We hear the latest on the avian flu and how testing may affect the beef business. We cover the latest news on the new regulations on electronic identification and have cow calf pair prices. Plus updates from the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale along with markets and sale information. It’s all wrapped into this all new episode of the Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.
EPISODE 184 DETAILS
SCIENTISTS BELIEVE H5N1 JUMP FROM BIRDS INTO DAIRY COWS HAPPENED MONTHS AGO.
Academic scientists analyzing the USDA’s publicly accessible database of avian flu DNA, collected in and around dozens of dairy herds in nine states, shows that the H5N1 strain may have made a single jump from a bird into a cow.
The transmission could have occurred up to four months ago, according to preliminary findings published online.
Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who is leading a group of researchers studying the outbreak from outside federal agencies, tweeted that genetic data shared by USDA “strongly suggests there was single origin, at least for these sequences. Possibly in late 2023/early 2024.”
He said there were indications that birds have been reinfected by cattle carrying the viral strain.
The outbreak in dairy cattle was first identified in late March. The USDA this week said that ground beef from cattle infected with H5N1 is safe to consume, after retail samples were collected, tested and found to be all negative for H5N1.
USDA LAUNCHES BEEF TESTING BLITZ AMID H5N1 OUTBREAKS IN DAIRY CATTLE.
Three separate studies by government scientists are underway to monitor and test food supply safety in response to the widening outbreak of the H5N1 avian virus strain in dairy cattle, the USDA announced this week.
The regulatory safety efforts follow news last week of confirmed infection in a herd in Colorado, the ninth state to be affected since March.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of ground beef from retailers in the nine states to detect if any viral particles are present. Meanwhile, the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is taking muscle samples from culled dairy cows that have been condemned for systemic pathologies, which are also being tested for viral particles. Any positive tests in the two studies are to be followed up with checks for live virus by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Meanwhile, ARS is carrying out a study using a virus “surrogate” in a study of ground beef to determine what temperature would be required for safe cooking if live virus were present.
“Results from these studies are forthcoming, and we will share information as it becomes available,” the USDA said.
The agency urged consumers to maintain proper handling of raw meat and cooking to a safe internal temperature.
“USDA is confident that the meat supply is safe. USDA has a rigorous meat inspection process, where USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) veterinarians are present at all federal livestock slaughter facilities. FSIS inspects each animal before slaughter, and all cattle carcasses must pass inspection after slaughter and be determined to be fit to enter the human food supply.”
GROUND BEEF PASSES USDA’S H5N1 SAFETY TESTS.
Ground beef from cattle infected with H5N1 is safe to consume, according to testing conducted by the USDA.
The agency announced the findings Wednesday after its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) collected 30 ground beef samples from retail outlets in states where dairy cattle herds had tested positive for the influenza virus.
The samples underwent PCR testing at APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). The results revealed that all samples tested negative for H5N1, reaffirming the safety of the meat supply.
The findings come days after Colombia issued restrictions on U.S. beef imports due to concerns over dairy cows testing positive for avian influenza.
The move was the first and only instance, as of Thursday, of a country limiting beef trade due to avian influenza in cows.
FINAL RULE: ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION TAGS.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is getting set to publish the agency’s final rule, “Use of Electronic Identification Ear Tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison,” in the Federal Register.
The rule would require official ear tags sold for or applied to cattle and bison to be readable both visually and electronically (EID).
Cattle organization R-CALF has strongly opposed the rule stating, “The USDA has slapped independent cattle producers, who have worked closely with the USDA in the past to very successfully control, contain, and eradicate foreign animal diseases, in the face.
“We will fight against the implementation of this disastrous rule that infringes on the freedoms and liberties of our nation’s independent cattle farmers and ranchers. This is government overreach at its worst.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final traceability rule:
“USDA’s final traceability rule updates the existing requirement for animal identification that has been in place since 2013, switching from solely visual tags to tags that are both electronically and visually readable for certain classes of cattle moving interstate. Many producers are already familiar with using these visual tags and under the new rule, they will instead use electronic tags. NCBA has worked hard to secure $15 million in funding for producers to reduce the cost of implementing this change. We also remain committed to safeguarding producers’ private data and continuing to reduce the cost of ear tags for farmers and ranchers. Our industry faces a tremendous threat from the risk of a future foreign animal disease on American soil. To avoid devastating financial losses during a potential outbreak and to help producers quickly return to commerce, we need an efficient animal disease traceability system.”
The USDA final traceability rule amends a previous 2013 rule that requires sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate to have an official form of animal identification. The 2013 rule, which cattle producers already comply with, instituted visual ID tags for interstate movement. The new final rule switches producers to electronic ID tags.
The rule will not take effect for six months to provide time for producers to prepare. This puts the implementation date after Nov. 1, 2024.
Producers are asked to work with their local veterinarian and state veterinarian to secure proper tags and protocol.
UNPARALLELED EXCITEMENT AT THE WORLD FAMOUS MILES CITY BUCKING HORSE SALE
Dive into the Rodeo Action and Entertainment
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Live Country Music! Launching the event on May 16th is the Kick-Off Concert headlined by Josh Turner with Chancey Williams. Expect nightly live country music downtown.
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Immerse yourself in the excitement of thrilling bronc riding rodeo action and wild horse races on May 17th, along with a bustling trade show.
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Don’t miss the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and Derby Horse Races on May 18th, where the finest equine athletes are showcased and shop the trade show.
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Experience the adrenaline of the PRCA Xtreme Bronc Match Rodeo on Sunday, May 19th, featuring the world’s top saddle bronc and bareback riders in fierce competition against the finest roughstock horses.
UPCOMING BULL SALES & EVENTS
Wilson Angus: May 16, 2024, Watford City, ND
World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Derby Days: May 4 – 5, 2024, Miles City, Montana
World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale: May 16 – 19, 2024, Miles City, Montana
BULL SALE REPORT & RESULTS
Eichacker Simmentals & JK Angus
Leland Red Angus & Koester Red Angus
U2 Ranch
Four Hill Farm North Country Angus Alliance
FEATURING
Tracy Hauck
Mark VanZee
Livestock Market, Equine Market, Auction Time
https://www.livestockmarket.
Kirk Donsbach: Stone X Financial
Shaye Koester
Casual Cattle Conversation
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Questions & Concerns From The Field?
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References
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