News Update

Angus Update
Jan. 3, 2006

Cattle Can Use Snow as a Water Source

Due to the recent snows in the plains states, electricity has been lost and snowdrifts have made it impossible for some livestock to have access to water sources. Studies conducted in Canada and the United States indicate that adult cattle, sheep and horses are able to use snow as their primary source of water. They stated that the heat produced from feeding/grazing and normal body metabolism is apparently more than adequate to melt the ingested snow and bring it to body temperature. There were no metabolic differences observed between animals given snow or water, and there is apparently no additional metabolic energy required for cattle wintered in this manner. The Canadians concluded that snow provided producers with an additional option as a water source for livestock during the Alberta winter.

Quinn Cattle Co. in Northwest Nebraska, working with animal scientists at the University of Nebraska, has applied this research with reportedly excellent results. Over a five-year period, they have wintered adult cows from 45 to 70 days with snow as their major source of water. They stressed the importance of cattle knowing how to eat snow, because it is a learned behavior. It is also critical that adequate snow be available, and that it does not form a hard crust, preventing them from obtaining enough snow to meet their needs.

So it appears snow is a viable water source for cows that are gestating, especially if there is not a thick, hard crust. Reports also indicated that the fetus is not compromised. It has been reported that cows that are lactating cannot obtain enough water from snow, and milk output will be reduced.

— by Rick Rasby, professor of animal science, University of Nebraska

Cattle Producers File Appeal Brief to Continue Challenge of Rule That Allows Cattle, Beef from BSE-Affected Countries

R-CALF USA has filed a 52-page brief to urge the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remand the organization’s litigation against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) back to the District Court – District of Montana where the arguments and evidence contained in its lawsuit would be considered under the legal standards established for judicial review.

This latest action stems from R-CALF USA’s litigation against USDA, begun in January 2005, which claimed the agency’s final rule on “Minimal Risk Regions: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and the Importation of Commodities” unjustifiably relaxed long-standing import restrictions for countries affected by BSE and was inadequate to protect the U.S. cattle industry from the introduction of BSE from Canada.

To view a copy of the entire brief, visit the “BSE-Litigation” link at www.r-calfusa.com.