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State vet tells cattlemen terrorist and disease threats keep him busy
In addition to guarding against terrorist threats, Frazier, a native of Brewton, also wars against foreign animal diseases that threaten Alabama's livestock. Frazier mentioned Brucellosis ("Bangs disease"), foot and mouth and BSE ("mad cow disease" but he didn't call it that; cattlemen don't especially like the term). Brucellosis has been pretty much eliminated in the United States but it and the other diseases are potential threats from foreign countries.
"Your average meal travels thousands of miles to get to your plate," he told the group. Much of what we eat is not produced in Alabama. Frazier said he and his staff are always preparing for "what if" situations that could strike the state's food chain. Frazier said he knew he was talking to cattlemen but he wanted to mention the state's poultry industry and the potential threat of Asian Influenza ("bird flu"). "Alabama is the third largest producer of [chicken] broilers in the United States. We produce over 20 million broilers a weekthat's 40 million wings," he observed. He related that if all of the corn grown in Alabama was put in a pile, Alabama's chickens could eat it in five days. He used the illustration to highlight that his responsibilities are not limited to the cattle industry. Frazier said he works for Agricultural and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks and that his office is responsible for the state's meat inspections. He also oversees diagnostic labs, including a new facility recently opened in Auburn. The state vet also pitched the National Animal ID Premises Registration, an effort to register Alabama's livestock as a guard against diseases and other threats. Frazier asked the group if they remembered seeing scenes on the TV news recently of the snowbound Midwestern states and of military personnel throwing hay out of Black Hawk helicopters to feed hungry cattle. "Emergency workers went to the state vet and asked for a list. Some folks had registered [under the national ID program] and those cattle are the ones who got the first loads of hay," he explained. Frazier agreed that it "is none of the government's business what you do on your farm" but said the ID program was created to be a resource and a help to farmers in a time of need.
Duelon Dunagan is president of the Clarke County Cattlemen's Association and presided at the annual meeting that featured a steak dinner. Committee reports were given and door prizes were given away and a cake auction was held to benefit the Cattlewomen's scholarship program.
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