Cattle States Get Ready To Deal With New Mad Cow Regulation
Beef may be what's for dinner, but cattlemen say the economics of their business just don't pencil out anymore. They say that's why the cattle population in the U.S. has dipped to 42 million, and the number of new calves has not been so low since 1951. Corn prices pushed up by ethanol makers and more land being used to grow grains have all helped cut the cattle population.
Come April 27th, cattlemen (and women) will have a new regulation to contend with--a new rendering regulation that goes into affect that could affect their ability to dispose of dead cattle.
The new regulations bans the use of these carcasses in livestock feed if the cattle are over 30 months of age. This federal regulation is intended to prevent the spread of BSE or mad cow disease and will likely result in increased disposal costs for livestock producers.
Throughout cattle country, there is a concern that the regulation will cause some with a carcass to dispose of to just "dump and drive."
Cattle states are trying to handle the new realty on their own. For example:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Livestock Development Supervisor Curt Zimmerman says the feed ban regulation has presented challenges to the cattle industry.
"We asked producers, rendering companies, livestock organizations and state livestock experts to consider the impact of this ban and what disposal options would be available to beef and dairy farmers," said Zimmerman. "On-farm pick-up will remain an option for producers, and we're examining other disposal methods, such as composting and burial that may work for some producers."
While most rendering services in Minnesota have indicated they will continue farm pick-up of dead cattle, producers will be responsible for providing documentation proving the age of the cattle. If verification cannot be provided, the cattle will be considered to be over 30 months of age and producers will be charged accordingly by the rendering service. Producers are encouraged to discuss with their local feedlot experts and extension educators what options are best suited to their operation.
For more, go here.
Come to Yakima County, Washington State. We have over 72 CAFOs. (Concentrate Animal Feeding Operations. Mad Cow was found here. The dairies went underground and made mortality composting legal.What's wrong with that? No one is testing these cows. The owners need only put 2 feet of manure under the dead cow and three feet of manure on top. Then, the cows go into compost, some which is labeled, "Organic." How would you like dead, often disesed cows on your property and or in your food? What about prions? When is America going to wake up and realize? You don't put the bodies of sick animals back into the food chain.