BALDWINTON, Sask. – Betty McCrea rolled by on her quad to do chores with her son and husband, having swapped her apron for green coveralls.
It would be just another warm spring evening on the mixed farm near Baldwinton in northwestern, Sask., if the farm weren’t quarantined for being the possible birthplace of the Wanham, Alta., cow found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified two possible birth farms of the BSE-infected cow. If the McCrea farm proves to be the source, its cattle herd will be slaughtered and tested for the disease.
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While the McCreas do their chores, feeding the 250 animals on the farm and trying to complete their seeding, the phone rings, reporters, neighbours, friends and family pass through the farmyard and “life goes on,” said Betty.
Cards of support from friends fill their mailbox and the local provincial agriculture representative drops off a cold cut platter from the staff at the North Battleford office.
The McCreas say there won’t be a normal day again for their farm, no matter what the outcome of the government investigation for the source of the disease.
Trevor McCrea’s father, Mel, began breeding Angus cattle 41 years ago. The older McCrea is circumspect about the situation as he kicks loose some dirt with the toe of his rubber boot.
“If it came from our place, then our cattle have to go. We’re cattle folks. We know that our herd must be eradicated for the good of the industry,” he said.
In the farmhouse Betty slides the genetic evidence of the family’s herd across the kitchen table.
Canadian Angus Association blood samples were taken and banked in Calgary for future genetic reference.
Now those samples are being used to trace the lineage of the cow at the centre of this cattle industry disaster.
CFIA scientists in Lethbridge are comparing the DNA from six-year-old Anchor R Farm, G series cow to that of the Wanham animal.
The agency won’t speculate on how long it will take to track down the infected cow’s birth herd through the DNA samples.
Until those tests are performed, Anchor R Farm’s 110 purebred cows, the bulls and calves will wait to learn their fate.
“Our cattle have never eaten meat or bone meal. They have had protein supplements from the feed mill, but other than mineral and vitamin supplements, that’s it,” said Trevor.
Mel said the family has never imported stock from Europe.
Trevor said the impact of the situation on a purebred producer is devastating.
“Even if that cow didn’t come from our place it will be hard to get rid of the impression that our cattle are suspect. It might be better if they do take our animals and slaughter them,” he said.
“You can’t just rebuild a purebred herd or a business overnight. This is bad for us, no matter what the outcome.”
