TheBeefSite Newsletter - 14 September 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Research Raises Further Concerns over Bluetongue

Researchers from the University of Liverpool are predicting that rising temperatures in Northern Europe will mean an increase in bluetongue.

Between 1998 and 2010 more than 80,000 outbreaks of bluetongue in Europe were reported to the World Animal Health Organisation, and millions of animals died as a result of the disease. Bluetongue was previously restricted to Africa and Asia.

Liverpool researchers produced a mathematical model that explains how the risk of an outbreak of bluetongue virus in Europe changes under different climate conditions.

In Italy, an outbreak of anthrax has been reported to the OIE.

The outbreak in Campania affects the whole country and the cases are so far unresolved.

The source of the outbreak is likely to be due to the introduction of new live animals.

However, there is better news for beef farmers in Ireland as Tunisia has now amended its BSE regulations to be in line with the EU and this has reopened a market for Irish beef.

In the US, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to safety, urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to base all regulatory actions on science.

The move follows the US Department of Agriculture announcement that the agency is releasing a policy document declaring six additional strains of non-O157 STECs, including O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145, as adulterants. The agency announced it will require the industry to begin testing beef trim for these six non-O157 STEC strains from 5 March, 2012.

Chris Harris

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

Make Sure You Know What Your Gross Margins Are
When a producer understands gross margins, he or she can start to appreciate what dollars are available to work with, says Kris Ringwall, North Dakota Beef Extension.

Links Between Feed Efficiency, Diet And Methane Production
Enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminant livestock account for ca. 12 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions (DAFF, 2011). CH₄ is formed by methanogenic microorganisms present within the animal’s rumen.

Effect Of Heating On Feed Value Of Hay
Hay fires have been a major problem in south-east Australia in recent years. Hundreds of hay shed fires have been recorded in NSW, Victoria and South Australia due to spontaneous combustion. It is also likely that a significant amount of hay has been damaged by heating even though it did not ignite. Australian researchers look at what effect heating may have had on the feed value of hay.

July Beef Exports Continue To Surge
July was another very strong month for US beef and pork exports, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Both are on pace to set new export value records in 2011 and to eclipse the $5 billion mark for the first time ever.

Company News

Pfizer Encourages Students In Large Animal Field
GERMANY - As part of the herd scanning initiative in 2011, Pfizer Animal Health is to work with veterinary students, allowing them a practical insight into the daily work of wholesale and farm animals.

Merck Introduce BRD Prevention Treatment
GLOBAL - Merck Animal Health has announced the official launch of ZUPREVO® (tildipirosin) — a novel macrolide antibiotic for the management of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) that offers an excellent combination of speed, duration of activity and convenience.

Alltech Enters Hall Of Fame
GLOBAL, UK - The UK College of Agriculture has inducted the Alltech founder and CEO, Pearse Lyons, into the Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News