Cattle Rise Most in Six Months as Tyson Halts Weight Aid
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Cattle futures rose the most in six months on concern that U.S. beef supplies will shrink as Tyson Foods Inc. halts purchases of animals fed with a supplement made by Merck & Co. after discovering lame livestock at factories.
“Some animal-health experts have suggested that the use of the feed supplement Zilmax, also known as zilpaterol, is one possible cause” for the animals being unable to walk, according to a letter sent by Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson to cattle suppliers. The “interim measure” is effective Sept. 6, and the “evaluation of these problems is ongoing,” according to the letter provided yesterday by Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson. Merck said the supplement is safe.