[Prairie_Beef] [Fwd: Cattle Charge]

[Kevin Carpenter]

Hi all.  I was chatting with Donnie Yantis this weekend about Galloways,
how I thought they would do very well as grass-feed beef, and wandered
into the area of organic beef and the price premium it fetches (once a
sales channel is established).  That channel is key, since at least the
local Kirksville mass-market would pay below normal levels for the beef
just because its "different".

Anyhow, while talking organic, we were curious if the "Cattle Charge"
bagged food MFA sells as a "treat" for adults and as standard supplemental
feed for young cattle was medicated.  Turns out it is.  My note to him
below:

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Cattle Charge
From:    "Kevin Carpenter" <kevinc at mysticplains.org>
Date:    Sun, January 18, 2009 9:39 pm
To:      ironcowboy1998 at yahoo.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Per the label, its considered "medicated".  I looked up the active
ingredient, lasalocid, and its a growth enhancer.  It wouldn't be allowed
for organic beef.  Apparently its been in use since around 1985.

>From one reference:

"It is relatively nontoxic but gross overdosage of cattle causes acute
heart failure. Horses are very susceptible and the use of the compound in
them is prohibited. Animals may be found dead or show dyspnea, mucosal
congestion, diarrhea and cardiac irregularity and tachycardia."

Personally, I think I was happier not knowing virtually all non-organic
beef has this stuff in it.  Makes me wonder if traces of this is why beef
isn't considered healthy food for people with heart problems...

Kevin