04/17/07 Addy cow deaths remain a mystery; Palouse River study

Washington Ag April 17, 2007 After conducting a detailed investigation into the deaths of 50 to 60 cattle at a former dairy in Addy, Washington the state Department of Agriculture says investigators have found no serious animal diseases or toxic contamination of the animal's feed that could have caused the fatalities. Washington State Veterinarian Leonard Eldridge says they found no threat to the health of people or other animals and they were not able to identify a common cause of death of the cattle. Eldridge says we may never know specifically what killed the animals. The state vet has advised the herd owners of the results of the investigation and has suggested the owners take steps to improve the general sanitary conditions on the farm and seek consultation on herd health management and nutrition. Eldridge also advised that a veterinarian should immediately examine any additional dead animals. A new study of pollution in the Palouse River is about to get under way. The Department of Ecology is holding a public meeting Wednesday, April 25th to provide information about the effort. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western in Colfax. Ecology says the Palouse River and Rebel Flat Creek have problems related to fecal coliform bacteria, warm temperatures, insufficient dissolved oxygen, and too many nutrients. The study begins a multi-year process of developing a water-quality improvement plan. I'm Bob Hoff.