Percentage Of Cattle Research Articles

Seroprevalence Of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Cattle in Thi-qar Province, Iraq

Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is a zoonotic disease that transmission by infected ticks bites and from animals that are main carrier host without clinical septum so the current study was aimed to serological detection antibodies of Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHV) in cattle of Thi-qar province. Sera were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to CCHFV using the commercially available double-antigen ELISA kit. The study was conducted on 262 cases of cattle (87 male and 175 female) infected with CCHF based on Infected with ticks. Blood samples were collected from different part in Thi-qar province AL-Rifai, AL-Shatra, AL- Naser and Suq-ALshuhk. The wholly percentage of infected cattle with antibodies was 169(64.5%) positive from 262 cases. Highly prevalence record in Al-shatra positive from150 \115positive (76.66%) The prevalence of antibodies was higher in cattle at age 2 to 3 years old 55(73.33%) than in cattle aged less than 2 years 49 (58.33%). In addition, the percentage of cattle with antibodies in female was higher compare in male. These results suggest that is (CCHV) widespread in the cattle populations southern of Iraq.

The uses of domesticated animals at the Early Bronze Age City of Wangjinglou, China

AbstractZooarchaeological research on the early Bronze Age in the Central Plain of North China has been focused mainly on two periods: the Erlitou culture (ca. 1900–1500 BC) and the late Shang Dynasty (ca. 1250–1046 BC). In this paper, our research on the animal bone assemblage from the Wangjinglou site, a walled city of the Erligang culture (ca. 1600–1400 BC), allows us to explore the use of animal resources and husbandry specializations during the time period between Erlitou and the late Shang. Domesticated animals, especially pigs and cattle, were dominant species in the faunal assemblage, while wild animals, mainly deer, were small in number. Moreover, the percentages of cattle and sheep were higher in prosperous phases at Wangjinglou and lower in the later phase during the site's decline. Analysis of the estimated death ages for various taxa suggests that pigs were raised for meat consumption, while sheep were used for secondary products. This research on Wangjinglou shows the varied nature of the animal economy at an early Bronze Age City in East Asia.

Simulation tools for assessment of tick suppression treatments of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus on non-lactating dairy cattle in Puerto Rico

BackgroundThe southern cattle fever tick (SCFT), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, remains endemic in Puerto Rico. Systematic treatment programmes greatly reduced and even eradicated temporarily this tick from the island. However, a systemic treatment programme that includes integrated management practices for livestock against SCFT remains to be established in the island. We describe a spatially-explicit, individual-based model that simulates climate–livestock–SCFT–landscape interactions. This model was developed as an investigative tool to aid in a research project on integrated management of the SCFT that took place in Puerto Rico between 2014 and 2017. We used the model to assess the efficacy of tick suppression and probability of tick elimination when applying safer acaricides at 3-week intervals to different proportions of a herd of non-lactating dairy cattle.ResultsProbabilities of eliminating host-seeking larvae from the simulated system decreased from ≈ 1 to ≈ 0 as the percentage of cattle treated decreased from 65 to 45, with elimination probabilities ≈ 1 at higher treatment percentages and ≈ 0 at lower treatment percentages. For treatment percentages between 65% and 45%, a more rapid decline in elimination probabilities was predicted by the version of the model that produced higher densities of host-seeking larvae. Number of weeks after the first acaricide application to elimination of host-seeking larvae was variable among replicate simulations within treatment percentages, with within-treatment variation increasing markedly at treatment percentages ≤ 65. Number of weeks after first application to elimination generally varied between 30 and 40 weeks for those treatment percentages with elimination probabilities ≈ 1.ConclusionsExplicit simulation of the spatial and temporal dynamics of off-host (host-seeking) larvae in response to control methods should be an essential element of research that involves the evaluation of integrated SCFT management programmes. This approach could provide the basis to evaluate novel control technologies and to develop protocols for their cost-effective use with other treatment methods.

Incidence of lameness and association of cause and severity of lameness on the outcome for cattle on six commercial beef feedlots.

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence of specific causes of lameness and the associations of cause and severity of lameness on the outcome for cattle on commercial feedlots. DESIGN Dynamic population longitudinal study. ANIMALS Cattle on 6 commercial feedlots in Kansas and Nebraska during a 12-month period (mean daily population, 243,602 cattle; range, 223,544 to 252,825 cattle). PROCEDURES Feedlot personnel were trained to use a standardized diagnostic algorithm and locomotion score (LMS) system to identify and classify cattle by cause and severity of lameness. Information regarding lameness cause, severity, and treatments was recorded for individual cattle. Cattle were monitored until they left the feedlot (ie, outcome; shipped with pen mates [shipped], culled prematurely because of lameness [realized], or euthanized or died [died]). Incidence rates for various causes of lameness, LMSs, and outcomes were calculated. The respective associations of cause of lameness and LMS with outcome were evaluated. RESULTS Lameness was identified in 2,532 cattle, resulting in an overall lameness incidence rate of 1.04 cases/100 animal-years. Realized and mortality rates were 0.096 cattle/100 animal-years and 0.397 deaths/100 animal-years, respectively. Injury to the proximal portion of a limb was the most frequently identified cause of lameness followed by undefined lameness, septic joint or deep digital sepsis, and interdigital phlegmon (foot rot). As the LMS (lameness severity) at lameness detection increased, the percentage of cattle that died but not the percentage of cattle that were realized increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results provided clinically useful prognostic guidelines for management of lame feedlot cattle.

Comparison of LCD array and IS6110-PCR with conventional techniques for detection of Mycobacterium bovis isolated from Egyptian cattle and Buffaloes

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial and major infectious disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Rapid diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis is considered one of the cornerstones for worldwide control as it permits early epidemiological and therapeutic interventions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate conventional techniques (tuberculin test, Ziehl Neelsen staining and culturing) in comparison with proven molecular laboratory techniques (LCD array and IS6110 PCR) for identification of Bovine tuberculosis. A total of 902 Egyptian animals (480 buffaloes and 422 cattle) were examined by tuberculin test, and the positive reactors were slaughtered. Tissue samples were collected for staining as well as culturing. Moreover, LCD array and PCR using IS6110 on DNA extracted from tissue and culture samples were carried out for molecular identification of M. bovis. According to the results, the tuberculin positive cases for cattle and buffaloes were 2.14% (9 cases) and 5.62% (27 cases), respectively. After post-mortem examination, the prevalence of tuberculin positive cases with visible lesions was 88.9% for cattle and 14.8% for buffaloes. Alternatively, these percentages were 11.1% and 85.2% for cattle and buffalo carcasses with non-visible lesions. The percentage of cattle and buffaloes showing positive culture was 88.9% and 62.9%, respectively. This percentage was 69.5% after staining with Ziehl Neelsen. In contrast, LCD array and IS6110 were 100%, confirming the isolation results. In conclusion, LCD array depending on 16S RNA and DNA hybridization with specific probes for detection of M. bovis are rapid, sensitive and labor-saving when combined with IS6110-PCR.

Prevalence ofEscherichia coliO157 in Midwestern United States cattle

Abstract. Cattle fecal material has been shown to be a major reservoir for the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157. Contaminated fecal material that comes into contact with the hide can lead to contamination of the carcass at slaughter. Thus, it is essential to minimize the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle feces in order to minimize the number of contaminated meat products. The Midwestern United States has variable weather patterns and is home to a large percentage of cattle used in the beef industry. The objective of this study was to determine if a prevalence difference of E. coli O157 exists among different Midwestern cattle herds and to assess fecal shedding in the winter and spring. Five Midwestern herds entering a single feedlot in Nebraska were sampled in February and May. Fecal samples (n=50) from each herd were collected and processed by multiple culture-dependent methods. Results of this study indicated that there was no difference in prevalence rates by location but a prevalence rate d...

Recent observations on site reactions in cattle to vaccination against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) using T1/44 vaccine in Zambia

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), a highly infectious and fatal disease of cattle present in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is usually controlled by mass vaccinations. However, vaccination against CBPP is known to cause site reactions in a percentage of cattle especially in primary vaccinations. In Zambia, a record of site reactions was kept for seven consecutive years from 2005 to 2011 to establish the level of the problem. In some areas, after 3 years of consecutive vaccination campaigns, immunization could not be implemented for a period of 2 years because of logistical difficulties or owner resistance. Whereas in the three preceding years when animals were vaccinated annually, site reactions were in the range of 6.2%; on resumption of vaccination in the herds that had not been immunized for 2 years, site reactions averaged 21.3%. This data shows that the T1/44 vaccine may cause severe local reactions in cattle if there is any break in annual vaccinations. It is therefore important for authorities to ensure that the cattle at risk of contracting CBPP are regularly vaccinated to avoid discouraging farmers from presenting their animals.

Prevalence of antibodies to bluetongue virus in large ruminants of Marathwada region of Maharashtra state

Aim: Seroprevalence study of BT antibodies in large ruminants of Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. Materials and Methods: A total of 246 serum samples of Cattle and Buffalo were screened for qualitative analysis of the BTV antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. Results: The results showed an overall percentage of BTV positive cattle and buffalo serum samples were 89.80% and 80% respectively. The results based upon the serum samples showing optical density values more than 50 per cent of the mean of negative control were taken as positive for presence of BTV antibodies. A high percentage of cattle showed BTV antibodies in places Parbhani (92.53%), Nanded (86%) and Aurangabad (81.81%). The percentage of BTV antibodies in buffaloes was 70%, 100%, 100% and 87.5% respectively in Parbhani, Nanded, Aurangabad and Hingoli. Conclusion: BTV antibodies were widely prevalent in cattle & buffaloes of Marathwada region and cELISA were found to be sensitive and effective for screening of BTV group specific antibodies.

ARCHAEOZOOLOGICAL MATERIAL FROM THE SETTLEMENT SITES AT LINNAALUSTE AND THE HILL FORT AT KEAVA

The present paper discusses the results of archaeozoological analyses of materials collected from the settlements of Linnaaluste and from the hill fort of Keava. Also the issues concerning the anatomical composition of bone material and the age of animals at slaughter are examined. The prevailing part of bone fragments belong to domesticated animals. The sheep/goats are dominating species in the materials of the Viking Age settlements (I and III). The percentage of sheep/goat is somewhat smaller and the percentage of pig is greater in the material of Final Iron Age hill fort. The relative importance of pig is even more prominent in the material of II settlement, which is mixed with bone fragments of later period. The percentage of cattle is approximately the same in all materials. The bones of game are few, the represented species are beaver, elk, fox, hare and bear. The comparative analyses of results are conducted; for comparison the archaeozoological data of other Estonian settlements and hill forts from Viking Age and Final Iron Age are used. 1 This study was supported by the target financed research project No. SF0130012s08 and grants from Estonian Science Foundation (Nos 7880 and 8526).

Prevalence of mixed trematode infections in an abattoir receiving cattle from northern Portugal and north-west Spain

Between February 2007 and January 2009, a total of 776 slaughtered animals were examined for the presence of Trematoda in the liver, gall bladder, oesophagus and stomach (rumen and reticulum)....

Overview of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and related events in Germany

Despite the emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) throughout Europe, Germany considered itself free of the disease. However, on November 26, 2000, the first domestic case of BSE appeared in the country, leading to public concerns about food safety. The occurrence of BSE within the country's borders had dramatic economic and social effects. The response of the German public and politicians far surpassed that in the UK, which was affected by the disease to a much greater extent. Germany's response to BSE was rapid, with new risk management policies, including testing a high percentage of cattle, implemented within months. To date, Germany has not had a case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). The strong public reaction to the identification of BSE in Germany demonstrates the importance of taking public perceptions of and concerns about zoonotic diseases into account in risk management decision-making.

Predicting cattle age from eye lens weight and nitrogen content, dentition, and United States Department of Agriculture maturity score1,2

This research explores the relationship between generally accepted and alternative cattle age-prediction methods and chronological age. Cattle (n = 386) of documented ages ranging from 370 to 1,115 d of age were used. Dentition (DEN), USDA maturity score (MS), lens weight (LW), and lens total N (LN) content were used as possible predictors of age. Correlations with age were determined: LW (r = 0.77); DEN (r = 0.74); LN (r = 0.71); and MS (r = 0.64). Stepwise backward regression was used to generate an age prediction equation: Age (mo) = -21.79 + 17.23(LW, g) + 0.038(DEN). By this equation, 38% of cattle </= 20 mo of age were verified as </= 20 mo of age. Independent measures verified the following percentages of cattle as </= 20 mo of age: LW (20.2%), MS (11.0%), DEN (9.6%), and LN (8.7%). The DEN verified that 87.6% were verified as <30 mo old, and LW verified 81.6% of cattle as <30 mo old. A separate group of cattle (n = 18) ranging in age from 1 to 12 yr were evaluated for lens properties, for which LW (R(2) = 0.91) and LN (R(2) = 0.92) were highly correlated with age. The LW and DEN were the best predictors of age for cattle 13- to 37-mo-old and yielded the most accurate age prediction when used in combination (R(2) = 0.67).

The Definition of Acidosis in Dairy Herds Predominantly Fed on Pasture and Concentrates

This cross-sectional survey examined the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and the effects of acidosis on the production of dairy cattle. Eight fresh cows, 3 primiparous and 5 multiparous (<100 d in milk), were selected randomly from each of 100 dairy herds in 5 regions of Australia. Rumen fluid was obtained from each cow by rumenocentesis and a stomach tube, and samples were tested for pH. Stomach tube rumen fluid samples were analyzed for volatile fatty acid, ammonia, and d-lactate concentrations. On the basis of the results of all assays, cows were categorized into 3 distinct categories (categories 1, 2, and 3) by cluster analysis. The percentages of cattle in categories 1, 2, and 3 were 10.2, 29.9, and 59.9%, respectively. Mean rumen pH for categories 1, 2, and 3 were 5.74±0.47, 6.18±0.44, and 6.33±0.43, respectively. Biochemically, categories 1, 2, and 3 were characterized, respectively, as follows: mean total VFA concentration (mM), 100.74±23.22, 94.79±18.13, and 62.81±15.65; mean ammonia concentration (mM), 2.46±2.02, 7.79±3.75, and 3.64±2.03; and mean d-lactate concentration (mM), 0.34±0.86, 0.28±0.97, and 0.12±0.51. Category 1 cows had higher propionate, valerate, isovalerate, and caproate concentrations and were of lower parity than cows in other categories. Cows in category 1 had higher milk production but lower milk fat content than category 2 cows. Herds were assigned to 1 of 3 groups according to the numbers of cows assigned to each category. Herds with ≥3 of the 8 cows in category 1 were classified as acidotic. Herds with ≥3 of the 8 cows in category 2 were classified as having suboptimal rumen function, and herds with ≥3 of the 8 cows in category 3 were classified as normal. Herds that had 3 or more of the 8 cows in category 1 (acidotic herds) had diets with higher energy and nonfiber carbohydrate contents and a lower neutral detergent fiber content than herds with a high prevalence of category 2 or 3 cows. The lack of significance of a herd effect in the statistical models developed suggests that the categories were robust across production systems, in which diets varied from all pasture to total mixed rations. A point prevalence of 10% (95% credible interval, 8 to 12%) of cows with an acidotic profile indicates a high risk for acidosis in the cattle sampled. The higher nonfiber carbohydrate and lower neutral detergent fiber contents of diets for herds with a high prevalence of category 1 cows (acidotic herds) indicates that there may be opportunities to reduce the risk of acidosis by dietary manipulation.

Evaluation of an antigen capture ELISA for the early diagnosis of Hypoderma lineatum in cattle under field conditions

An antigen capture or sandwich ELISA (sELISA) was evaluated for the diagnosis of Hypoderma lineatum in cattle under field conditions in northwestern Spain. The kinetics of circulating hypodermin C (HyC) and specific antibodies during the course of natural infestation were determined in a group of 10 Frisian calves. In addition, oesophagi and blood samples were taken from 105 cows at a slaughterhouse in order to compare three methods for the diagnosis of H. lineatum: sandwich ELISA for the detection of the antigen HyC (sELISA), indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies anti-HyC (iELISA) and the detection of first instars (L1) in the oesophagus. In naturally infested cattle, HyC was present in circulation at low levels during the early and late phases of the infestation. However, in the middle phase, coinciding with the presence of L1 in the oesophagus, two peaks of increased HyC concentration were observed. Specific antibodies increased progressively until the first appearance of larvae in warbles on the back. There was no correlation between antigen or antibody levels and the number of grubs in the back. Prevalence of first instars in the oesophagi of slaughtered cows was 21.9% (23/105). The percentage of cattle that were positive for circulating antigen was slightly higher (24.8%), suggesting the recent destruction of migrating larvae in some animals. However, there was no correlation between the number of L1 and HyC levels. With the iELISA, 79% of the animals were positive to Hypoderma, which means that a high percentage of those animals have been exposed to the parasite but they had no apparent current infestation. The sELISA is a good tool to follow larval development within the host; however, the episodic elevation of HyC levels limits the usefulness of this test for the early diagnosis of Hypoderma under field conditions.

Fasciola hepatica findings in cattle of Jablanica region

In the period from January 2001 to December 2005, a total of 6,904 slaughtered cattle originating from the territory of the region of Jablanica were examined at the Mesokombinat AD abattoir. The Trematoda Fasciola hepatica was found in 429 cattle (6.21%). A total of 2,150 kg livers were condemned due to the presence of the liver fluke. A comparison of cattle with bovine fasciolosis according to the years yielded a very significant difference (p&lt;0.01) between the year 2003 (10.02) and the year 2002 (9.97), on the one side, in comparison with the years 2001 (5.14), 2004 (3.37), and 2005 (5.08), on the other side. A significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was also established in the year 2004 (3.37) in comparison with the years 2001 (5.14) and 2005 (5.08). After analyzing the significance of the differences between the infected cattle according to the seasons, a very significant difference (p&lt;0.01) was established between the summer (7.23) and the winter (4.74) periods. A significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was also established between the autumn (6.49) and the winter periods. The amount of precipitation was directly proportionate to the percentage of cattle infected with fasciolosis.

Mitochondrial DNA single nucleotide polymorphism associated with weight estimated breeding values in Nelore cattle (Bos indicus)

We sampled 119 Nelore cattle (Bos indicus), 69 harboring B. indicus mtDNA plus 50 carrying Bos taurus mtDNA, to estimate the frequencies of putative mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and investigate their association with Nelore weight and scrotal circumference estimated breeding values (EBVs). The PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect polymorphisms in the mitochondrial asparagine, cysteine, glycine, leucine and proline transporter RNA (tRNA) genes (tRNAasn, tRNAcys, tRNAgly, tRNAleu and tRNApro). The 50 cattle carrying B. taurus mtDNA were monomorphic for all the tRNA gene SNPs analyzed, suggesting that they are specific to mtDNA from B. indicus cattle. No tRNAcys or tRNAgly polymorphisms were detected in any of the cattle but we did detect polymorphic SNPs in the tRNAasn, tRNAleu and tRNApro genes in the cattle harboring B. indicus mtDNA, with the same allele observed in the B. taurus sequence being present in the following percentage of cattle harboring B. indicus mtDNA: 72.46% for tRNAasn, 95.23% for tRNAleu and 90.62% for tRNApro. Analyses of variance using the tRNAasn SNP as the independent variable and EBVs as the dependent variable showed that the G ® T SNP was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with maternal EBVs for weight at 120 and 210 days (p < 0.05) and animal's EBVs for weight at 210, 365 and 455 days. There was no association of the tRNAasn SNP with the scrotal circumference EBVs. These results confirm that mtDNA can affect weight and that mtDNA polymorphisms can be a source of genetic variation for quantitative traits.

Seroprevalence of neosporosis in beef and dairy cattle breeds in Northeast Hungary

In order to assess the seroprevalence of bovine neosporosis with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), blood samples were collected randomly from 1063 beef and dairy cattle belonging to 12 different breeds in Northeast Hungary. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected in 27 (2.5%) of the animals, kept on 19 of the 42 settlements included in this survey. Since samples were collected on 50 farms, herd prevalence amounted to 38%. The percentage of cattle with seroconversion increased with age, suggesting a postnatal source of infection. The highest rate of positivity was detected in Aberdeen Angus (3.3%) and Holstein-Friesian cows (3.2%), and the lowest in Limousine (0.9%), but no breed predisposition was statistically substantiated. Neosporosis was more prevalent in dairy (3.4%) than in beef (1.9%) cattle, although the difference was not significant. Only three out of the seropositive cows, all of them Holstein-Friesians, had a history of abortion.

Pregnancy diagnosis based on the fecal progesterone concentration in beef and dairy heifers and beef cows

The present study was undertaken to examine whether pregnancy diagnosis was possible by measuring fecal progesterone concentrations in beef and dairy heifers and beef cows. Rectal fecal samples collected on days 18–24 after insemination or days 11–17 after embryo transfer were mixed with methanol and shaken for preparation of a fecal solution. After centrifugation, the supernatant was extracted with petroleum ether followed by an enzyme immunoassay for progesterone. All pregnant animals showed fecal progesterone concentrations greater than 50 ng/g of fecal material on days 18–24 after AI or estrus. In non-pregnant animals, however, the fecal progesterone concentrations ranged widely from 5 to 180 ng/g of fecal material. In non-pregnant cattle, the percentage of cattle with <50 ng progesterone/g of fecal material compared with the total number was 37–60% on days 18–20, whereas the percentages increased more than 70% to a maximum of 78.1% on day 23. When 50 ng/g was considered as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of positive pregnancy tests were less than 70% on days 21–24, and 100% for negative pregnancy tests on days 18–24. There were significant differences in the mean fecal progesterone concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant cattle on days 19–24. These results suggest that feces can be utilized to substitute for plasma and milk to measure progesterone for the purpose of pregnancy diagnosis in heifers and cows.

Regional risk of exporting cattle seropositive for bluetongue virus from the United States.

To create a stochastic model to quantify the risk that shipments of cattle from regions within the United States would contain animals seropositive for bluetongue virus and to determine shipment-level accuracy of serologic testing by use of a competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). 19,216 shipments containing 528,918 cattle and calves. Data were obtained on number of animals and state of origin of cattle in export shipments originating within the United States between January 1994 and March 2002. Probability distributions for size of export shipments were determined for all states within the United States, and distributions for agar gel immunodiffusion and c-ELISA accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) were determined from expert opinion and review of the literature. The model simulated selection of a shipment and then determined the probability that a threshold number or percentage of cattle within that shipment would have a positive c-ELISA result. Shipment-level sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value, and negative-predictive value were calculated. Substantial differences were evident in the regional probability of a shipment being declared positive, with shipments from northeastern states having the lowest probability and shipments from southwestern states having the highest probability. The c-ELISA had variable predictive values at the shipment level, depending on the threshold used and the prevalence of antibody-positive cattle within the region. Results from this study will aid importers in making scientifically based decisions regarding risk of importing antibody-positive cattle.

Changes in fed cattle marketing methods: survey results (2003)

Significant changes in fed cattle marketing methods have occurred over time. This report summarizes a survey conducted to determine current and intended marketing practices of cattle feeders. Use of marketing agreements has increased over time. In 1996, 23% of cattle fed by survey respondents were sold under some type of marketing agreement. This increased to 52% in 2001 and was expected to increase to 65% by 2006. Use by cattle feeders of cash live and carcass weight pricing is expected to decline, and grid pricing is expected to increase substantially over time. The percentage of cattle that survey respondents marketed using cash markets declined from 82% in 1996 to 53% in 2001, and it is expected to be only 33% by 2006. Grid pricing increased from 16% of marketings in 1996 to 45% in 2001, and this is expected to reach 62% by 2006. Respondents indicated a strong desire to have grid base prices tied to boxed beef or retail markets, but a slightly less strong desire to have base prices negotiated.