Cadogan Rodeo

A buckin’ bronc bids farewell to this cowboy as he takes a genuine flying leap on Sunday at the Cadogan Rodeo. ©Provost News Photo.
More Photos in May 28 edition of The News.
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Mad Cow Scare Affecting Some Here
Rancher: ‘The U.S. Border is so Critical for us’
Provost Livestock Exchange voluntarily called off its regular sale last Friday following an earlier report of one case of mad cow disease in northern Alberta (PN May 21).

Spokesman for the auction business in Provost, Jerry Hewson told The News that they are awaiting tests from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before they decide what to do next. Although most markets have closed down in Alberta, Hewson says he knows of some that remained open.

Hewson said that he was “shocked” and “not very happy” when he first heard the news about a case of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) commonly known as mad cow disease.

United States and some other countries closed their borders to Canadian beef following the announcement.

By Friday afternoon, May 23, 13 farms were under quarantine, eight in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, and three in B.C. Internationally sanctioned rapid tests were being performed in Winnipeg on the case herd.

On Monday, May 26 it was reported that initial tests done on the index herd of Alberta's single case of BSE indicate no other cases of BSE, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

“We have always remained confident in our beef industry,” said Ralph Klein, Alberta Premier. “These results are the first step forward in resolving this issue and getting past this difficult time for our industry and for all Albertans.”

Shirley McClellan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development agreed. “It is good news that this herd is free of BSE, but we will keep these results in perspective. The investigation is justifiably widespread and it is continuing.”

She said Alberta will continue to work closely with federal and provincial governments. “We all want to bring this comprehensive investigation to a timely end. We need to restore absolute confidence in our beef industry and our food safety systems.”

CFIA, along with assistance from Alberta and other provincial governments, will continue to investigate the origin, rendered remains and calves of the lone cow infected with BSE.

Only one cow has been identified as infected with BSE.

Rest of story and pictures and in May 28 edition of The Provost News.
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