We've got a drug for that!

The New York Times reports that two vaccines have been developed to immunize cattle against E.coli. One has been approved for use in Canada, and one is currently being tested in the US. The industry estimates the cost of vaccination to be about $10 per cow, significantly cutting into their profit margins. It seems to me that the cost of all the various pharmaceuticals we give to these animals must at some point offset the savings of raising animals on the CAFO’s that make them so ill. It’s hard to imagine what the tipping point will ultimately be.

NYT’s Mark Bittman and WaPo’s Ezra Klein discuss various aspects of food policy and “voting with your mouth”at the always entertaining bloggingheads site. If you haven’t read Bittman’s book, I highly recommend it. His writing is always accessible, and Food Matters combines elements of big-picture thinking with practical, individual solutions and (fittingly for a cookbook author) recipes.

Sweetwilliam Farm (see sidebar) is taking orders for their 2010 CSA. Stop by this weekend for more info and pick up some fresh eggs and produce. The store is open 10-5 this weekend, and if you bring a gift for Toys for Tots, you will receive a discount! Have a great weekend!