A South Korean butcher examines beef imported from the United States at his shop in Seoul. (AP)
From Cow to Beef Story aired: Friday, January 02, 2004
The fallout from this country's single known case of mad cow disease continues. Washington state officials are trying to track down the offspring of that state's now-famous dairy cow, but according to the New York Times, the lack of a specific tracking mechanism makes that difficult. Federal investigators are also reporting having difficulty determining what happened to the animals that were in the original mad cow shipment from Canada over two years ago.
Journalist Michael Pollan has followed a cow all the way through the production system. Several years ago, he bought himself a calf and documented its journey all the way from a ranch in South Dakota, through a big industrial feedlot, to the freezer. In the process, he learned a thing or two about how American beef is produced.
Michael Pollan writes regularly about food issues for the New York Times Magazine and he is the author of the book "The Botany of Desire."
Guests:
Michael Pollan writes regularly about food issues for the New York Times Magazine he and is the author of the book "The Botany of Desire."
Doctor Gary Weber, executive director of regulatory affairs and an animal scientist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association
