Ensuring the safety of feed for beef cattle

Publication date: 31/03/2017
Extent: 10 pages

Contributions by: Grant Dewell, Iowa State University, USA

Chapter synopsis: The unique ruminant digestive system of beef cattle enables them to eat and digest a wide range of feed products, including by-product or alternative feeds not utilized in other livestock production systems. It is important to ensure that the various feed products provided to cattle will not pose a food safety risk to the people who consume beef products. This chapter will provide an overview of the three major areas where food safety risks can be introduced via feed material: purchase of contaminated feed products, contamination during storage and contamination of feed due to mixing or delivery errors. In each case, measures to prevent unacceptable risk are also briefly considered.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0008.08