Pull the Scab

[PPRM]

I read and think and read a lot. Had dinner with some freinds last night and it became painfully clear I was the most read person on the BSE issue there. I am so read that anyone can make a point and I can make a pretty good counter-point, lol. And I am definetly not as read on the issue as many here. My point is a lot of people have some pretty uninformed opinions and they can be pretty adament.

The problem is this isn't a simple issue. Lots of good folks on both sides of many issues. I have sat pretty silent for a long time trying to digest opinions and facts and determine what mine were. They have changed and my opinion really isn''t the point here.

Let me preface this by saying I read Judge Cebul's decision and something became painfully clear to me. If we continue the road we have taken we will continue to have perodic postives pop up. Doesn't help anyone on either side of the border.

I think it is time to "Pull the scab". Does either country really know the extent of BSE in North America? We can all call the score as we see it, but what is out there? USDA has made one critical mistake and that has been they have stubbornly held to a position in the face of new BSE cases in Canada. This hasn't helped the Canadians and ultimitely, lead to a decision by a judge that really makes the US look bad in the eyes of Asia.

Some point to the cost of testing. Well, the uncertainty and the future possibility of positives after we continually say, "hey, we're ok,", that will also cost dearly. Do we know we aren't ok?? No. Do we know we are ok??? No. Then how do we know our future?????

I am not calling for 100% testing. But I think more testing is appropriate. Lets start with testing for where the biggest payback would be. That is cattle whose Beef is destined for Japan. Second biggest payback, cattle where SRM's are being removed. If we can test and keep the SRM's in, not only do they have value, but the rendered product would also have more value, my opinion. This second group also should give a truer idea of if there's a problem and the extent of it.

Who pays for it??? I like Creekstones idea of we think there's enough premium that we would pay for it. In the second group, not only do you get the SRM recovery, you could potentially get more premium from being able to stamp, "certified BSE free". I think part of paying for it includs a little extra for a fund I will descriibe below.

My guess, and admitedly it is a guess, we could get a market funded testing level of 10-15% our herds and have a truer picture of the problem. Hey, it creates jobs too. Heck, it creates an industry. Depending on what we find, we will better understand if we need to alter the testing levels.

Guess what?? This works for both sides of the border. One thing I have noticed, when a cow tests positive, we aren't finding herdmates in North America that also have it. I think that is important and my understanding is that is unique from the european situation.

What if they find it in a cow from my herd??? One of the greatest joys I get in this business is producing a product that I think is good and has integrity behind it. I think most of us would rather be doing something else than making something if we find it would cause pain or injury to others.

Here's where the extra testing charges comes in and the cases where herdmates have come up negative. If they find a cow from my herd, this premium fund acts as insurance. In subsequent testing, the meat is not arbitrarily destroyed. These cases so far have shown it is probably good meat. I still get paid for the meat that is tested safe and the insurance fund helps me rebuild.

If you think this is going to be massively expensive, that means you think we have a huge number of cases. If so, we need to be testing more.

I have thought long and hard on this. I think what I am saying has a ton of benefits. We would have a market-funded program that helps us accomplish a lot. It tells us a truer extent of the problem if there is a problem. It gives consumers more confidence and helps us recapture lost export markets. It also may help boost domestic sales.

I am not arrogant enough to think I have the answers cornered. I appreciate feedback and hope this post is seen as being from someone who is trying to deal with this with integrity. As such, I welcome feedback that is placed with the same integrity and especially solution-based feedback.

I do see the road we are on creating tons of volatility and market fluctuations because as it is, there is too much uncertainty. Both side of the border make a product much too good to have to continually live with this,

I also feel this issue has caused to many strained relations, both personal and nationallly. It appears to me that the gut feel is at most, there's only a handfull of cases out there. It is the not knowing that causes fear and ,ultimately, discord. Let's get rid of the fear and go back to an iindustry that is moving forward,

[whiteface]

Wow! You want feedback?! I'll give it to you! Awesome post! I back you one hundred percent. Have a good day!

[Mike]

When asked "how many BSE cases could be FOUND in the US" one of the authors of the "HARVARD-TUSKEGEE RISK ASSESSMENT" concluded that as few as 1 and as many as 2000 could be found in the US herd.

The USDA should have used the "Risk Assessment" and taken a WORST CASE SCENARIO stance in eliminating and detecting BSE in the US, which is commonly done in the field of science. Had the USDA done this and the CFIA followed we probably would not be having this argument here today.


Your thoughts are well received Pat.

[Tommy]

Great post Mike. I agree, lets test more to find out if any are out there. So should Canada. It seems to me that they would want more testing done to prove they are finding all BSE infected cows.

[Jinglebob]

I agree with you Mike. Now, how do we get the powers that be, to listen and follow our thinking?

[Soapweed]

Great post, PPRM. All of your ideas show merit and functional possibilities.

PPRM: "We (by testing more for BSE) would have a market-funded program that helps us accomplish a lot. It tells us a truer extent of the problem if there is a problem. It gives consumers more confidence and helps us recapture lost export markets. It also may help boost domestic sales."

There is no reason, to my way of thinking, that Creekstone or anyone else shouldn't be able to test for BSE. This is America, and free enterprise should prevail. This is just another way of producing "value added" beef.

USDA should either "lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way". If they can't properly lead, then they should step aside and let private free enterprise do what is necessary to keep the Beef Industry viable.

I don't like the strong arm tactics of R-Calf, either. The Canadians are a great bunch of people and they raise high quality cattle and good-tasting beef. R-Calf has not treated the Canadians very nicely, and this could very well come back to haunt those of us who are ranching on the U.S. side of the border. What goes around, comes around. Like Big Muddy inferred, I was "just a wagon ride" away from being a Canadian rancher myself. If we don't open our border to Canadian cattle, the Japanese and others won't ever buy our beef.

PPRM, you have a good line of reasoning. I would be in favor of nominating you to a position of leadership in the Bush Administration, in the Cattle Commerce and Beef Quality Development Department. Here's to ya (as I raise my glass).

[rkaiser]

Once again 100% agreement from this test advocate.

Why not run a poll?

[PPRM]

Thanks Soap,


I enjoy reading your stories a bunch. I can feel the stories because there were a lot of guys like you in Wallowa County where I grew up. A great appreciation for what they had, they really helped shape and mold me. They had great integrity along with the great sense of humor.

Hope you continue to get to enjoy your family and what you have,

PPRM

[PPRM]

Oh, Soap, the Washington thing. .......

One thing I took from thise guys I grew up with was a real dislike for Arrogant, pompous suit type that tend to become Lawyers, Lobbyists and politicians, or worse yet, all the above. I tend to be an extremely civil guys, but might go to fists a few times if overexposed to thise types. Of course, that could make a guy more popular and powerful, lol,

[101]

Great Post !!! I have been reading this site, and the old one for over a year, and this one is the closest to my feelings yet. Just had to let you know how I felt about it! I do think we will have only ONE CHANCE to get this BSE ISSUE right with the consummers and for everyone in the Cattle Industry on both sides of the Border, I do not want to put blame on anyone on either side of the border of any cattle org. But our future depends on getting this right and we will have ONLY ONE CHANCE TO DO IT!! Virgil Smith,Milesville SD

[Sandhusker]

I think you're on to something there.

[sw]

PPRM,
great post. We need more people to do what you have done, read, learn, forge an opinion and come up with a solution. No name calling, no blame, but a possible solution. That is what we need right now, not courts and lawyers deciding our fate. Thanks