But before this occurs, some good buys will give beef a competitive edge on pork this summer and fall. USDA made its goal to eradicate brucellosis from cattle herds in the United States by Dec. 31, 1998. But having the nation's herds completely clean of the reproductive disease in 1999 and beyond may be a tough timetable. The current rate of brucellosis reduction simply will not allow that goal to be met by then, says the Livestock Conservation Institute. Considering this, the Southern Animal Health Association met with USDA officials and developed an emergency action plan for the final phase of the Brucellosis Eradication Program.
Brucellosis often causes female cattle to abort.
Resolving beef and poultry inspection would have impact Kansas State University reports there would be a 7 percent cost reduction over time in beef processing if beef were inspected on a level playing field with poultry. Consumers would benefit. So would cattlemen. The K-State research found retail beef prices would decline by 5.7 percentm retail beef consumption would increase by 3.9 percent, and live cattle prices would rise by 2.4 percent. The study found that using an equal inspection system for meat would result in reductions in retail pork and poultry consumption - and decreases in live hog and wholesale broiler prices.