News Update

News Update
March 6, 2007

Association Releases Annual Pathfinder® Report

The American Angus Association has released its 2007 Pathfinder® Report. This year’s report lists 9,726 individual cows and 256 sires that qualify for Pathfinder status. The Pathfinder Report, published annually by the Association, is accessible online at www.angus.org/pubs/pathfind.htm.

The Pathfinder program was started in 1978 to recognize superior Angus cows based upon recorded performance traits that are economically important to efficient beef production, including early calving, a regular calving interval and above-average weaning performance. Bulls that have sired a minimum of five or more Pathfinder cows are listed as a Pathfinder sire in this report. More than 1.5 million eligible dams and more than 5 million weaning records were examined to determine Pathfinder status.

The 2007 Pathfinder Report will be included in the April issue of the Angus Journal, or may be obtained by contacting the Association.

— release provided by the American Angus Association

Canadian Inspectors Respond to Contaminated Feed

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has placed precautionary movement restrictions on cattle from nine farms in Saskatchewan because they received feed that did not meet Canada’s current feed ban requirements. The CFIA reported in a March 2 release that no food safety risk is associated with meat and other products from the exposed animals.

According to the agency, the contamination occurred when misidentified ruminant meat-and-bone meal was distributed from a processor to feed mills. The meat-and-bone meal was subsequently included as an ingredient in certain ruminant animal feeds, which is not permitted under Canada’s feed ban. The CFIA was notified by the processor and mills once the error was detected, and an investigation was immediately initiated.

All of the contaminated feed has been recalled, and the CFIA has verified that all receiving farms have been properly cleaned. Preliminary findings of a science-based assessment indicate that the risk to animal health is, at most, very low. No exposed animals or their products were exported.

A complete investigation is under way to fully examine the situation and verify that the processor takes corrective measures, CFIA reports. The agency said it will consider enforcement actions once the investigation concludes.

TB Confirmed in New Mexico

A case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in Eddy County, N.M., according to officials at the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB).

The disease was discovered in an infected dairy cow during routine testing conducted at a harvesting facility. NMLB and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have launched an investigation, and State Veterinarian Dave Fly said all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure public health and livestock safety.

A beef herd in northeastern New Mexico is under surveillance for possible exposure to TB. NMLB reports the last case of TB in the state was more than two years ago.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.