Staff Articles
Cattle temperament, immunity and performance
Flighty cattle are difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle, and according to a report from USDA and university researchers, they could be better at concealing disease. According to a recent article in Agricultural Research magazine, from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reducing adverse consequences of stressful incidents and identifying animals that may react differently to stressors may benefit cattle’s growth and health.
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NAHMS report profiles small feedlot practices
A significant percentage of operators of small feedlots are not familiar with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, according to the new feedlot report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). The numbers suggest opportunities for further education, particularly as cattle feeders who are familiar with the BQA program appear to place more importance on BQA practices than those unfamiliar with the program.
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Parasite control on DocTalk
On this week’s DocTalk program, Kansas State University veterinarian Dan Thompson discusses parasite control with Dr. Dave Rethorst, also a K-State veterinarian who serves as director of outreach for the Beef Cattle Institute.
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NAHMS feedlot reports indicate informational opportunities
Cattle feeders strongly believe in the effectiveness of pre-arrival management practices such as weaning vaccines, parasite control and weaning four weeks prior to shipment, but they often do not have access to management history on cattle they feed. That’s one example of opportunities for improvements in information sharing and education revealed in a new feedlot report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) a division of APHIS Veterinary Services.
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Kansas House committee approves additional NBAF funds
After some initial delays, the Kansas House Appropriations Committee last Friday approved Governor Sam Brownback’s request for an additional $202 million in bonds for development of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.
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Tyson expanding FarmCheck program to beef
Tyson foods is in the process of developing an audit system for its beef suppliers this year, with a plan to launch the beef version of its “FarmCheck” program in 2014. The program will involve audits of beef operations along the supply chain, focusing largely on animal welfare.
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CAST honors Elanco’s Jeff Simmons with Borlaug award
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) announces that the prestigious 2013 Borlaug CAST Communication Award goes to Jeff Simmons, the President of Elanco. Simmons was nominated by colleagues from several industry and nonprofit organizations based on his passion for finding solutions for world hunger. Simmons is praised for his understanding of scientific data, his enthusiasm for agricultural innovations, and his support for the organizations and companies working on food security in a hungry world.
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AHI comments on proposed antimicrobial policies
This week, the FDA held the third of five public meetings on proposed rules for veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use in food animals. The meeting included background presentations on the proposed rules, followed by a public comment period. The Animal Health Institute, representing manufacturers of animal-health products, issued the following statement:
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A frank discussion in Fort Collins
Proposed new rules for veterinary oversight of antimicrobials in animal agriculture attracted a mix of comments and questions as representatives of the FDA and USDA/APHIS held a public meeting on the subject in Fort Collins, Colo.
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Rename FMD?
Words, as we know, have the power to foster understanding and also the power to confuse or mislead. In the realm of disease, that confusion was evident during the 2010 pandemic of H1N1 influenza, when use of the term “swine flu” damaged pork demand as consumers feared they could contract the disease from pork.
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- 100K Pathogen Genome Project maps first genomes
- USDA approves newly formulated PULMO-GUARD vaccine for cattle
- UK first in EU to get Merck's new Schmallenberg vaccine
- K-State launches MAB program for animal health professionals
- Zoetis, Texas Tech partner in Salmonella research
- K-State animal sciences faculty member honored
