EYE ON DENT COUNTY

FDA warns chicken jerky dog treats associated with illness

NIXA, Mo -- If you reward your dog with treats on a regular basis, you may want to avoid a certain type coming from China. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning surrounding chicken jerky.

This is the third time the FDA has warned dog owners about chicken jerky since 2007. Each time the product came from China. One local dog kennel caught wind of the warning and is making sure its customers are keeping their dogs safe.  

"I think I was put on this earth for the dogs, I really do," said Cathie Lovell.

Cathie Lovell loves dogs.

"I never had kids. My dogs are it. There's a lot of people that way even if they have kids their dogs are it." In fact, Cathie has made a living loving dogs. She's owned A Bit of Country K9 Kennel in Nixa for 11 years.  

"A lot of these dogs come here all the time and it's the same ones. I get really attached to them. They are like my own," she said. 

When she heard about an issue surrounding certain types of dog treats, she began to worry. "Oh my gosh," she said, "these things are causing kidney damage and death."

The treats causing all the controversy--chicken jerky. "The FDA issued a warning about chicken jerky products back in September 2007 and again in December 2008. In 2009 and 2010, those cases started to drop off. Right now the FDA is once again seeing a spike in cases.

According to the FDA more than 350 reports this year of illnesses tied to imported chicken jerky products. Many of the products came from China. Some cases proved fatal.

"I had no idea they were made in China. On the back of the bag they say it's an American owned company but then you look and the stuff is actually made in China," Lovell said.

So far, the FDA hasn't been able to pinpoint exactly what is making the dogs so ill in the treats. Cathie isn't taking any chances.

"I don't want them to get sick. I don't want them to die from a goopy treat," she said. 

The FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product.

Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose).

Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

Consumers can report illnesses to the FDA's Pet Food Complaint Site.

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-fda-warns-chicken-jerky-dog-treats-associated-with-illness-20120103,0,812585.story

 

Audit questions cost of Missouri elk restoration

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri auditor’s office says the state’s elk restoration program has cost about three times more than what was initially budgeted.

Auditor Tom Schweich said Wednesday the Department of Conservation spent about $1.2 million on the program. The agency had estimated it would spend about $411,000 to introduce about 150 animals in southern Missouri.

Conservation officials say the auditor incorrectly counted expenses for habitat improvements that benefit all wildlife, road maintenance and other costs that likely would have occurred regardless of the elk project. The Conservation Department says it spent about $363,000 to trap, hold, relocate, test and monitor the elk.

The first elk were released to southern Missouri in June. There now are 36 animals released through the project, including five calves at the Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/

3500 dollars per pound

See where it cost about 31000 each to bring in elk.  Thats about $ 3500 per pd for 8oo pd elk.

Sears to close 100 to 120 Kmart, Sears stores

NEW YORK (AP) — Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores after poor sales during the holidays, the most crucial time of year for retailers.

The closings are the latest and most visible in a long series of moves to try to fix a retailer that has struggled with falling sales and shabby stores.

In an internal memo Tuesday to employees, CEO and President Lou D'Ambrosio said that the retailer had not "generated the results we were seeking during the holiday."

Sears Holdings Corp. said it has yet to determine which stores will close but said it will post on http://www.searsmedia.com when a final list is compiled. Sears would not discuss how many, if any, jobs would be cut.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sears-close-100-120-kmart-sears-stores-113133071.html

CURRENT CATTLE PRICES

JC_LS759
Jefferson City, MO    Tue Dec 20, 2011    MO Dept of Ag/USDA Market News
 
Cuba- Interstate Regional Stockyards
Feeder Cattle Weighted Average Report for 12/20/2011
 
Receipts:  785    Last Week:  2105    Year Ago:  1342
 
   Compared to last Tuesday, feeder steers under 500 lbs 3.00-10.00 lower, over
500 lbs steady. Feeder heifers steady to 2.00 lower. Slaughter cows 1.00-2.00 
higher. Supply light. Near 10 percent cows and 20 percent of the feeders were 
over 600 lbs. Feeder supply approximately 62 percent steers and bulls and 38
percent heifers.  

********************Final sale of 2011. Next auction 1/3/2012******************

                Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    6    350-375     365    157.00-160.00     157.51

   24    453-495     482    152.00-159.75     154.48

    5    522-545     531    154.25-155.00     154.56
   25    557-588     568    140.00-147.50     144.31
    7      586       586       139.00         139.00   Fleshy

    3      630       630       142.00         142.00

   10    711-717     713    142.25-142.75     142.40

                Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1-2
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    3      307       307       154.00         154.00
    8    360-380     373    150.00-161.00     153.03
   14    410-433     422    152.50-156.50     152.96
    6      492       492       152.50         152.50
    7    508-538     527    141.00-147.00     143.30
    4      630       630    134.50-137.00     136.38
    4    700-710     705    132.75-139.00     135.90

                      Feeder Steers Large 1
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    4      715       715       140.00         140.00

                    Feeder Steers Medium 1-2
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    8    402-435     422    142.00-150.00     144.42
    4      455       455       131.50         131.50
    5    550-590     574    125.00-126.00     125.38

                Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    5    300-345     309    136.00-144.00     142.21
    4    350-378     364    138.00-140.00     138.96

   12    457-458     457    133.00-141.00     139.00

   37    502-519     508    134.50-136.00     135.62
   16    560-598     584    129.00-135.00     131.16

    7    612-620     615    128.00-130.00     128.86

               Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1-2
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    3      318       318       135.00         135.00
   11    367-398     390    130.00-133.00     132.23
   17    400-448     430    132.00-138.50     136.59
   11    465-495     475    130.00-133.00     131.11
    4    500-547     535    132.00-132.50     132.38
    4    562-590     569    125.50-127.00     125.89
    6      710       710       118.00         118.00

                Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 2
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    5      434       434       125.00         125.00

                Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1-2
 Head   Wt Range   Avg Wt    Price Range   Avg Price
    7    475-482     481    140.00-149.00     147.73
   20    508-549     523    115.50-147.50     132.43
   16    559-595     572    115.00-130.50     126.50
   13    600-642     634    112.00-125.00     120.68
    7    660-674     668    117.00-118.00     117.58
    7      711       711       123.50         123.50
    5      894       894       100.00         100.00
    7    970-985     983     87.00-108.00      89.96

Source:  MO Dept of Ag/USDA Market News Service, 
         Duane Robertson, Market Reporter, 573-751-5618
         24 Hour Market Report 1-573-522-9244
         www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/JC_LS759.txt
0758c sw

GOOD TRY ALDERMAN NASH

Alderman Terry Beckham from Steelvillle reported at there Nov 7th meeting in Steelville that audit reports from the cities fo Rolla and Salem stated that the IRS requires that the benefit of vehicle use after hours must be reported as income for employees. Alderman Nash failed to get a second in Salem,on this issue so nothing changes, will this now cause more paperwork for the city.

TIMBER PRICES

Missouri Timber Price Trends  April - June, 2011 Statewide Stumpage Prices   High Low Avg. Last Qtr. Last Yr. Volume # of Rpts. (All prices shown as $ per MBF, International Scale) Veneer White oak (group) $835 $835 $835 - - - Int. - MBF 1 Sawlogs Hickory $185 $185 $185 $70 $65 4 Int. - MBF 1 Mixed Hardwoods $280 $85 $135 $25 $35 455 Int. - MBF 5 Oak (mixed species) $65 $65 $65 $145 $90 43 Int. - MBF 1 Post Oak $185 $185 $185 $120 $165 1 Int. - MBF 1 Red oak (group) $185 $165 $185 $135 $160 611 Int. - MBF 2 Shortleaf Pine $185 $185 $185 $45 $160 3 Int. - MBF 1 Soft Maple $250 $250 $250 - $215 7 Int. - MBF 1 White oak (group) $185 $185 $185 $145 $150 28 Int. - MBF 1 Stave Logs White oak (group) $250 $250 $250 $90 - 28 Int. - MBF 1   [Back to Timber News Index ]

 

Smith unsure what he will do under new redistricting plan

A state representative and senator redistricting plan unveiled last week will mean major changes for area voters next year. Residents in both Crawford and Phelps counties can expect to see some new names on their ballots in August and November.

“I never saw it coming,” current 150th District State Representative Jason Smith said. “I have to decide what district I want to run in, and to be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t imagine not representing any part of my district.”
 The rest of the story here  

Coconut Cashew Brittle Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespons plus 1 cup butter, divided
• 2 cups cashew halves
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon water, divided
• 2 teaspoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions

• Butter two 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. pan each with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside.
• Combine cashews and coconut on a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Add remaining butter; cook and stir until butter is melted. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
• Meanwhile, combine the vanilla, baking soda and remaining water. Remove saucepan from the heat; add cashews and coconut. Add baking soda mixture; stir until light and foamy. Quickly pour onto prepared baking sheets. Spread with a buttered metal spatula to 1/4-in. thickness. Cool before breaking into pieces. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 3 pounds.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

 Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 ounces) equals 290 calories, 17 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 277 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.