For all cattle producers, it's especially important to pass this on to your friends, customers, and families not in the business. The following came via Dr. Jim Oltjen, UCD and from Janel Fisher, California Beef Council:

"In an update issued late yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additional findings in its ongoing epidemiological investigation into the case of BSE detected earlier this week in central California. 

The animal in question was 10 years and 7 months old and came from a dairy farm in Tulare County, California. The animal was humanely euthanized after it developed lameness and became recumbent. The animal’s carcass will be destroyed. The cow was tested as part of targeted BSE surveillance at rendering facilities. The USDA is continuing its epidemiological investigation and will provide additional information as it is available. The California Beef Council (CBC) will provide updates to producers as we receive them from the USDA and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). 

It is important to reiterate that this animal was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, did not enter food supply channels, and at no time presented any risk to human health."

In addition, the UCD School of Vet Med has provided the following links with the latest information and encourages you to use these references to answer questions. The Vet Med site will be updated regularly.

Vet Med: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whatsnew/article.cfm?id=2533

CDFA: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/BSE_Info.html and

USDA:  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/04/0132.xml&contentidonly=true

FDA statement on safety of milk: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm301850.htm

If you have questions about UC’s role in the BSE investigation, please contact Lynn Narlesky in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Office of the Dean, (530) 752-5257, lnarlesky@ucdavis.edu.