Florida and Georgia Suspect Feed in Cattle Deaths
Over the past week, producers and animal-health officials in Florida and Georgia have reported unusual acute deaths in cattle. As investigations continue, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has not definitively determine a cause, but they suspect the outbreak is associated with “Producer's Pride 20% All Natural Cattle Cube,” lot number 8DEC22MUL2, manufactured by Purina Animal Nutrition, and distributed to 40 Tractor Supply Company stores in Florida and Georgia.
Locations receiving shipments of that lot of feed include Starke, Fort Pierce, Saint Cloud, Chiefland, Lake Wales, Sebring, Okeechobee, Eustis, Haines City, Newberry, Bradenton, Palatka, Wauchula, Zephyrhills, Deland, Lake City, Orlando, Arcadia, Dunnellon, Fort Myers, Saint Augustine, Live Oak, Jacksonville, Homosassa, Macclenny, Bartow, Perry, Groveland, Gainesville, Cocoa, Osteen, North Fort Myers, Loxahatchee, Crawfordville, Palm Coast, Hudson, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Riverview, and Kingsland, GA.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and a statement from Purina Animal Nutrition, Tractor Supply Company has voluntarily removed the product in question from their shelves in all 40 stores. Purina Animal Nutrition also has initiated a voluntary market withdrawal of the affected product. Consumers may discard the product or return it to their retail purchase location for exchange or refund.
Veterinarians or producers who are aware of sudden unexplained deaths in cattle should contact the State Veterinarian's Office at 850-410-0900 (after hours for emergencies please contact 800-342-5869) or RAD@FreshFromFlorida.com.
For feed-related complaints or concerns, please contact the Bureau of Inspection and Incident Response, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, at 850-617-7996 or AESCares@FreshFromFlorida.com.
