Morning Ag Clips logo
  • Subscribe ❯
  • PORTAL ❯
  • LOGIN ❯
  • By Keyword
  • By topic
  • By state
  • Home
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Store
  • Advertise
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Subscribe to our
    daily email
    ❯
  • Portal Registration❯
  • Login❯
  • policy
  • tractors & machinery
  • education
  • conservation
  • webinars
  • business
  • dairy
  • cattle
  • poultry
  • swine
  • corn
  • soybeans
  • organic
  • specialty crops
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Morning Ag Clips

  • By Keyword
  • By topic
  • By state
  • policy
  • tractors & machinery
  • education
  • conservation
  • webinars
  • business
  • dairy
  • cattle
  • poultry
  • swine
  • corn
  • soybeans
  • organic
  • specialty crops
  • Home
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Store
  • Advertise
Home » FDA issues advisory warning for recalled alfalfa following equine deaths linked to feed
forage and grazing horses livestock health safety
WARNING ...

FDA issues advisory warning for recalled alfalfa following equine deaths linked to feed

Affected alfalfa cubes were made by Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, Colo

PUBLISHED ON December 21, 2022

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) are cautioning horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622. Consumers who have products marked with those date codes or who are unsure of the date code should throw them away in a secure container and follow the handling and cleaning instructions below. Horse owners should immediately consult their veterinarian if horses ate the recalled product and show signs of neurologic illness, such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse. (file photo)

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) are cautioning horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622. Consumers who have products marked with those date codes or who are unsure of the date code should throw them away in a secure container and follow the handling and cleaning instructions below. Horse owners should immediately consult their veterinarian if horses ate the recalled product and show signs of neurologic illness, such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse.

The affected alfalfa cubes were made by Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, Colorado, and FDA has confirmed the firm distributes products to feed stores and co-ops in 10 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Further distribution may be possible, so it’s important consumers check the date code if they have Top of the Rockies products.

FDA is aware of at least 98 horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas who showed neurologic symptoms and is working with state authorities to learn more. At least 45 of these horses have died or were euthanized due to declining health. At this time, it appears that Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes was the only common food source among all of the cases.

The equines affected showed symptoms consistent with botulism. While botulism in horses is not a reportable disease in Colorado, veterinarians must report all cases of equine neurologic disease to the State Veterinarian’s Office.

FDA is conducting further testing to pinpoint the cause of the horse illnesses, but horse owners and handlers should take immediate precautions to protect human and animal health. Consumers with Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes should immediately inspect the product to check the date codes and discard any affected feed.

More information can be found in the FDA announcement, including directions on what to do if you suspect you have this recalled product, recognizing the symptoms that have been reported, and how to report a horse illness.

This is an ongoing investigation, and FDA is working with state departments of agriculture in Colorado and other states as well as testing feed and tissue samples.

FDA recommends that consumers who have affected feed should:

  • Avoid handling the cubes directly and wear disposable gloves and a face mask while throwing the cubes away and cleaning any bins or containers where they were kept.
  • Wearing gloves and a face mask (preferably an N95 respirator), clean out all the empty bins or containers where the alfalfa cubes were kept.
  • Make a bleach solution by combining ÂĽ cup household bleach to every 2 cups of water.
  • Completely cover the container with the bleach solution, place a layer of paper towels on top of the bleach, and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
  • Wipe up any remaining liquid with new paper towels and let the containers air dry.
  • Clean the area with liquid soap and water to remove the bleach and discard any items that may have come into contact with the contaminated food or containers.
  • Dispose of the face mask and gloves in a secure trash receptacle and wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes.

The risk of humans becoming sick from equine feed is low. Humans should not consume the product and follow proper disposal procedures outlined above to protect their health.

More information can be found at the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-cautions-horse-owners-not-feed-recalled-lots-top-rockies-alfalfa-cubes-due-reports-illness-and

–Olga Robak, Colorado Department of Agriculture

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Alfalfa cube warning and recall
December 20, 2022

CLARK, Mo. — Over this weekend the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued a warning about some recalled lots of alfalfa cubes manufactured by Manzanola Feeds out of Manzanola, Colorado. The feeding of these cubes has caused reported illness and/or death in horses in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. And distribution of these cubes […]

Hoosier Homestead
Record year for Hoosier Homestead award farms
August 21, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS — Recognized for their families’ longstanding commitment to agriculture, 106 Indiana family farms were presented the Hoosier Homestead Award Aug. 17 at the Indiana State Fair from Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler. “Recognizing and engaging Indiana’s historic farming families with Hoosier Homestead awards at the Indiana State […]

Farming families earn Hoosier Homestead Award
April 05, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS — At the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Bruce Kettler presented 69 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture. “I always look forward to engaging with Indiana’s historic farming families during the Hoosier Homestead Award ceremonies,” Crouch said. “The […]

73 IN farms receive historic homestead award
August 25, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — On Aug. 18, at the Indiana State Fair, Lt. Gov Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler presented 73 family farms with a Hoosier Homestead Award, recognizing their family’s longstanding commitment to Indiana agriculture. To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more […]

Longstanding Hoosier farm families honored
March 09, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler presented 51 Hoosier Homestead Awards to families on March 5 at the Indiana State Museum in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture. To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, […]

Spread the word

Browse More Clips

CSU Cowpea Production Webinar

Being prepared during cold, winter weather will help your livestock winter a little easier. (Courtesy of MSU Extension)

Resources to protect animals during upcoming cold weather

Primary Sidebar

MORE

ARKANSAS CLIPS

The farm bill jump ball is in flight
January 31, 2023
Building trust and demand for dairy in 2023
January 31, 2023
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Morrison is new USPOULTRY chairman
January 30, 2023
USDA appoints members to Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board
January 30, 2023
Farm Foundation's 2023 Agricultural Scholars
January 25, 2023
  • Trending
  • Latest

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

the Symposium
Make plans to attend the 2023 Symposium
February 1, 2023
Check in with yourself & check on those around you
January 31, 2023
FBN, Boveta Nutrition launch new feeding system for beef cattle
January 31, 2023
The walk, co-hosted by River Country RC&D and Wisconsin Farmers Union, will highlight the Peasleys’ pasture layout and land conservation projects to move cattle to grazing acres. (Courtesy of Wisconsin Farmers Union)
31st Annual GrassWorks Grazing Conference
January 31, 2023
Hoosier Hay Contest
Indiana forage enthusiasts to gather
January 31, 2023

Footer

MORNING AG CLIPS

  • Contact Us
  • Sponsors
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service

CONNECT WITH US

  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

TRACK YOUR TRADE

  • Markets & Economy
  • Cattle Updates
  • Dairy News
  • Policy & Politics
  • Corn Alerts

QUICK LINKS

  • Account
  • Portal Membership
  • Just Me, Kate
  • Farmhouse Communication

Get the MAC App Today!

Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store

© 2023 Morning Ag Clips, LLC. All Rights Reserved.