bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Timeline of events in the BSE crisis

November 27, 2023

The history of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also commonly named mad cow disease, began in the mid-1980s and even lingers today.

The cow that stole Christmas – an oral history

Twenty years after mad cow disease arrived in the U.S., those who experienced the crisis look back on the disease that staggered American beef and the long road to restore its reputation.

November 24, 2023

David Cooper

It was 20 years ago that the U.S. beef industry spun into unprecedented turmoil during a holiday break – all because of one cow.

Atypical case of BSE found in South Carolina

May 30, 2023

Allyson Dalton

On May 19, the USDA announced a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) found at a South Carolina slaughterhouse. It was confirmed to be an atypical case, and the USDA assured the animal never entered the slaughter channels or the food supply and was of no risk to human health.

Dial up biosecurity, dial down disease risk

Is your dairy prepared for a foreign animal disease threat? Your biosecurity plan is your best line of defense.

March 31, 2023

Heather Roney

Observing the effects of disease outbreaks in other animal agriculture industries creates an opportunity for dairy producers to look more closely at their biosecurity practices and ask, “Is my dairy prepared for a foreign animal disease threat?”

Brazil beef exports to China stall after BSE case; NCBA calls for U.S. ban

March 9, 2023

Carrie Veselka

Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry confirmed a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on Feb. 22, triggering an automatic ban on beef exports to China.

NCBA urges Vilsack to halt Brazilian beef imports

November 16, 2021

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has called on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to immediately suspend all imports of fresh beef from Brazil to the U.S.

In the news: BSE discovered in Brazil, stalling exports to China

September 28, 2021

Carrie Veselka

The Brazilian agriculture ministry recently confirmed two cases of “atypical” bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Potential impacts of Brazilian BSE on the U.S. meat complex

September 16, 2021

Elliott Dennis

The week of Sept. 6, the Brazilian government announced the discovery of several atypical cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as mad cow disease.