April 2001
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Foot and Mouth Disease and YOU
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Everyone has heard about the outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Europe and elsewhere by now. Starting in February, a major outbreak of the disease has spread throughout England and Scotland, and has appeared as well in Ireland, France, and. the Netherlands. Germany has destroyed some animals from England that were exposed to the disease as well. What does this mean to us here?
First, it helps to understand the disease. FMD is probably the most rapidly contagious disease we know of in animals. It can infect cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and also all wild "cloven footed" animals (deer, elk, moose, wild pigs, etc.). It can also infect many rodents (rats) and other animals like hedgehogs in Europe. FMD virus can be carried in the noses of people and shed to animals, but it does not cause any illness in people. Animals show signs between 1 and 7 days after being infected. The disease causes fever and blister-like lesions, slobbering, and then sores on the tongue, lips, in the mouth, on teats, and between the hooves. Animals stop eating, are lame, lose weight, and drop milk production, leading to severe loss in milk and meat production. Not many animals die (about 2 % of adults and 20% of young animals), but the survivors are no longer economically viable. Surviving cows become carriers and can continue to shed the virus.
FMD is a tough virus and is very good at spreading. The virus gets into the animal either by being eaten or inhaled. Once the disease takes hold, it isshed from affected animals every possible way: in the air they breathe out, saliva, manure, urine, milk, and semen. FMD survives in the carcass of dead animals for a long time. The typical source of infection for a country is either contaminated meat or other animal products, or by someone carrying the virus on their shoes or clothes. Virus can travel great distances on the wind; more than 50 miles has been recorded. It can survive at least a month on clothing, truck tires, feed, forage, and other contaminated objects. It also survives for a long time in the environment of infected farms.
The virus has 7 major strains and over 60 subtypes and vaccines against one type do little against the others. This means that while vaccines may reduce clinical illness in some cases, they are not effective at stopping the spread in the long term. They are being used in Europe to try to slow down the spread, but vaccines are not a long-term solution. Vaccinated animals will still be killed later. For this reason, most countries that can do so will try to eradicate the disease.
At present, if a farm in England is infected, all animals within 2 miles are killed and burned and no animals within 6 miles may be moved while they are watched for signs. The destruction and disruption of animal production in an outbreak is terrible; in England more than 1/2 million animals have already been destroyed. There are fears that the number could rise to more than 1/2 of Britain's 63 million animals.
What about the U.S. and Minnesota?
FMD was eradicated
in the U.S. in 1929 and later from Central America. It is still endemic in
South America, Asia, and Africa. No animal in Minnesota has any resistance to the virus.
These recent events certainly point to the need for concern, but there is no need for panic. State and federal government agencies have long worked to keep the disease away from our farms. Perhaps this is a time for all of us to express our appreciation for their quiet service. Current events are a reminder of why we need to continue to invest in their efforts. Producers here in Minnesota must play a key role in preventing the disease from getting a foothold here as well.
For now, there are some prudent things that Minnesota farmer should do. Many of them make good sense anyway, regardless of FMD:
o Do not let anyone who has been in Europe (or other endemic continents)
visit your farm until they have been in the U.S. for at least one
week. Insist if they visit that their clothes have been laundered and
shoes have been cleaned first. Any farm items from Europe should be
disinfected before being brought onto your farm. (including horse
items like saddles and other tack).
o If someone plans to travel to a FMD
outbreak country, tell them not to visit farms or other places where
infected animals might be (zoos, pastures, etc.)
o Do not allow meat products
from Europe onto your farm (salami, etc.)
o Do not import animals or semen
from Europe.
o Review your biosecurity program with your veterinarian and be
sure to insist that outsiders wear clean clothing and boots if they
are going to come in contact with animals or feed.
o For now, do
discourage tours of your dairy, visitors, and unnecessary traffic in
and out of your dairy.
o Look at your farm and see if there is a way to
reduce cross traffic between trucks and farm vehicles.
Finally, if you have ANY suspicion that the disease is on your farm, stop all movements on and off the farm and contact your veterinarian immediately and also call the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at 651-296-2942.
Some good web sites for more information:
Minnesota Board of Animal
Health: http://www.bah.state.mn.us/
USDA: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/ (this site has many other
links)
British information and map showing how the disease spread
there:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/footandmouth/flash/0,7365,443772,00.html
Prepared on March 29, 2001 by Dr. John Fetrow
College of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Minnesota. 612-625-3776
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WAYNE KOZITKA PRESENTED OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
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Each year Minnesota DHIA recognizes six field reps for their exceptional service to herdowners by presenting them with an Outstanding Service Award. Recipients are selected on the basis of test interval, quality of service, herd recruitment, equipment care and overall professionalism.
Wayne Kozitka, Wright County Field Rep, was presented with the first of these awards at the Wright County Annual Meeting held in Rockford in February. Wayne has been servicing herd owners in this county for the past 24 years. He is currently testing 55 herds and added 1 new herd in the last year. He is our top field rep for number of herds on basic type test, with 16 total. He is always looking for ways to help herdowners save money and yet still provide them with valuable management information.
Wayne is testing an average of 3000 cows every 33.4 days. His sample to processtime averaged of 2.4 days for the last year.
Wayne was the first field rep in Minnesota this year to organize a meeting offered by Minnesota DHIA and the University of Minnesota. The workshop topic was Milk Quality: Using DHI Records to Manage Somatic Cell Counts.
Wayne is a regular visitor to our state office, always asking what's new and how he can use the new services to help his herdowners better manage their dairy herds. He is concerned for the herdowner's welfare and genuinely cares about what he does. You're doing a great job Wayne! Thanks!
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CYNDI STIFTER RECOGNIZED AS ROOKIE OF THE
YEAR
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Anoter Wright County Field Rep, Cyndi Stifter, was recognized as the 2001 Rookie of the Year at the Wright County Annual Meeting held in Rockford. This distinguished award goes to a new field rep with less than 2 years of service and an outstanding record.
Cyndi first started testing for Minnesota DHIA in October 1999. Being a herdowner herself, she had a pretty good idea of what was involved long before she became a field rep. Her unit takes her all over the county and she has willingly put on many miles to get to them. She has also been very willing to help with relief testing when asked by neighboring counties.
Cyndi is currently testing 38 herds, having added 4 on herself in 2000. She is testing each herd an average of every 33.4 days and getting the reports processed in an average of 2.6 days. Her unit is 2883 cows strong.
We at Minnesota DHIA are glad Cyndi joined our team and hope that she stays for some time to come. Keep up the great job, Cyndi!
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COWS FOR SALE
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Guernsey National Convention Sale - June 25, 2001 - Jordan, MN - Scott County Fairgrounds. 50 lots selling. For free catalog or more information call the American Guernsey Association at 614-864-2409 or visit them on the web atwww.usguernsey.com . Or Call Paul Fritsche of New Ulm, MN at 507-359-7766.
For Sale - Complete Holstein dairy herd. 34 milking cows, DHI records. For more information, call Steve Schilling of Hennepin County at 952-955-3523.
Lynn Peterson of Pope County has 6 holstein heifers for sale. They are due to calve in May. Call Lynn at 320.965.2378.
Michael Hommerding would like to sell his entire herd of 34 grade Holsteins. For more information, please call him at 218-756-3759.
For Sale - Complete Holstein Dairy Herd. 95 cows, no BST, young herd, DHIA records. Please call Roger & Teri Hommerding at 320-764-7726.
David Kanopik of Morrison County is selling 22 Holstein cows, several are registered. For more information, please call him at 320-547-2476.
John & Robert Huelskamp of Nicollet County are selling 8 Holstein heifers. If you would like more information, please call them at 507-359-9166.
Reg & Liz Vinkemeier of Carver County would like to sell their entire herd of Holstein cattle. Total of 143 animals, 61 cows in milk. All Select Sires - Select Mated for 20 years. For more information, please call 952-955-2330.
Cows For Sale is a service of Minnesota DHIA. Members can advertise for just $2.50 per animal with a maximum of $50 per herd (good for 60 days). For more information, talk to your Field Rep on sample day or call us at 800-827-3442.
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ID YOUR COWS FOR LIFE. USE PLASTIC EARTAGS FOR BETTER RETENTION.
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In addition to Fearing eartags, Minnesota DHIA now offers the full line of Z-tags for sale. Studies indicate up to 95% retention rate!
You may choose from several different styles, such as 1-piece numbered or blank, 2-piece button back numbered or blank, long neck calf tags, feed lot tags, sheep & goat tags. You may also order any of these tags with different printing options including American ID, your farm name, management number, sire & dam name, etc.
To order or for more information, please call Joyce at 800-827-3442.