The Food and Drug Administration has proposed regulations that would prohibit the practice of feeding cows back to other cattle. Lyman, the author of the proposal, used colorful language to make his case – he referred to the practice as “mad cow disease,” BSE, processed ruminant protein, and “feeding cows to other cattle.” He went on to take Oprah Winfrey to court over her broadcasting the same conclusion as the FDA.
Problems with feeding cows to cows
The economic logic for feeding cows what we feed ourselves conflicts with the natural and evolutionary logic of feeding them what we would eat. While it may make financial sense to feed cows whatever you want, it does not make much sense in the long run. Not only does this cause disease, but it also leaves cows more vulnerable to infections. In addition, cows may get sick faster and eat less than their bodies would otherwise.
Benefits of feeding cows to cows
The health of cows is an important issue in farming. By sorting them into smaller groups, you can limit their dietary requirements. Compared to lactating cows, dry cows need less grain. Early weaning is a good practice because it improves the body condition of the cow and boosts her reproductive efficiency, resulting in better pregnancy rates in the breeding season. The calves born early will be larger and heavier at weaning.
Forage rations can also be supplemented with a low percentage of grain. This allows the cows to obtain maximum nutrition from forage, while also minimising the negative effects of starch fermentation on fiber digestion. However, grains do not correct major protein deficiencies. Instead, they can stimulate forage intake by supplying additional protein. If grain intake is already high, then the cows will not have enough protein for growth.
One of the most common customs among Hindus is to feed cows when buying a new home. This practice has been found to be beneficial for a household, as feeding cows is said to remove negative energies in the home. In Hindu tradition, feeding cows is considered to be a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The ritual is also associated with many other rites and customs. Cows, which are sacred to Hindus, are worshipped on special occasions.
Dangers of feeding cows to cows
BSE, or mad cow disease, is a persistent concern for the safety of food and animal feed. It is caused by an unconventionally transmissible agent – an abnormal prion protein. Other TSEs include scrapie in sheep and chronic wasting disease in deer. Cows that eat this manure can develop BSE. No vaccine or treatment exists for this disease, so there are no effective methods for prevention.
Some herbicides and rodenticides can cause toxicosis in animals, and cows may be particularly vulnerable. Herbicides can poison cows by ingesting large amounts of the chemicals used to spray plants. Although herbicides are safer for animals, they can still be poisonous in high enough concentrations to cause significant problems. Whether your cows consume the herbicides or not, it’s critical that you know what chemicals are toxic to cows.
The FDA took steps to protect the safety of food in the U.S. in April 2009, limiting the use of high-risk cow parts in animal feed. The riskiest parts of cows include the brains and spinal cords. These parts have the highest risk of containing an abnormal prion. While there are other risks, the risk of accidental contamination from cow parts is small. Cattle feed should only contain animal parts that are free of these toxins.
