A silver bullet for mad cow?

[Canadian Socialist]

By PAUL STANWAY, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN

After the devastation that mad cow disease has brought to Alberta's beef industry, it would be no more than poetic justice if a Calgary research company found the silver bullet that rid the world of BSE.

Vacci-Test Corporation announced last week it has developed a blood test to detect brain infections in animals, including cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

If true, it might be the beginning of the end of the mad cow nightmare - and not just for the Canadian beef industry.
<snip>
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Columnists/Stanway_Paul/2005/06/19/1095303-sun.html

I hope this works out. The effect of BSE on the Prairie provinces has been devastating.

[RC]

1. All they have to do is stop feeding cows to cows.

BSE could have been contained 10 years ago.

[Canadian Socialist]

3. I completely agree

however, that would be (or should have been) on a going forth basis. The problem is the BSE already in the herds. This is what needs to be addressed as well as the use of animal products in feed.

[RC]

4. It is spread by feeding animal protein to cattle.

This disease is only spread among cattle by feeding animal products to them. They do not even have to ingest any infected animal protein. It is spontaneous with the ingestion of animal protein. Bovines cannot handle animal protein.


Most slaughter cattle only live 3-5 years at most. Milk cows are old at 7 years. So, if 10 years ago we stopped feeding cattle to cattle, we would not have any BSE today.

[whistle]

2. Yes, and an end to the American Gelbvieh Association strangle hold...

...on beef production.

<snip>

The American Gelbvieh Association headquarters building was dedicated on January 16, 1992. The building was purchased under the guidance of then AGA President Earl Buss and a dedicated committee. The building was purchased through the generous donations of AGA members. Those members are honored with special plaques throughout the building. This building currently houses the American Gelbvieh Association, as well as two other businesses that rent space from the AGA.

As the beef industry becomes more competitive, it is essential that producers with like goals work together. The American Gelbvieh Association is dedicated to its mission of "Recording, promoting and improving Gelbvieh cattle." Your consideration of membership in the American Gelbvieh Association is greatly appreciated.

<more>
<link> http://www.gelbvieh.org/contact.html

<other links>

http://www.ansci.umn.edu/beef/

http://www.mad-cow.org/

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:bEQUoMbMqKkJ:www.gelbvieh.org/2005qb_statements.doc+American+Gelbvieh+Association+and+mad+cow+disease&hl=en

[newportdadde]

5. Stranglehold on what?

Thats just one breed, they all have huge associations etc. Here in MO, Gelbies are pretty much gone. They were in style for a bit in the early 90s we had one at the time. The 'in thing' is and has been for awhile now, solid black calves prefferably Angus or an Angus cross that is solid black.

Because of this, A Gelbi crossed with a brangus or angus will often throw calves with a light brown color and lightly haired tail. Even though they may gain as well as their brothers and sisters they will be seperated during sales etc when being sold to the feedlot and they will bring much less.

When the switch happend around here Gelbis really fell out of favor.