Mad Cow Disease and Dexters

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:35 am

I remember a while back it was said that Dexters and two other Irish breeds of cattle have a gene making them immune to mad cow.

Can someone give me a link to a properly research report or similar? I'm putting together the advantages of dexters and I think this is a positive thing.

Many thanks

Vicki

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:48 am

Hi Vicki

What I have deduced from quite a lot of research on the web is that no grass-fed cattle have ever contracted BSE. So from that it seems that Dexters may not have gone down with it because they are most often fed naturally, or a gene may be an additional attribute?

One of the best sources of information is the Union of Concerned Scientists who do some brilliant work. http://www.ucsusa.org/.

Wikipedia have some info as well http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_fed_beef.

Also, University of Idaho http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/range456/hot- ... d-beef.htm

Edited By Broomcroft on 1205991216

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:51 am

Hi Clive,

Many thanks for this.

Kind regards

Vicki

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:26 am

B.S.E. arose in this country, and records have always been kept of the animals slaughtered, you should be able to get confirmation from Defra that no Dexter has ever been slaughtered in this country, because it had contracted B.S,E.
Beryl (Woodmagic)

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:29 am

Hi Beryl,

Many thanks for your reply, now for want of sounding totally stupid Defra is?

I'm in Australia, so not sure who this is.

Regards

Vicki

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:56 am

DEFRA is the government department that controls agriculture and rural affairs in the UK.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:05 pm

And the devil on the backs of most UK farmers, but then every country has a government department of some kind that make farmers lives more difficult. :;):

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:20 pm

Oh Vicki, how I would love NOT to know who Defra are. :p

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:34 am

Hi Sylvia,

It's certainly interesting to read all the differences within the different countries for keeping cattle (dexters) and all the 'red tape departments' :laugh:

We have plenty of rules here as well, in the area I live (northern NSW) there's some tension at the moment as a dexter breeder brought in QLD cattle tick and this area was 'tick free'... hopefully it won't end up like the old days with cattle dips and the 'ticky visiting' to check all cattle. A real shame it was the Dexters, I can see it now... 'oh those Dexter cattle carry QLD tick, you don't want them'.

Regards

Vicki

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:41 am

Yep, we get the same sorts of accusations about our apples and trying to get them into Australia. It doesn't matter that Fireblight is already in Australia. ??? As soon as a bad rumour is circulated about a breed or product, its really hard to counteract it.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:11 pm

Vicki

Talking of red tape. We now have to have a certificate to transport livestock in the UK over 65km, which is fine, but I did my test today and passed it, like everyone else (so what's the point?).

Here's a typical question, see if you can get it...but you'll have to be on best form!

If you have an animal taken ill during transport, do you:
(a) call your local garage?
(b) stop and chuck it off the vehicle?
© carry on and ignore it?
(d) call a vet?

Do you know the answer? I exaggerate a little but actually not that much. During the test, some of the questions could have been attributed more than one of the answers, so the examiner kept on saying to me "Just imagine you work for DEFRA and all you see is a desk then give the answer you think they want!" :D Cost me £56 but I did get tea and biscuits afterwards to help me get over the ordeal, like when you give blood!

This topic is about Mad Cow Disease, and Dexters clearly don't suffer, but I am wondering whether it can be transfered to humans via paperwork. Anyone who works for DEFRA and reads this, I'm only joking, honest.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1208636323