Don’t Send that Cow to Market! By: Dr. Dan Thomson and Dr. Tiffany Lee, Kansas State University
Cull cows and bulls represent 35 to 45% of all cattle slaughtered for beef in the United States (NASS-USDA, 2013). Even though the welfare of most beef and dairy cows is good for the majority of their lives, as they reach their production potential and decline due to disease, anatomical/mechanical disorders, or old age, welfare can become severely compromised. When cows depart from the herd because of sale, slaughter, or death, they are usually termed “cull” animals (Fetrow et al, 2006). In dairy cows, reproduction, mastitis, decreased yield, udder conformation, and feet/leg problems are the most common reasons that animals are culled from herds (Bascom & Young, 1998). In beef cattle, reproductive failure, feet problems, vaginal and uterine prolapse, cancer eye, lump jaw, and udder conditions are the most common reasons for culling (Greer et al, 1980). Cull cows from beef and dairy farms are a significant source of beef produced in our country. Cull cows and cull bulls can represent up to 20% of a cow/calf operation’s revenue. Although cull cows and bulls are important to beef production, they are often not discussed when it comes to food safety and animal welfare. In this column, we will discuss improving the quality of cows presented to the auction barn or the slaughter facility. Why is this topic important? The producer perception is that cull cows wind up as ground beef. However, in the 2007 Market Cow and Bull Quality Audit performed by BQA, the authors indicated that 84.7% of cow slaughter facilities were producing ribeyes, tenderloins, inside round, strip loin and other cuts of beef from cull cows. Regardless of whether the beef is ground or sold as steaks, cull cows should be fit to transport and be fit to enter the food supply chain. The animals we send to slaughter reflect our industry as a whole. Some cows are not fit to be transported nor should they be sold to enter the food chain. Auction markets are public places of business and it must be considered that animals sold there are being presented to the general public. In the end, we need to stop sending impaired cattle through the marketing system and we need to keep them out of the food chain. Down or debilitated cows going to slaughter or mistreated are not representative of our industry, but they are the potential poster child for a group wanting to make a video of animal mistreatment. By law, animals which are unable to walk are not accepted at any packing plant, small, medium or large.
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