Fatigue, Worry Underlie Continuing Massive Livestock Relief Efforts in Hurricane-Affected Counties

Courtesy Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Almost two weeks after Hurricane Ike struck the upper Gulf Coast of Texas, shock is being replaced by worry, fatigue and nagging questions among ranchers in Chambers and Jefferson Counties. Massive efforts are ongoing to find and care for surviving domestic livestock, dig out from under debris and fallen trees and rebuild homes and ranching businesses.

"As I look into the faces of the cattle raisers who were hardest hit in the two counties, the worry and fatigue are clearly evident," reports Eldon White, executive vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), one of the organizations assisting with the relief effort.

"Ranchers are getting their cattle to pastures to get them settled, doctored and to restore their energy levels," explains Tim Niedecken, TSCRA executive director of association services. After a few days of quiet grazing, the cattle will be in good enough shape to be moved further into the state to short-term leased pastures. This will allow the pastures in the affected counties time to recover from the storm surge flooding. Both White and Niedecken assisted with the on-site relief.

To continue reading, visit the TSCRA Web site.

Texas Concerned About Cattle TB In Other States

Courtesy Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has measures in place in an effort to protect Texas' cattle tuberculosis (TB)-free status, after two more states — New Mexico and California — lost their TB-free status in September.

Minnesota's cattle TB status was downgraded in April 2008, and in Michigan, only the Upper Peninsula is cattle TB-free.

Cattle TB is caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis), which can be spread when infected cattle cough or snort, and nearby cattle — and other warm-blooded animals — inhale the bacterial-laden aerosol. A state can lose its TB-free status if two infected herds are detected within a 48-month period.

"Beef heifers from states with less than TB-free status must be individually identified before they enter Texas in feeding channels, but not consigned directly to a feedyard — either through a sale or directly entering for pasturing on grass or wheat pastures. Beef heifers consigned to Texas for breeding purposes must have a negative TB test within 60 days prior to entry, and these heifers will already be identified," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and executive director of the TAHC, the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.

To continue reading, visit the TSCRA Web site.