Here is another one where SL questioned the connection between the hoof and E by-product.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=80340&p=964686&hilit=hoof%2C+white+line#p964686
This is from a field test he conducted on 10 test and 10 control Holstein steers raised under identical conditions.
The 10 test animals were purchased from a dairy know to feed E by-products daily and had a history of foot and respiratory problems.
The 10 control animals were purchased from a dairy known not to feed E by-product and had only a history of an occasional case of mastitis.
Neither used any steroids.
4 of the test animals died the other 6 were sold.
All 10 of the control animals were also sold.
The 10 control animals weighed 43 lbs more per animal then the remaining 6 test animals and brought $.07 per lb more then the test animals when sold.
As for Merck and Zilmax:
I and SL, and others, believe Reuters has only explored one of the possible common denominators to this issue, when in fact there are 2 common denominators to be considered.
1. the use of Zilmax
2. the use of E by-products
As it was/is well know that E by-products were being used at a rate as high as 40% in feedlots, and knowing it's passiveness, it is our opinion that E by-products is the lowest common denominator, not Zilmax.
Where all this goes from here only the good Lord knows.
So lets all pray it gets resolves real soon so as not to further damage the cattle industry.
Liz