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Beef Buzz News

USDA Now Searching For Cohorts and Offspring- Dr. John Clifford on BSE Case 4

USDA continues to do basic detective work on the California dairy cow reported as being positive for BSE- or what has been called Mad Cow Disease- earlier this week. On today's Beef Buzz, we hear from the Chief Veterinary Officer of the USDA- Dr. John Clifford- about the search for what are called Cohorts and Offspring. (His comments on going back and finding this cow's history are really interesting- and are worth your time to take a listen to- do so by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below)

On Thursday evening, USDA issued these latest facts on the case:

"On April 24, USDA confirmed the nation's 4th case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal that was sampled for the disease at a rendering facility in central California. This animal was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply, or to human health in the United States. As the epidemiological investigation has progressed, USDA has continued to communicate findings in a timely and transparent manner.

"As a result of USDA's ongoing epidemiological investigation, more information about the history and age of the animal is now available.

"The animal in question was 10 years and 7 months old and came from a dairy farm in Tulare County, Calif. The animal was humanely euthanized after it developed lameness and became recumbent. The animal's carcass will be destroyed.

"It is important to reiterate that this animal was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, did not enter food supply channels, and at no time presented any risk to human health.

"USDA is continuing its epidemiological investigation and will provide additional information as it is available."

While in Washington earlier this week, we talked with Dr. John Clifford about the case- and how the traceback to the point of origin will go for this animal that was tested positive for an atypical strain of BSE. He told us that the current herdmates of the cow in the dairy herd she had most recently been a part of will not be purchased by USDA, killed and then tested- but rather the search will be to go back and find animals that were herdmates to this cow when she was a calf nine to ten years ago, as well as to find her calves if they are still alive.

We also discussed how this process may be easier because she is a dairy cow- and their traceback is often easier than with a beef animal. The case in point was the beef cow found in Alabama in 2006 that was an "atypical" case of BSE- her herd of origin was NEVER discovered. Dr. Clifford acknowledged that our current traceback ability in beef cattle is still limited- and needs to be improved.

Today's online version of the Beef Buzz is slightly longer than that heard on radio stations around the region, providing you complete comments on these topics from Dr. John Clifford.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.



   
   

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