What Are the Odds?

[cowman]

And why are they destroying the 450 calves because one of them might be her offspring? Was the calf fed the same feed from the Leduc feedmill that the cow ate 4 years previously? Maybe they packed her a lunch to take to Washington?
We are told this is a feed problem. So how come we kill her calves? If now they think it might be a genetic transfer maybe we should also look at the bull that sired her?
The "science" says one thing but the actions suggest another? Do you ever wonder if they are winging it on this one?

[kato]

I think there's a bit of 'winging' going on. Where's the other 70 or so cows? Come on guys...get tracing. This is a test, and Japan is keeping score.

Also, if they are going to slaughter those calves right away, why are they waiting for definite DNA identification to slaughter the herdmates? I don't get it.

I think the DNA from the bull is to help identify the cow, not because they think there is something wrong with the bull.

[cowman]

And of these 450 calves they are going to slaughter and test why would they incinerate them? I mean if they test them and they are all clean why destroy perfectly good meat? First they tell us it is a feed problem. Then they say they need to kill her offspring. Then they need to kill and destroy all cattle that come in contact with that offspring. Wheres the "science" on this one? Doesn't this go against all the known science?

[pandiana]

Excellent point cowman!

[pandiana]

Yes Kato, I would think they are using the sire dna to ID the cow. I guess my point was that if, as previously stated, only about 16 sires are currently used to propogate Holsteins, in all likelihood, most of these cows would be related to some degree, maybe siblings.

[cowman]

You know Rusty I remember the 70s fondly. I was young I was healthy I was making big bucks. I believe the Interest rates peaked about 1982 at the height of the devistatation of the NEP. You know, when Trudeau stold our oil?
I remember I cashed in Canada Savings bonds that yielded 19.5% interest and bought a brand new Oldsmobile for cash. The dealers were so desperate , you could name your own deal!
I owned my own home and I had a good job. Things were sweet.

[rsomer]

The USDA officials have admitted that compliance with the 1997 order to ban ruminant protein was low as 75%. Information that has come forward at the USDA briefings tell us that there are 1826 firm in the United States that handle the prohibited ruminant protein that was banned in 1997. As many as 425 of these firms were known to be in noncompliance with the ban at any one time. Two firms were known to still not be complying with the feed ban on the day the Washington Holstein was slaughtered on December 9, 2003.
As for the origin of the Washington Holstein, according to the USDA briefings three Holstein downer cows were tested for BSE at Verns Moses Lake Meats in Moses Lake, Washington on December 9, 2003. Two came back negative and one of course was positive. The ear tag could have come from any one of these three cows.

[Muttley]

In 1981 I bought a 78 Chev 1/2 ton for 4500.00 cash from the local dealer. You can still find them for close to that today. In the 70's we were buying new trucks for 500 to 1000.00 difference. My payments per month are that now!!!

[kato]

I also remember the 70's fondly, except I was young and healthy and had no money at all.

We started farming in a world of 20% interest rates. It was a good time if you had money, but boy, if you were borrowing, it was another story! We were borrowing.

The most important thing we learned over the years is to just remember...the banker is NOT your friend...he is working for the bank, not your best interests. If you keep that in the front of your mind, you'll be OK.

[ivbinconned]

Yes what a stunning revelation it was to learn that while my bank was charging me 22% on all my farm loans they where only charging 3-4% on loans to other countries like Poland so they could buy what I produced.
And I thought they where on my side.