Cattle Health & Well-Being Committee

Animal health challenges facing the cattle industry was the focus of the Cattle Health and Well-being Committee that met Friday during the 2003 Cattle Industry Convention. Attendees were given updates on the new department of Homeland Security; TB and Brucellosis efforts in the country; and the animal care guidelines being developed.

Bob Frost, President of the U.S. Animal Health Agency (USAHA) urged the beef industry to support modernization of the USDA labs in Ames, IA, and at Plum Island. Frost reported that the labs are more than 50 years old and in disrepair. He said "These are the two most important laboratories in the country. If a foreign animal disease incident occurs in this country, they’d be buried in a day. We’re not ready."

Frost added that funding is needed to improve these facilities so the industry can respond to foreign animal diseases. In addition he sought support from the cattle industry, saying, "We need your vigilance and input, so that these facilities can be improved."

Florida producer Wayne Godwin presented a report from the Emerging Cattle Health Issues Subcommittee and reiterated the importance of continuing the efforts of the industry in monitoring and responding to disease. He offered an update on the tick that causes heartwater and the fever tick and TSE diseases in wildlife. Godwin said, "These should be a concern to all of us. We must continue to develop research and response methods. Communication with the public is also an important aspect of this effort."

This committee also addressed the topic of animal identification. Chairman of the committee Gary Wilson said, "The need for animal disease surveillance and monitoring should be the driving force for ID in this country." Wilson, who has served on USAHA task force to establish policy in this area added that the industry needs a 48 hour traceback system which means electronic ID will be a necessity.

Discussion followed is presentation, again weighing the pros and cons of mandatory ID and the implications of country-of-origin labeling. Little consensus was met.

— By Kindra Gordon