State Veterinarian Issues Reminder to Utah Cattle Ranchers to Not Feed Pet Food to Their Herds

With higher feed prices facing Utah livestock owners, State Veterinarian, Dr. Earl Rogers, advises cattle ranchers to refuse any offers of low-cost pet food as a feed source for their animals.

Most pet foods contain waste material from ruminants, and if fed to cattle pose the threat of spreading BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy). Feeding ruminant to ruminant is strictly prohibited under federal and state law.

“It is possible that some pet food manufacturers who have heard of the depletion of feed sources in Utah because of drought and fire may offer their scrap material to Utah ranchers,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Earl Rogers. “While their offers to help our ranchers are commendable, both buyers and sellers must know that any pet food containing cattle or other ruminant material cannot be fed to other cattle.”

Any rancher or feed lot operator who feed such material to their animals faces severe federal and state sanctions. If it is discovered that any herd has been fed ruminant protein, the entire herd is immediately condemned and removed from the market.

The UDAF in partnership with the FDA regularly visit feed manufacturers to insure that ruminant protein is not being mixed with feed destined for other ruminants. Any food source that does contain ruminant protein must be clearly labeled.

The ban on feeding ruminant to ruminant is the number one deterrent to the spread of BSE. This safeguard is a critical link in protecting animal health, and keeping domestic and foreign markets open to U.S. livestock.

Posted December 11, 2007