11/23/07 Old Canadian cattle imported into the US again

The US Department of Agriculture began allowing the importation of older Canadian cattle into the US this week, the first time that's happened since restrictions went into effect in 2003 with the discovery of mad-cow disease north of the border. Cattle born after March first, 1999 may come into the US for sale, slaughter or breeding. The chief economist of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Gregg Doud says the weak American dollar plays a big role in the Canadian cattle importation. DOUD "These are cattle that continue to be owned by Canadians and are being custom fed in Nebraska, Kansas and even in Idaho and Washington state feedlots and that's simply because of the exchange rate. The cost to gain in Canada now is probably approaching somewhere near one dollar per pound of gain. In Nebraska you can put that same pound on to gain today because of the by-product from the ethanol plants, etc., about 60 cents." Some import opponents believe that US meat packing companies that own cattle in Canada will ship them to the US instead of buying from American ranches. USDA veterinarian John Clifford says the change was made to bring the US in line with World Trade Organization standards. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott