November 22, 2007

Pennsylvania tests 6,000 cattle for export

Pennsylvania's nationally-recognized veterinary laboratory is preparing more than 6,000 cattle for export to Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the next two months, according to state agriculture secretary Dennis Wolff.

All of the cattle underwent blood tests for diseases through the laboratory to meet rigid export requirements and to ensure animal and human safety.

Wolff said the testing is part of Pennsylvania's effort to facilitate large cattle exports in the future.

In 2006, Pennsylvania exported nearly US$23 million in livestock, the state ranking in the top 20 in national live animal and meat exports.

Between the end of November and the middle of January, the cattle will travel on four specially-designed cargo ships to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. All of the animals going to Saudi Arabia are bred Holstein heifers and the Turkey shipment includes some beef cattle, in addition to dairy heifers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is helping facilitate the export project with cattle collected from the state and across the country.

The Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory tests all of the cattle for brucellosis and bovine leukosis, among other diseases. The animals are then quarantined and vaccinated at the Pennsylvania Holstein Association's farm near Harrisburg before being shipped overseas.

Using Pennsylvania facilities to prepare the cattle for export is stimulating the state's economy, adding that transport companies, feed mills and veterinarians benefit from the increased business.