PHOENIX, Arizona – Food safety practices proposed 10 years ago have become routine procedures for many meat processors. Research to control pathogens in meat started in 1991, but accelerated when an outbreak of E. coli in 1993 killed 12 children who ate contaminated hamburger. “The neat thing is 80 percent or so of this research […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Foot and mouth wanes
PHOENIX, Arizona – South America is gradually ridding itself of foot and mouth disease, a move that may open the door for an entire continent of beef producers eager to trade on the world market. Each region is applying for the right to export as it receives a clean bill of health. More than half […] Read more
Tests show no GMO residue in animals
PHOENIX, Arizona – So far, so good, say scientists looking for side effects in animals fed genetically modified feed. Thirty-five feeding trials have found no differences in growth performance or milk production. Researchers aren’t surprised. “The presence of these proteins or DNA is not expected based on what we know with our current understanding of […] Read more
Dairies debate GMO use
If a cow eats genetically modified alfalfa, does the milk she produces have to be identified as GM milk? Will dairy farmers someday have to worry about critics who question spreading GM manure on fields? Last week, Canada’s dairy farmer lobby cautiously edged its way into the debate over biotechnology and genetically modified organisms, trying […] Read more
Reporting pork prices won’t help: economist
BANFF, Alta. – Ending captive supply in the American meat packing business may not correct market problems the way some producers hope. The United States Congress is working on legislation to implement mandatory price reporting by next spring or summer. One industry analyst is skeptical government regulation can ease marketing problems. “I think people will […] Read more
American beef industry rebounds after 20-year slump
PHOENIX, Arizona – After years of dejection, a positive prognosis for the American beef industry has elevated hopes and profits. “For the first time in 20 years we actually saw an increase in demand,” said Cattlefax analyst Mike Miller. Last year’s upturn was the first in the demand curve after a 20-year slump. It is […] Read more
Animal antibiotic use may wane
BANFF, Alta. – When growing antibiotic resistance was reported in Europeans last year, the European community banned many commonly used drugs. Fear of more antibiotic resistance in North Americans is forcing changes here as well. While there is little evidence linking farm use of antibiotics to problems among humans, one scientist believes change is inevitable. […] Read more
Ranchers wary of wildlife illnesses
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Keeping domestic livestock strong and healthy can be undermined by sick wildlife lurking a nose away on the other side of the fence. “Every time we turn around we are being hit with another one of these diseases that involves that interface between domestic animals and wild animals,” said Jack Rhyan, from […] Read more
Ranchers face off with wildlife groups
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The risk of disease transmission between wildlife and livestock is a controversial topic for cattle producers. “When wildlife are implicated as a livestock disease reservoir, we get friction between livestock and wildlife interests,” said Victor Nettles, a wildlife veterinarian from the University of Georgia. The debate was held during a special forum […] Read more
Horse vaccines lack scrutiny
RED DEER – Many of the vaccines traditionally given to horses for infectious diseases may not be doing their job, says a University of Saskatchewan equine specialist. Tremendous progress has been made in human and animal health vaccines, but researcher Hugh Townsend said there are not enough independent field studies to prove whether many common […] Read more
