Dairy Cow Not in Food Chain, but Still Causes Ripple in Cattle Futures

OMAHA (DTN) -- A dairy cow in central California tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), USDA announced Tuesday at a press conference. The animal is being held under California state authority at a rendering facility and will be destroyed. USDA said the cow never entered the food chain.

"It was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health. Additionally, milk does not transmit BSE," USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford said in a statement.

The rumor of a new case caused the live cattle futures market to close limit down, but the beef industry and government officials say the detection shows that prevention and surveillance programs are working.