PMU Ranch Numbers Reduced

Because of a reduction in the number of prescriptions being written for hormone replacement therapy in women, and because of recent federal approval of a lower-dose hormone replacement medication, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals met with ranchers who supply the raw product (pregnant mare urine, or PMU) on Oct. 10 and announced that the number of ranches under contract for 2004 would be reduced from 409

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Because of a reduction in the number of prescriptions being written for hormone replacement therapy in women, and because of recent federal approval of a lower-dose hormone replacement medication, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals met with ranchers who supply the raw product (pregnant mare urine, or PMU) on Oct. 10 and announced that the number of ranches under contract for 2004 would be reduced from 409 to 264. Of the 145 ranches that will no longer be collecting urine, 43 voluntarily took a “buyout” program, and 102 were non-voluntary participants, said Norm Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council (NAERIC).

The Wyeth program will pay ranchers 100% of 2004’s contract, plus another 50% to ensure proper care and maintenance of horses (paid only if ranchers keep up veterinary and company inspections), said Luba. The ranchers received an additional 17% payment as a retirement contribution. Wyeth also has established a $3.7 million fund to help ranchers ship horses which will no longer be used in the PMU industry to legitimate, non-slaughter sales outside the Prairie provinces of Canada. NAERIC will check into sales and make sure they are legitimate, and that the horses are not being sent to a known “slaughter sale.” Horses will be shipped in groups of about 20-25 once legitimate sales or individuals are identified.

An estimated 10,000-18,000 horses could come on the market in the next year because of the reduction in ranches under contract to Wyeth, said Luba. “The suggestion, however, that just because the contracts are cut back there will be a commensurate cutback in the number of horses is unfounded,” said Luba. “These are agricultural people who have bred horses for generations and will continue to be in the horse, cattle, and cereal grains businesses. One rancher said his sport horses were selling so well that he would continue in his cross-breeding program even without the Wyeth contracts.”

This news didn’t come as a big surprise to the ranchers, as the FDA approved the low-dose hormone replacement therapy in June

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Written by:

Kimberly S. Brown is the editor of EquiManagement/EquiManagement.com and the group publisher of the Equine Health Network at Equine Network LLC.

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