals. It must be given by a licensed veterinarian to be legal. If you have questions regarding animal vaccination contact your veterinarian.

The Arkansas Health Department’s rabies map can be found at http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/infectiousDisease/zoonoticDisease/Documents/rabies/RabiesMap2011.pdf.

— Release by University of Arkansas Extension.

NCBA Says It Is Encouraged by Movement Forward on Pending Trade Agreements

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports immediate passage and implementation of pending trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. NCBA is greatly encouraged by news that the Obama administration is ready to begin technical discussions with congressional leaders to draft implementing legislation and Statements of Administrative Action for pending free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

“It is great that the United States is getting off the sidelines and back into the game of expanding trade opportunities for U.S. products by moving forward with the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia,” said Bill Donald, NCBA president and Montana cattleman. “NCBA has been an outspoken supporter of these agreements because they increase market access and provide stable export markets based on internationally recognized scientific standards.”

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk today sent letters to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee indicating Colombia has taken necessary steps, in accordance with an action plan agreed upon by both nations regarding labor rights, to move forward with finalizing this agreement. Donald said USTR has played a critical role in moving these agreements forward.

“With 96% of the world’s consumers living outside our borders, we have to be able to compete in the global marketplace. While these agreements have been stalled, our trade competitors have moved forward with deals of their own,” Donald said. “We are encouraged by today’s news, and we appreciate Ambassador Kirk’s leadership in moving these agreements forward. NCBA strongly urges members of Congress and the administration to work expeditiously to implement all three agreements as soon as possible.”

— Release by NCBA.

Tag Store Offers Expanded Options

It’s now easier than ever for cattle producers to customize their herd identification. The American Angus Association Tag Store, available at www.customcattletags.com, now allows farmers and ranchers to order numerous, customized ear tags and other ID options in less time.

“Previously, producers could customize tags with unique tag numbers, then add text that would be the same on each tag. Now they’re able to upload data that includes unique text for each available line — for example, sire, dam or birth date information,” says AngusSource® director Sara Snider, who oversees the Tag Store.

The new function provides expanded customization options, at no additional fee.

Snider says large visual tags cost just 99¢.

“Now, producers can use our spreadsheet template to fill in each field available for the tag size chosen. Step-by-step directions walk them through the process,” she says. “The new feature is great for producers hosting a sale with various consignors; or for those who would simply like to see sire and dam information on their tags.”

Producers no longer have to individually build tags or send spreadsheets to the office. They can simply upload the spreadsheet as a CSV file online.

The Tag Store was launched in 2010 to provide producers with high-quality, custom-printed cattle ID options at unbeatable prices. The interactive site exclusively offers Destron Fearing™ products, including visual tags, e. Tags [radio frequency identification (RFID) tags], Combo e. Tags and “840” tags. Accessories such as applicators, readers, panel antennas and headgate kits are also available at below-retail prices.

All tags are manufactured within three to five business days and shipped directly to the producer; flat rate shipping charges apply.

Visit www.customcattletags.com for more information.

— Release by American Angus Association.

USDA’s Economic Research Service Marks 50th Anniversary

The Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is observing its 50th anniversary in 2011.

On April 3, 1961, during the Kennedy Administration and nearly 100 years after the 1862 establishment of USDA, the economic research functions of the Agriculture Department were combined within a single new agency, the Economic Research Service. Its predecessor agency, the Bureau of Agricultural Economics (BAE), established in 1922, initiated the regular publication of market outlook reports that remain valued stock items in ERS’ research portfolio today, and analyzed agricultural policy impacts during the Depression era. BAE functions were dispersed in 1953 to other offices within USDA, but when ERS was formed eight years later, it absorbed a number of economists who had served in the BAE.

The new agency very quickly expanded its focus beyond the farm economy and commodities to include rural economic development, river basin and watershed programs, and resource policy. The growth in ERS’ scope of work has paralleled the expanding mission of USDA. Today, ERS analysis and data cover the food industry, diet and nutrition, domestic and global food insecurity, rural development and demographics, and agriculture-related environmental issues, as well as the economic performance of the farm sector, commodity production and trade, and food safety.

Further information on the ERS 50th anniversary is available on the agency’s website.

— Release by ERS.

2011 Arkansas Beef Quality Conference Videos Online

Were you unable to attend the 2011 Arkansas Beef Quality Conference? The entire conference was recorded and is available online to view at your convenience.

“This conference was useful for beef producers looking for insight into the changing needs of consumers, as well as what factors producers need to be aware of in meeting those expectations — those were among the highlights of this conference,” said Shane Gadberry, associate professor-animal science, for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “The videos will offer a good review and reference for those who attended.”

Video content includes:

• Bob Weaber, University of Missouri, discussing antagonisms between economically important traits and carcass quality.
• Dillon Feuz, Utah State University, talking about beef supply and tomorrow’s consumer.
• Travis Justice, executive director of the Arkansas Beef Council, and Tom Jones, Chairman of the Cattleman’s Beef Board, providing updates on activities of the Arkansas Beef Council and National Beef Board.
• Paul Beck and Tom Troxel of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Science, discussing their research and extension programs that focus on beef quality beginning at the ranch.
• Jason Apple and Fred Pohlman, also of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, discussing beef value enhancements beyond the feedyard.

The program was sponsored by the Arkansas Beef Council and can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/channels/arbeefconf.

— Release by University of Arkansas Extension.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, Editor, Angus Productions Inc.