Atypical BSE

[WiltonRanch]

I think the program has got better IF you do the record keeping in an organized way. I don’t Lol But I only have a small number so I could theoretically go through and know which ones went where and stayed. The ones that have been slaughtered go bright red I believe, on the CCIA site, so it wouldn’t be hard to translate that to ones own records.

Shtferbrains, I can’t do a mature bull here, no. However if I take any stock to the auction and they don’t have RFID tags then the auction charges to install them. (I’m skeptical the auction actually does this, they just charge for it) Now if the auctions actually started doing this, or do do it, then the records should technically trace back to me anyway.

Similar to GDR I tag everything as calves when I can easily do it. Periodically they lose the tag so I then retag if and when I need too. If their original tag has already been input into the system then I can link the new tag to the old tag. If I haven’t uploaded anything then I just put the new tag in and it’s like the old tag never got used.

It also seems to be a very common practice in private sales of sending a button in a bag along with any animal bought. Which is probably exactly how the CFIA prefer they be used hahaha……

Reminds me of working in the yards years ago. We were diligent to tag the untagged. Even the worst bulls (only good thing about a Paysen squeeze). Most memorable tag job was a calf with no ears. The owners were good enough to attach the tag and button on a bale twine around its neck.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

The 2015 one? I thought that was traced to her being old from before the stricter feed ban. I don't recall it being the spontaneous, atypical strain.

I've never heard of it being caused by anything environmental. But then again most of the cases I've heard of it are all from the States. They don't seem to ever have BSE from feed, except from cattle traced back to Canada, all their home ground cases are spontaneous.

Would be interesting to see what does increase chances of it.

No, this goes back to the 2003 cases. I believe he was in or from Alberta, did a lot of research in both wild animals and cattle, and concluded that the misfolded prions were a result of copper deficiency, allowing Manganese to take the place of copper. His theory also revolved around sonic booms or similar such as from the weapons test range where many of the wild cases of CWD were found.

He was in the news at the time, but I can't find anything now. Died shortly after as I recall.

[WiltonRanch]

No, this goes back to the 2003 cases. I believe he was in or from Alberta, did a lot of research in both wild animals and cattle, and concluded that the misfolded prions were a result of copper deficiency, allowing Manganese to take the place of copper. His theory also revolved around sonic booms or similar such as from the weapons test range where many of the wild cases of CWD were found.

He was in the news at the time, but I can't find anything now. Died shortly after as I recall.

Mark Purdy was his name. He was on a bit of a speaking tour with his theory. Could be plausible I suppose. I’m not a scientist though. Sonic booms though that’s not believable but neither is a lot of stuff we hear. Only thing a sonic boom has been proven is to cause charolais cattle to run through fences, simmentals to jump over, angus to wiggle through and Herefords prolapse. 😁

[mcfarms]

Have you been able to secure any higher prices as a result of the verified beef program? I assume to capitalize you would either have to make a private calf sale or sell as fat cattle direct to a specific packer?

I like the freeze brand idea, does that present any confusion with the brand inspectors?

Sorry I missed your question , our brand is freeze branded in its proper location no comment from Brand ins. as of yet.
Not really happy with number of animals being processed through the verified channel but we do sell them in the fall and can't control the buyer. that is being discussed for 22 we may change sale route and go directly to a VBP+ feedlot been pretty unimpressed with the local auction mart the last few years also as they are asleep with where our industry has to go, we have had some discussions about a VBP specific sale or something online we will see. As far as I'm concerned I believe this is the way we have to go in this industry for future consumer buy in, we are probably more unhappy though about lack of carcass data being fed back to us by the system as we were hoping to get that from the program and the rest of the chain has not been doing their part of what we feel they need to do in order to improve the end product to consumers and maintain consumer confidence.
The premium is supposed to come from the end user but right now Cargill is the only plant that is paying so if they end up in Brooks you get nothing.

[GDR]

Sorry I missed your question , our brand is freeze branded in its proper location no comment from Brand ins. as of yet.
Not really happy with number of animals being processed through the verified channel but we do sell them in the fall and can't control the buyer. that is being discussed for 22 we may change sale route and go directly to a VBP+ feedlot been pretty unimpressed with the local auction mart the last few years also as they are asleep with where our industry has to go, we have had some discussions about a VBP specific sale or something online we will see. As far as I'm concerned I believe this is the way we have to go in this industry for future consumer buy in, we are probably more unhappy though about lack of carcass data being fed back to us by the system as we were hoping to get that from the program and the rest of the chain has not been doing their part of what we feel they need to do in order to improve the end product to consumers and maintain consumer confidence.
The premium is supposed to come from the end user but right now Cargill is the only plant that is paying so if they end up in Brooks you get nothing.

I have never heard at the auction marts close here any mention of VBP on regards to calf sales, that's why I asked. What sort of premium at cargil a cent or 2? Carcass data would always be interesting but might be an eye opener for lots of guys. Hair color not as good of a grading factor as most calf buyers think.

Not being critical of what you are doing at all but I'm basically against programs like this even though most components are really part of general beef stewardship. The problem is that for the first time period there is a premium until adoption gets mainstream, then price settles back down and ends up being a discount for non followers instead of a premium for the guys on board. More work for nothing. Then the goal posts get moved and the cycle starts all over again.

[WiltonRanch]

I have never heard at the auction marts close here any mention of VBP on regards to calf sales, that's why I asked. What sort of premium at cargil a cent or 2? Carcass data would always be interesting but might be an eye opener for lots of guys. Hair color not as good of a grading factor as most calf buyers think.

Not being critical of what you are doing at all but I'm basically against programs like this even though most components are really part of general beef stewardship. The problem is that for the first time period there is a premium until adoption gets mainstream, then price settles back down and ends up being a discount for non followers instead of a premium for the guys on board. More work for nothing. Then the goal posts get moved and the cycle starts all over again.

Yes. My thoughts too when age verification came out I did it loyally for a few years and soon forgot about it when it wasn’t necessary. All these things like vbp, the grid, preconditioned calves, natural beef, angus tags it’s all great till one paying extra for it forgets about it. I don’t think it’s a premium before mainstream but a premium until money isn’t there. Too much government meddling and cows disappear. I have no time or desire to mess with this stuff

[shtferbrains]

The theory is your suppose to get paid for the extra expense and effort?

There doesn't seem to be any extra pay for anything unless the scales are totaly tip in favor of the producer.

Packers seem content to squeeze every nickel possible. Wasn't always that way.

[mcfarms]

I agree with what all three of you say, we are giving it a fair chance and if I don't see the value of it fairly soon we'll step away from it as well, now that we have it up and running its not a lot of extra work to take the smart phone out and enter things we need to keep track of anyhow. Whether anyone else besides us is going to see that information much longer depends on the rest of the chain.

[Blaithin]

I’ve heard of an auction, I believe Westlock? making it obvious when VBP animas run through.

Never specifically seen it happen at Olds.

The only difference I can see in this program that may keep it going better/longer is the companies driving it. They’re the big names like McDonalds that have committed to huge health and emissions goals by 2050 or whenever. VBP is their way to document and prove that their claims are true.

Biggest hole is JBS. Even if the animals make it all the way through the feed chain, their chances get chopped by which packer they end up at.

So either JBS gets on board or Cargill commits to contracting all VBP animals ahead of non.

[littledoggie]

Oh no.

https://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/daily/korea-suspends-canadian-beef-imports-after-bse-case/?utm_source=GFM+Publications&utm_campaign=e0a6ec2c 53-Canadian

[TSIPP]

We can add China and the Philippines to the list, maybe the Chinese ban will last a few months like the ban did with Brazil.

[shtferbrains]

China buys most of the drop like tripe, tongue, heart and organ meat. High value product there.Lots of hides.
Opprtunity to cause some distressed pricing.
Will bring it through Macau, Hong Kong, Viet Nam etc.

Will our packers discount the producer?
Only as much as they can.


Says here drop value $14.61 per hwt live wt on steers. About $200 hd. More for cows. Lot more than it used to be.

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/articles/schulz/SchDec21.html

They used to say the drop paid the plant operating cost. Might do more than that now.