Bred cows?

[cowman]

What is a bred cow/hfr worth? Consider that she now has a salvage value of anywhere from 2 cents/lb. to twenty cents(maybe)? A 1400 lb. cow at 2 cents is $28 at 20 cents $280.
Now a bred heifer in the 1100 lb. range has to be worth at least over $1000 just as meat. But next year she is worth what as meat? Maybe $22?!
Plain bred cows always brought about $100 more than beef price so does that mean a plain bred cow is worth $128?
This isn't completely absurb...I saw a 1700 lb. holstein cow sell last week for 1 cent a pound! $17 dollars for a pile of hamburger! Someone is getting very rich here!

[cowman]

One other thing about that 1700 lb. cow. The sales commission was $15, brand inspection $1, ACC $2, insurance/producer insurance $1.
So I guess that farmer got a bill instead of a check! I hope he never had to pay anyone to haul her? Now what is the price of a 22 shell?

[pandiana]

Without a doubt, cowman, there is a crime being committed here. I wish I new who was to blame. I share Van Clief's outrage!
Has anyone heard any more about testing over 30 months (which just may turn into 20 months since the latest Japanese experience).
More and more I believe this is the only viable option. I saw a very brief clip that a university in California was well on its way to developing a BSE test for live cattle.
"New Test for BSE - The University of California -San Francisco developed a method to detect prion proteins in blood and muscle tissue samples of living animals. It only takes five hours to get test results. The test can detect proteins at smaller levels and greater accuracy than conventional testing methods. Infected animals could be identified before showing any symptoms."
No source was shown.
It is of interest that they are using blood and muscle to test...a source that was previously thought not to contain this prion.
Looks like more research is required. I am hoping this will not translate into a prolonged border closure. We must lobby our government for an immediate solution, not waiting for a miracle.

[farmboy1]

"I have attended several meetings in the past month regarding the Canadian
issue, including the US Animal Health meeting in San Diego where we asked
many questions regarding this issue. My understanding from all those in
decision making areas is that no live cattle will be coming into this
country from Canada, except to direct slaughter or closed feedlot going to
slaughter. I was told that the border considerations relative to breeding
animals (dairy cows and heifers included) are NOT included in this recent
call for comments.

I have seen interpretations in the media that say otherwise and have
requested information from several people as to where they got their
information. If you or anyone else reading this knows differently, I would
appreciate the posting of the information."
The above statement is from another discussion forum. It doesn't look good.

[cowman]

Pandianna: The biggest obstacle to testing appears to be the Americans. If Canada was to test all animals then how would they look? How could they justify this trade war then? Their beef would be basically inferior because it wouldn't have a test.
If we test the border will be closed forever. American corporations are not interested in a truly safe product...only in maximum profits!
They seem to be using this one cow(does it ever strike you as strange that there is only one cow?) to force us to take their dirty infected stock(bluetongue etc.) with the full compliance of our own CCA. Now why is the CCA so gungho to get these dirty calves in? Is the fix in? Is this the price we must pay to get the border open? Look at farmboy 1's coments about cattle going for immediate slaughter or into a closed feedlot...sounds like the same restrictions placed on bluetongue cattle?
Now we have two options: One is to roll over and let the Americans have their way with us. The other is to tell them to go to hell and start testing! Take out big info-ads in all their major newspapers. Sell our cheap tested cattle into all their export markets with the guarantee that it is tested free of BSE.
Never forget they need us just about as much as we need them! We are their biggest trading partner by far. I suspect they might become a little alarmed if we started cozying up to the Europeans? Or maybe countries like Iran or North Korea!
Americans are not our enemies! Unfortunately at this time they are led by an administration that is hostile to our country. If we have to wait a year until they kick Bush out then maybe we should!

[pandiana]

Cowman, So what if the American's don't like it. If we are 'up-ing the anti' wouln't this be better than just rolling over?
The EU appears to be testing every animal.
http://archive.food.gov.uk/pdf_files/consultations/bas_bse_testing_letter.pdf

[pandiana]

More on Testing Policy from OIE

"The present OIE Code has never suggested a total embargo of animals and animal products coming from BSE infected countries, not even from countries considered as having "high BSE risk". In order to protect public and animal health the present Code recommends different risk mitigating measures, with increasing levels of severity as they move from categories of countries of lower to higher levels of BSE risk.

In case of BSE, the existence of the Code did not yet avoid major trade disruptions due to a failure to implement international standards by many countries. In some cases, embargos are carried out without a science based risk analysis. This situation penalises countries with a good and transparent BSE surveillance, declaring cases while perfectly controlling the disease. Furthermore, the Code does not recommend any restrictions, regardless of the BSE status of the country, in trade of semen, embryos, milk, milk products and gelatin and collagen coming from hides and skins."

http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_031002.htm

[cowman]

pandianna: I don't think the Europeans are testing every animal, but I could be wrong.
Personally I believe every animal should be tested, just like the Japanese do. That way they've picked up two younger animals that were dirty.
When it comes to food safety 99.9% is just not good enough if you are the poor slob who eats that .1%!