Missouri Officials Closely Monitoring Mad Cow In Canada

Authorities in Canada have discovered Mad Cow Disease in a single cow in Alberta, and beef industry officials in this state are watching developments. Chuck Massengill with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says Missouri is a leading beef producer in the country, and we could see an impact on the industry in this state. But, Massengill, who also serves as an animal epidimiologist in the state veterinarian’s office, says the threat of the disease turning up in this country is not the same as other countries. He says first of all, U.S. producers are banned from feeding meat and bone meal from cattle and sheep. That feeding is believed to be at the root of what causes Mad Cow Disease. He says there is also a massive surveillance and testing system in this country. Massengill believes most consumers won’t shy away from beef. He says rained out barbecues on the east coast could have a bigger impact on beef consumption in the U.S. this weekend.