Do genetically engineered feeds harm livestock?A review involving 127 published papers “revealed no disturbing trends in animal performance or health indicators.”

Consumer perceptions of food technologyA recent survey was conducted to evaluate consumer perceptions of food technology. Some of the interesting findings regarding labeling of food were:

What do consumers think about production practices?The Consumer Image Index, funded by the beef check-off, is a national survey of consumers’ thoughts about beef. Part of the most recent survey examined what consumers think about how beef is produced, and also how chicken is produced. Some findings:

The bST scare – 20 years and still goingEarly research established the recombinant bovine somatotropin, commonly called bST, increased milk production in dairy cows, and it was approved for commercial use in the U.S. From the start, some consumer groups expressed fears about supposed effects of bST on human health.

What is important to consumer?A survey was conducted of a sample of 1,950 consumers representative of the U.S. population. Respondents were asked to indicate relative value of 11 attributes of ground beef, beef steak, milk, and chicken breast. Freshness and safety ranked highest.

New rules for traceability, trich and fever ticks
; the Texas Animal Health Commission has released some amended regulations:

Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance continues to be a topic of wide interest. This past November, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture held a symposium on “Bridging the Gap between Animal Health and Human Health,” the third in a series on antibiotics.

Ethanol for fuel may be reduced
The Energy Independence and Security Act (2007) required certain levels of renewable sources be incorporated into fuels, with levels increasing each year. The level of ethanol mandated for 2014 is 14.4 billion gallons. Based on several factors, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed reducing that by about 9 percent. Less corn for ethanol production would mean more corn available for livestock feeding.

This newsletter is published by Texas AgriLife Extension and edited by Dr. Stephen Hammack, professor and extension beef cattle specialist emeritus. Browse the sections below to learn about recent hot topics in the cattle industry. Antimicrobial resistance in humans – what’s to blame?
Use of antibiotics in livestock is often blamed for increasing antibiotic resistance in humans. A recent joint report by the United Kingdom Department of Health and the Department for Environmental Food & Rural Affairs indicated the main cause of such resistance in humans is antibiotic use in humans.

This newsletter is published by Texas AgriLife Extension and edited by Dr. Stephen Hammack, Professor & Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Emeritus. Browse the sections below to learn about recent hot topics in the cattle industry. Mandatory country of origin labeling (mCOOL) marches onAt least for now. The USDA issued its final order on mCOOL effective May 23. Any penalties for not complying will not be imposed for six months. The new regulations are essentially as proposed by USDA. Labeling will be more definitive as to country of birth, raising, and processing.