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Reports the mad-cow scare in the United States send prices lower under intense trading on the commodities market. Number of time the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has expanded the daily limits on how far prices can drop since the discovery of a cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy; Comments from Phil Stanley, an analyst and trader, regarding the activity on the floor of the commodities exchange; Negative impact of the BSE discovery on cattle prices and beef demand, which had been soaring in 2003; Comments from Lisa Howard, spokesperson for McDonald's Corp., regarding stable demand for food products from their fast-food restaurants; Concern about the reaction from other countries relative to demand for U.S. beef.

Reports on the mixed status of the live-cattle futures prices despite reports of mad-cow disease as of March 14, 2006.

Reports that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission stepped up surveillance of Chicago cattle-futures trading in November 2004 when prices increased before a government announcement that a suspect animal was not infected with mad-cow disease.

Focuses on the testing of cattle for mad-cow disease in the United States. Why the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not allow private testing for the disease; Comments from one U.S. resident, expressing anger that only the USDA can test for the disease; View of author that the USDA's qualms about allowing private testing reflects the agency's desire to promote the cattle industry; Comments from David Luker, who owns Missouri Valley Natural Beef, regarding the USDA's policy of being the only certified tester of beef; Indications of public support for expanded options in the testing of cattle.

Provides information on the discovery of Italian scientists that cattle may harbor a new form of mad cow disease.

Focuses on cattle auctions in the United States in light of the recent discovery of a case of mad-cow disease in the U.S. Description of the scene at the Fort Pierre (S.D.) Livestock Auction, which was the first major cattle auction since the discovery of mad-cow disease in the U.S.; Comments from Dick Hanson, regarding the trepidation cattle farmers are facing in light of the mad-cow discovery; Reduction in the cattle inventory of the Fort Pierre auction, indicating several cattle farmers are cancelling; Efforts of Dennis Hanson and Johnny Smith to keep the auction open; Percentage reduction in cattle price futures.

Reports on the results of diagnostic tests conducted on several cattle in Canada for evidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad-cow disease, as of may 2003.