b s e

[kato]

In addition, here in Manitoba, when a herd has been found with a TB positive cow, there has been NO hesitation to pull in, take all the cattle to slaughter, then haul the family pets off to be put to sleep just for good luck.

Why the difference?

[grassfarmer]

Not much to worry about in Canada, our status doesn't change and it is history with the media and consumers. In the UK there were around 44,000 cases of BSE born after the initial 1988 feed ban. Since the enhanced feed ban was introduced in 1996 I believe there have been 57 cases. These are generally blamed on the fact that the potential feed contaminants had still been permitted in hog and poultry feed and this could result in cross contamination.

[wilagro]

If I had a farm next to this one that had a repeat case of BSE five years from the first one...I would be bloody well worried about it. Especially if animals could be nose-to-nose across fence lines.

What is to prevent another repeat in five years down the road? Information that gets aired in little dribbles is quite frustrating and causes more suspicion that there is a "cover-up".

[WiltonRanch]

I would be more worried about tuberculosis, FMD, brucellosis than BSE. This last case being a repeat makes you wonder if it's more an endemic problem like Johnes. Sure it spreads from eating bonemeal but wonder if particular cattle are more prone to contracting this naturally. Aren't some sheep genetically resistant to scrapie? Why couldn't it be plausible that some lines of cattle have a genetic flaw that makes the prions in them and around them turn on their bodies.

[burnt]

wilagro - What is your suggestion as to how this should be handled?

[grassfarmer]

That is very probably the case WiltonRanch but when you get 2 cases on one place genetic susceptibility isn't the thing that springs to mind for me - more likely shared feed source. Wonder if there are other species on the farm?

Don't worry wilagro it's not contagious.

[wilagro]

grassfarmer: I know its not contagious but with chronic wasting disease there was suspicion that saliva on grass "might" be a vector for transmission amongst the deer population. Probably just a guess but who knows?

Chronic wasting disease in deer populations has a similar outcome as BSE in cattle.

[wilagro]

burnt: All I'm saying is. Give out some timely updates...I think we have a right to know what has been discovered and what action was/is being taken by the inspection agency.

[wmoebis]

Does this farm/ranch feed any commercial processed feed?

[wilagro]

wmoebis: Who knows...these government agencies are so damned scared to reveal any facts anymore...quoting PRIVACY issues. Most of the time "facts" are not available 'cause they're covering their exposed arse and they might get "blamed" for something(or not doing something).

We need some investigative reporters to get all of the facts and publish them.

[food4u]

Still cannot figure out why there has been no cases of BSE in Ont. or Que.Que has almost half the dairy Canadian herd. They feed way more supplement to dairy cattle than to beef cattle...Very interesting...

[food4u]

Still cannot figure out why there has been no cases of BSE in Ont. or Que.Que has almost half the dairy Canadian herd. They feed way more supplement to dairy cattle than to beef cattle...Very interesting...