News Update
August 22, 2012
Angus Online Auction Goes Live
Not too long ago, when Angus breeders had cattle to sell, their access to potential customers was often limited by geography or technical and marketing know-how. At the same time, when someone wanted to locate or buy Angus genetics or specific Angus cattle, they often had to travel long miles to attend a sale or view the animals first hand.
All of that is changing with the official launch of Angus Production Inc.'s (API) online auction, Angus Trading Post. The website, which will allow Angus breeders to buy and sell individual Angus cattle, groups of Angus cattle, semen and embryos, is a timed, E-bay-style format. Down the road, the auction will also allow sellers to list machinery and equipment, horses, real estate and Angus memorabilia.
For buyers and sellers, the first step in participation is visiting the website and creating an account. Once registered, bidders can browse and search sale entries, view and bid on items, and place absentee and maximum bids when they can't be online when the auction closes.
For more information about www.angustradingpost.com, see the article in the September Angus Journal and contact the API web services department at 816-383-5200.
Help the Beef Industry and Enter to Win a $100 Cabela's Gift Card
As the popularity of activist groups including the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) rises, beef cattle producers are faced with the daunting task of defending their industry from scrutiny.
Texas A&M graduate student Lauren Bergin is conducting a study to identify what beef cattle producers' current knowledge levels of animal activism are and, simultaneously, to measure perceived levels of an animal activism risk to the operation. Help the beef cattle industry learn to be better prepared in preventing animal activism attacks by taking the survey below. At the end of the survey you may enter the drawing for a $100 Cabela's Gift Card.
To take the survey, click here.
Ag Dean Comments on Undercover Videos at California Processing Facility
Federal regulators have suspended operation of a Central California slaughterhouse after receiving undercover video showing alleged abuse to dairy cows. Officials with the USDA, which inspects meat facilities, suspended operations Monday at Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif. Animal care expert Dave Daley, associate dean for the College of Agriculture at California State University and an active member of the cattle community, issued the following statement.
"The vast majority of cattlemen stand firm in adhering to the absolute best animal care and handling guidelines established by veterinarians and other experts. We do not condone any mishandling of livestock on the farm or ranch or in the packing facility. In fact, we firmly believe that those knowingly and willfully committing any abuse to animals should not be in the business — period. The actions depicted in these videos are disgraceful and not representative of the cattle community.
"U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have a very serious responsibility and obligation to make certain that packing plants are vigorously following the guidelines in place that ensure animal care from pasture to plate. Cattlemen put their livestock above their own needs and truly develop a bond with the land and livestock. Cattlemen work hard every day to give animals the proper care and handling they deserve and expect proper treatment to continue after they leave America's family farms and ranches.
"This is exactly why the farmer and rancher code of conduct within Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has been in place since 1996 and condemns the mistreatment of animals. We believe any individual who witnesses inappropriate animal treatment is responsible for making every effort to stop it immediately. Anyone who mistreats animals must be reported immediately and should be punished in accordance with the law. We must work together to put a stop to any abuse."
U.S. FDA Approves Pulmotil® (tilmicosin) and Rumensin® Feeding Combination
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the combination feeding of Pulmotil®, an in-feed bovine respiratory disease (BRD) treatment, with Rumensin®, an efficiency-enhancing feed additive.
"Implementing these products together will give producers more options and allow them to feed one ration that contains both Rumensin and Pulmotil," said Carl Guthrie, veterinarian and Elanco beef technical director. "This approval provides producers the combined benefits of two innovative, value-enhancing products — the control of BRD that Pulmotil provides with the prevention and control of coccidiosis, and feed efficiency improvements, Rumensin delivers."
Approved by the FDA in late 2011, Pulmotil is a BRD treatment for groups of cattle in the early stages of an outbreak that provides 14 days of sustained in-feed therapy, a practice that reduces stress associated with cattle handling. Pulmotil expands BRD control beyond the chute by providing another option for groups of cattle not requiring a metaphylaxis treatment on arrival and/or when labor resources are limited. By feeding Pulmotil, producers can reduce pulls, while requiring less individual animal management.
Similar to the prescription requirement for injectable products, the FDA requires a veterinarian to issue a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) for the use of Pulmotil to help ensure veterinarian oversight and judicious use of Pulmotil according to the label use and feeding directions. The VFD process requires a coordinated effort by the veterinarian, producer, feed advisor and feed supplier. Elanco has developed a number of tools to help producers and their veterinarians implement a VFD. Step-by-step directions on how to fill a VFD form, including the combination approval section, can be found on this checklist.
USDA Sees No Food Safety Violation Apparent in Central Valley Meat Video
USDA continues to investigate Hanford, Calif.-based Central Valley Meat Co., which the agency closed down on Sunday after viewing a video showing animal abuse, but the agency announced Tuesday evening that so far it does not appear that any downer cows entered the food supply or jeopardized food safety.
"In terms of food safety, the video footage provided to USDA does not show a downer animal entering the food supply. However, the Department is conducting a thorough investigation that encompasses food safety and will respond appropriately to its results," the agency announced in a news release.
"Our top priority is to ensure the safety of the food Americans feed their families," said Al Almanza, administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service. "We have reviewed the video and determined that, while some of the footage provided shows unacceptable treatment of cattle, it does not show anything that would compromise food safety. Therefore, we have not substantiated a food safety violation at this time. We are aggressively continuing to investigate the allegations."
USDA food safety regulations state that, if an animal is non-ambulatory disabled at any time prior to slaughter, it must be condemned promptly, humanely euthanized and properly discarded so that it does not enter the food supply.
For more information, click here.
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