Medical technology

There’s a Lot of Info in That Little TSU

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:06:26 GMT

“The sky’s the limit if you have that sample,” says Jim Butcher, a Simmental seedstock producer from Lewistown, Mont.

He’s talking about all the things you can learn about the genetic potential of your cattle that is contained in a tissue sampling unit (TSU). The genomic information you get from each sample can, collectively and individually, help you more quickly move your herd’s genetic progress forward in an intentional, science-assisted direction.

There’s lots of info in that little vial.

(Allflex)

For commercial cow-calf producers, submitting the DNA sample in a TSU will return a scoresheet on each animal ‘s genetic merit for different indexes and specific traits, says Leoma Donsbach, owner and founder of Data Genie, LLC.

She calls herself a data accountant, helping customers attach the data on their operation to their record-keeping system. She says almost all her customers use TSUs to collect DNA and obtain genomic data.

Genomics are becoming more and more popular with commercial beef producers, she says.

“For replacement females, the ability to have a snapshot of that female’s genetic potential leads to increased confidence in keeping that heifer. You can say, ‘This heifer is more likely to be here until age six or seven by looking at her stayability metrics.’”

Say, for example, you’ve done your visual appraisal and picked 50 heifers as potential replacements, but you only need to keep 40. Visually, those heifers are very similar. But genetically, they could be very different, depending on what genes they received from their parents.

That’s where the TSUs and the genomic data they provide come in. First, test all 50 replacement candidates.

“Then breed them and find out which ones are bred,” she says. Even if everything went right, that still leaves some extras. “You can go back and use the genomic data to select the traits you want and/or use a maternal or terminal index to make those final decisions. You use it like comparing genomically enhanced EPDs when buying bulls.”

Beyond replacement selection, you can extrapolate the DNA data on your heifers when marketing your steers, she says. “On average, your steers will have similar genetics to your heifers. That information may add to their sale price.”

Then There Are The Bulls

Just like heifers, bulls can be full siblings and still be remarkably different in their genetic makeup.

“We’re great phenotype collectors of birth weights, weaning weights, all that,” Butcher says. “But you really don’t know what you have until you know what genes that particular animal picked up.”

When seedstock producers send in a TSU, they get back genomically enhanced EPDs. That, Butcher says, allows him to supply more accurate information about young bulls for his customers and help them make the best bull-buying decisions they can within their budget.

Indeed, not every bull is suited for every ranch. Studying the genomically enhanced EPDs gives you greater confidence in the true genetic potential of young bulls.

“You lessen the probabilities that you’re buying an animal that won’t help you move your program forward,” Butcher says.

Your Next Read: Building the Next Generation Cow Herd Using Genomic Testing

Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions Unveils Innovative Pharmacy Expansion

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:37:09 GMT

Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions (VPS), a livestock pharmacy compounding, announces two extraordinary milestones in the company’s history: The completion of a pharmacy expansion in St. Peter, Minn., and the company’s 30th anniversary.

The pharmacy expansion nearly doubles the size of the existing facility and is designed to be the highest quality compounding pharmacy in the industry. It features multiple state-of-the-art compounding suites to advance current solutions and develop new products, space to expand R&D, a microbiology lab and warehouse space.

All of these features enable VPS to elevate its operations and more quickly create innovative solutions for veterinarian and producer customers.

“As we celebrate 30 years of innovation, this expansion is really about listening to the needs of our customers and providing solutions,” said Dean Warras, CEO of the company.

“Every part of the addition—from the new compounding suites to the R&D and microbiology labs—is designed to help us deliver even greater quality, innovation and solutions to meet the evolving needs of the livestock and poultry industries,” Warras adds.

With this expansion, VPS continues to grow its capability in animal drug compounding, a critical service that allows for the customization of medications to address distinct animal health requirements. The expansions, with FDA oversight, adhere to further national standards and align with state Boards of Pharmacy in their respective areas of operation.

“This expansion gives us space to install new equipment and allows for the complete segregation of customized medicines where needed,” said Stacy Peters, chief commercial officer.

“We can research non-traditional approaches to developing new and effective compounded solutions for challenges our veterinarians and producer customers are seeing on-farm.”

VPS broke ground on the pharmacy expansion on August 1, 2024, and received occupancy approval from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy for the new space on April 1, 2025.

National Mastitis Council Plans Regional Meeting, Registration Now Open

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:19:10 GMT

The Global Milk Quality Organization invites you to attend the 2025 National Mastitis Council (NMC) Regional Meeting, set for July 22-24, in Rochester, N.Y., at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.

With a theme of “Clearing Hurdles to Improve Milk Quality,” this event will bring together dairy producers, veterinarians, researchers and industry professionals for a collaborative exchange of knowledge and innovative practices to tackle key challenges in milk quality and udder health.

Find details about the NMC Regional Meeting at: https://www.nmconline.org/2025-regional-meeting-agenda . To register for this event, go to: https://bit.ly/NMC2025Regional .

As the dairy industry continues to evolve, so do the obstacles that hinder optimal milk quality and production, and animal welfare. The NMC Regional Meeting will feature expert-led sessions on emerging mastitis pathogens, on-farm milk quality strategies, antimicrobial stewardship and technologies for monitoring herd health.

“Our goal is to help dairy professionals identify and overcome the barriers that hinder milk quality,” said Rick Watters, an NMC board member and regional meeting co-chair. “By bringing together some of the brightest minds and most practical tools in the field, we aim to drive significant progress for enhancing udder health.”

The 2025 NMC Regional Meeting includes short courses, general sessions, panel discussions, dairy farm tours and networking opportunities designed to foster practical learning and actionable solutions.

Short Course topics and presenters* to include:
Troubleshooting Bacteria Counts in Conventional Milking Systems: Paul Virkler, Quality Milk Production Services, and Rick Watters, AgroChem

Milking System Design & Analysis: Roger Thomson, MQ-IQ Consulting and Michigan State University

Mastitis Microbes I: Let’s Figure Out the Bugs Behind the Battle: Quinn Kolar and Michael Zurakowski, Cornell University

The Milking Routine: Lisa Ford, Cayuga Marketing, Kaitlyn Lutz, Cornell University, and Francisco Mendoza Gomez, Newmont Farms (taught in Spanish)

Troubleshooting Bacteria Counts in Automated Milking Systems: Kira Andersen, Lely, and Guy Séguin, Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Milking System Vacuum and Airflow Testing: Roger Thomson, MQ-IQ Consulting and Michigan State University (hands-on training using the “Teaching Parlor”)

Judicious Use of Antimicrobials: Matt Chuff and Tracy Potter, Perry Veterinary Clinic

The ABCs of Milking Machines: Operation, Cleaning and Inspection: Carolina Pinzon, University of Wisconsin, and Dario Roma, DCR Consulting (taught in Spanish)

Identification of Mastitis-causing Organisms Using On-farm Methods: Quinn Kolar and Michael Zurakowski, Cornell University

Wash System Analysis: Roger Thomson, MQ-IQ Consulting and Michigan State University, and Rick Watters, AgroChem

General Session topics and presenters* to include:
Bedding Management: How to Interpret Bedding Bacterial Counts – Felipe Peña Mosca, Cornell University

Beyond Cell Count: Non-traditional Measures of Milk Quality – Nicole Martin, Cornell University

Milk Quality Standards: Beyond SCC and SPC – Kaitlyn Briggs, fairlife

Capitalizing on Sensor Technology – Julio Giordano, Cornell University

Using Artificial Intelligence to Interpret Data Silos – Elsa Vasseur, McGill University

How to Use Camera Technology Without Infringing on Employees’ Privacy Rights

Panel Discussion: How Dairy Farms are Using Artificial Intelligence and Camera Technology

*Topics and presenters subject to change.

Plus, tour some of New York’s finest dairy farms on July 24. The tour features Reyncrest Farms, Corfu, N.Y.; Bonna Terra Farms, Bloomfield, N.Y.; and Rudgers Registered Jerseys, Attica, N.Y.

Additionally, you won’t want to miss NMC’s Taste of New York – set for the evening of July 22. Taste some of the Empire State’s finest cheeses, wines and beers. And, participate in NMC’s first-ever chocolate milk tasting contest.

To make your hotel reservation at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, go to: https://bit.ly/NMCregionalmeetingHotel . Book your hotel room by June 30 in the NMC room block to take advantage of the discounted rate of $129 per night (not including taxes and fees).

Your next read: Can Oxytocin Boost Colostrum?

Gene Editing: Livestock Genetic Improvement Through DNA Editing

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:18:10 GMT

Traditional cattle breeding has always involved modifying the genetics of animals, but the term “genetic modification” is often associated with more modern biotechnologies like genetic engineering and gene editing.

“Often when people hear the expression ‘genetic modification’ what comes to mind is the whole GMO debate and scary memes on the Internet, or that if you eat GMOs something bad will happen to you,” says Alison Van Eenennaam, UC Davis animal biotechnology and genomics extension specialist. “That narrative has been very hard to correct.”

Van Eenennaam was a featured speaker during Kansas State University’s Cattlemen’s Day on March 7. Genetic engineering, which has been around for about 30 years, involves introducing transgenic constructs from other organisms, such as Bt corn. However, this technology has seen limited use in animal production due to consumer pushback against GMOs and the difficulty of introducing new traits into animals, Van Eenennaam says.

A newer technology called genome editing or gene editing has emerged in the last decade.

“Gene editing is basically just conventional breeding, but done more intelligently,” she summarizes. “This allows for the targeted manipulation of an animal’s DNA without introducing foreign genetic material. For example, researchers have developed a ‘PRRS-resistant’ pig by knocking out a gene that the virus uses to infect the animal. Gene editing can also be used to introduce beneficial alleles from one breed into the elite germplasm of another, without diluting the desired genetics.”

In cattle, gene editing has been used to create knockouts for traits like disease resistance and heat tolerance, as well as knock-ins to introduce desirable alleles like the polled trait.

“In 2009, we were able to define the entire sequence of the cattle genome, which gave us a look at the genetic variation that exists between cattle breeds,” Van Eenennaam says. “In the case of cattle, that’s about 3 billion base pairs of DNA that make up the cattle genome.”

She explained there are two ways to gene edit cattle — cloning and microinjection into zygotes. “The key difference is that cloning starts with an edited cell line, while microinjection edits the zygote directly,” she says. “Ultimately, the goal is to produce a homozygous, non-mosaic animal where both alleles carry the desired edit, ensuring the trait is passed on to offspring.”

Van Eenennaam explains a few of the cattle-focused gene editing projects have centered around traits like polled, disease resistance, heat tolerance and muscle development.

In the swine industry, she says gene editing is being used to improve a pig’s resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRSV), a devastating disease that costs the swine industry about $1.2 billion per year in the U.S.

A gene editing project that could have a big impact the beef industry is surrogate sires or “artificial insemination on legs.” The process produces bulls that are generating semen from a different cell line. For example, a tropically adapted bull working in an environment where he is well suited, but his semen could be genetically, an Angus sire.

“You can basically do AI on legs, because you could naturally service with elite germplasm,” she says. “There’s a lot of different applications that have some potential to really benefit the beef industry.”

Gene editing technology still faces regulatory hurdles in the U.S., as well as the need to overcome perceptions among countries that buy U.S. beef.

Van Eenennaam says the main risks with gene editing are more reputational than safety-related, as activist groups may try to lump gene editing with GMOs. She encourages more discussion highlighting how gene editing can address issues like animal welfare and disease resistance in ways that align with consumer values.

Excited about the potential of gene editing to improve livestock production in a targeted and precise manner, she summarizes that regulatory approaches will be crucial in determining which applications reach the market and who can bring them forward.

You can watch her K-State Cattlemen’s Day presentation here: https://youtu.be/d7N7a6mYwDk

Your Next Read: Modern and Precise: Using Gene Editing to Change the Blueprint of an Organism

GenoSource Has Grown Into One of the Most State-of-the-Art Dairies You'll Find in the U.S.

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:34:33 GMT

The Milk Business Leader in Technology Award is given to a farm that focuses on the implementation of technology to improve dairy operations in terms of ROI, labor, time management, etc. GenoSource was named the 2024 Milk Business Leader in Technology Award Winner during the 2024 MILK Business Conference in December.
_______________________________________________________________

At first glance, these two might just look like typical business partners, but peel back the layers, and it’s clear Tim Rauen and Kyle Demmer are more than just that.

“We’re coworkers, we’re partners and we’re best friends,” says Kyle Demmer, COO of GenoSource. “Pretty much everything we do, we kind of bounce ideas off each other and just feed off each other.”

Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource, and Kyle Demmer, COO of GenoSource, give a tour of their facilities where they milk 4,000 cows milk in a 90-stall rotary parlor. Their cows are milked 3x/day and average 90 lbs/day with a 4.5% Butterfat and a 3.5% Protein.

(Mike Byers )

It’s a partnership in every sense, but the dairy is also anything but typical.

GenoSource all started with a dream a decade ago; a dream to have a company created by dairy producers for dairy producers. The vision seemed simple but was complex in reality. The dairy farmers wanted to create a modern cow but one that excelled in a freestall environment, had fewer health issues and could convert feed at an efficient rate.

“And now we’re 10 years into this partnership and GenoSource, and I don’t think anyone would change a thing about it,” says Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource.

The partnership now involves 8 families, whom all have a love for Holsteins and share a goal of creating a more sustainable future for the next generation.

(GenoSource)

An Early Believer in Genomics
A decade into the partnership, GenoSource has grown into more than these families ever imagined. The partnership now involves eight families, who all love Holsteins and share a goal of creating a more sustainable future for the next generation.

“Being an early believer in genomics, I followed technology, graduated college in 2008, and I told myself we got to follow technology; we’ve got to lead technology for the industry, and we drove right into it,” Rauen says. “We had a lot of naysayers that said, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to work. You shouldn’t go this direction,’ but we did. We put our foot on the gas, and we put the hammer down with it.”

To achieve the highest possible results, GenoSource prides their operation on the integrity of their day-to-day work, their capability to fill the next industry-leading demand and the philosophy of breeding a more profitable cow by investing in some of the world’s greatest genetics. GenoSource believes that genetic advancement is what will help develop the ideal cow for the future.

(Russ Hnatusko )

By homing in on the genetics early on with genomic testing, it’s their ability to grasp onto a plethora of technologies that’s taken this dairy to the next level.

“From a genetics standpoint, we took the herd that we bought, we put embryos into them and ran an extensive embryo program from day one to roll the herd over to the kind of cows we believed in milking,” Rauen says. “We were milking 2,200 cows at the time, and when we came in to it, we were milking about 70 lb. per cow with a 3.4% butterfat and a 2.8% protein. So since then, we’re at 95 lb. per cow. We’re at a 4.6% fat in a 3.5% protein.”

A Growth Mindset
GenoSource expects to be milking 4,800 cows by next summer, as GenoSource excels at improving genetics, cow comfort, nutrition and management, all through technology.

“On the genetics side of things, I look at genomic testing, I look at IVF work,” Rauen says. “Then, I go into cow comfort. We utilize the tunnel ventilation side of things. I go into the parlor. There’s many tools inside the parlor that the technology has advanced over the years. And then on the management side, there’s many things from the database side of things and monitoring tools that are cow monitoring collars. There’s multiple levels of that. So, all four of those have many, many layers of technology, and I don’t think you can ignore any of those. And you just got to look at all of them and see how you can improve the herd.”

Barns Packed With Technology
Their barns are also packed with technology. The dairy installed tunnel ventilation and smart control in 2021, as the dairy was forced to rebuild after the devastating derecho tore through their farm in august of 2020.

“Prior to the derecho, we were looking at putting tunnel ventilation in,” Rauen says. “We were looking at adding another barn to the facility as we want to grow and melt more cows. And it was that time where when we had to do that remodel, it pretty much forced our hand and said, ‘Hey, let’s go get tunnel ventilation done to our barns.’”

The team decided to expand the barns to add additional rows, which Rauen says was a big change. And while it was frightening financially to make that decision, he’s glad they did.

New construction across GenoSource are signs of more progress underway today, with GenoSource in the middle of putting in a new methane digester, a new maternity barn and a dry cow calving facility.

(Mike Byers )

New Construction: Signs of More Progress Underway
Today, new construction at their dairy is a sign of more progress underway, with GenoSource in the middle of building a methane digester, as well as a new maternity barn.

“We’re also building a new dry cow calving facility. We feel it’s so important when these cows come out day one that everything’s done properly from the cleanliness to colostrum. And also taking care of that cow, so she’s ready to make milk for a full lactation,” Rauen says. “The barn is going to be fully ventilated and have a sprinkler system. There’s a lot of new ideas we’re putting into those facilities, because we’re always looking for ways to increase the cow comfort side of things.

With technology at their fingertips, GenoSource is constantly monitoring their operations.

(Russ Hnatusko )

Work Smarter, Not Harder
The progress hasn’t always been easy, but just look around GenoSource’s state-of-the-art facility, and you can see those investments are paying off.

“Sometimes you need to work smarter, not harder,” Demmer says. “We have the smart sort gate, we have the collars; it makes a lot of people’s jobs a lot easier, and you can be way better at your job.”

With tech like Farmfit, which helps them constantly monitor their animals, it’s that technology that helps the dairy produce a better a better environment for the cows, and it also helps them retain employees.

“Three years ago, we used to lock every all the cows up and give repro shots, vaccines, breed everything out here in the barns,” Demmer says. “Now, we never lock the cows up. We put them in the sort gate and let the cows come to us. As far as injuries and employee safety, it’s all huge. You don’t have to worry about chasing the cows around. I think there’s a huge cost savings, too, and it’s way safer for the cows and the people.”

Cow Comfort is Key
GenoSource has created an environment where these cows are content, which might be the biggest sign of success any dairy can have.

“Some things that excite me the most are the cows are happy,” Rauen says. “So, when you have happy cows, they help pay the bills, and you can come out here 365 days a year, and cows are out here making milk. I always have the motto, ‘you take care of the cows, they’ll take care of you.’”

A dairy that knows no limits, it’s embracing technology that’s allowing GenoSource create new opportunities on their farm.

“Honestly, technology helps you get through some of those challenges, and we’re able to pull the data from different things,” Rauen says. “I think we’re ready for the next 10 years.

That is why GenoSource is the 2024 Milk Business Leader in Technology Award winner.

Lidocaine Infused Bands Minimize Castration Discomfort for Young Calves

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:37:43 GMT

As consumer concern for animal rearing practices rises, and industry awareness of animal welfare increases at the same time, food animal rearing practices are changing in step.

One of those practices: castration, a necessary yet painful rite of passage for every male animal destined for the beef market. A recent study at Kansas State University – presented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference in Columbus, Ohio -- demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands can help calves transition through the castration phase more smoothly and comfortably.

In the study, 26 beef-cross calves under two weeks of age were banded with either the lidocaine-infused band, or a conventional castration band. Calves were individually housed for close observation, and followed via 24/7 video surveillance for 42 days.

Among the results, researchers found:

· The calves treated with the lidocaine-infused bands had significantly more bouts of lying, and more total lying time, than those treated with conventional bands.

· The greatest disparity in lying time occurred between days 21 and 35, which is significant because that is the typical time when bands start cutting through the tissue. “It is great to see the lidocaine-banded calves were comfortable lying down at a time that we often say is the chronic part of the pain related to castration,” noted Eduarda Bortoluzzi, DVM, and assistant professor of animal welfare in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University.

· While weight loss would be expected immediately after castration, calves receiving the treated bands gained a bit of weight the first week after castration, while those with conventional bands lost weight during the same time period – an indication that the lidocaine-banded calves returned to appetite more quickly.

· At the end of the study, the final bodyweight was an average of more than 3 pounds higher for the calves receiving the lidocaine-treated bands compared to those receiving conventional bands.

“In addition to weight gain, it’s also about doing the right thing for our animals and providing some type of analgesic relief during castration because we know it’s painful,” declared Bortoluzzi. “I would use it to decrease their stress during this period. We now have a type of analgesic that was not available before.”

In other news from Bovine Veterinarian:
New Veterinary Teaching And Research Hospital To Break Ground
Does Your Veterinary Business Culture Need To Change?

Secrets to Success with Precision Cow Monitoring Systems

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:51:41 GMT

Activity and rumination monitoring systems -- precision cow monitoring -- can revolutionize the way a dairy manages its cows. Or they can pile up frustrations and create greater expense without adding value, according to Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor in Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University. She noted the following requirements to make the systems worth the investment for dairies:

A commitment to embracing technology – Successfully using precision cow monitoring requires a combination of common sense, cow sense, and tech sense. Cantor said it’s not necessary for anyone on the dairy to be a technological whiz, but at least one person must be committed to learning the system, monitoring the data, and making decisions based off of it. “A lot of times what happens is people will buy these systems for estrus detection. This is fine, but farmers often pay for the algorithms for transition cow monitoring too because it is also a really attractive feature,” she stated. “However, if no one is acting on that data, you’re paying for something and not using it. Make sure you allocate a worker to transition cow monitoring with the system for maximum benefit.”
Customizing alerts – Cantor said many precision cow monitoring systems were developed in Europe. Thus, the default settings were validated in herds of less than 100 cows that are usually housed quite differently than typical U.S. herds. “A lot of people don’t realize that the software lets you play with the thresholds of alerts,” Cantor advised. “For heat detection, I advise to mostly leave those alone; they work really well. But for transition cows, see what thresholds fit best for your farm. If you’re being alerted and the cows look perfectly healthy, the software needs to be adjusted. The same is true if you’re not being alerted until the cows are really sick and could benefit from earlier intervention. Ask your equipment dealer for how to adjust the health alert settings before purchasing.”
Timely installation – Cantor shared that it takes most systems about a month for the algorithm to understand an individual cow’s activity behavior for estrus detection. Some health alert systems take at least 50 cattle to move through the system before timely health alerts are detected in the herd, and most take about 8-12 days to learn an individual cow’s behavior. This is highly dependent on which system is purchased so make sure to ask your equipment dealer about the system you are purchasing.

She said a common mistake is to put rumination monitoring collars on cows when they freshen, versus a few weeks before in the dry period. “Those first 10 days in milk are when a lot of problems happen, but those opportunities will be missed because the system doesn’t understand the cow yet,” she said. “Plus, the baseline is also off, because the system thinks those early fresh days are ‘normal’ for the cow, when that’s not the case at all.” Cantor recommends putting rumination tags on cows at 21 days before freshening for maximum results.

It isn’t commonly known, but cows at risk for metabolic disorders show changes in rumination patterns weeks before calving. Keeping an eye on rumination patterns in the dry close up period is fundamental to evaluate which cows have consistent rumination and which ones have high variation in rumination patterns (at least an hour of variation a day). The ones that aren’t consistent in their rumination patterns are the cows to keep a close eye on after calving.
Maintenance minding – Just as a point person is needed to utilize the technology, another is needed to keep it functioning. That could be the same person or two different individuals. But someone needs to be in charge of ensuring batteries are still functioning; tags are in good repair and staying on the cows; and equipment pieces are cleaned regularly. Cantor said a common problem with precision technologies in general is that they are viewed as shiny new tools that are maintenance-free. “That’s definitely not true,” said Cantor. “Virtually every dairy that hates their automated milking system, for example, is not maintaining it.”

Cantor said the capabilities of activity and rumination monitoring systems extend beyond estrus detection; they are exciting and highly valuable -- especially when it comes to transition cows – once the system is understood and customized to the dairy. “I hope more people use activity and rumination monitoring to fine-tune their transition programs,“ stated Cantor. “It’s great when it works.”

Your Next Read: Milk Production Resilient Despite Tight Heifer Supply Concerns

Unlock the Future: How Tech is Revolutionizing Dairy Farming

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:01:39 GMT

Dairy producers take immense pride in delivering a wholesome product day in and day out. However, with the global population projected to surge by 30% in the next three decades and available farmland decreasing by 250 million acres by 2050, the agricultural sector faces an enormous challenge. To meet the growing demand, agricultural production must increase by 40%.

Recently at the Center of Excellence’s Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference in Harrisburg, Pa., three producers talked about their journey of innovation and technology as a way to spell longevity to their operations.

Alan Waybright’s Technological Upgrades Journey
Located in Mount Rock, Pa., Alan Waybright’s farm serves as a compelling example of how innovation can drive success in dairy farming. Purchased in 2019, the farm began with 650 cows and has since expanded to 940 cows. These cows now produce 92 lbs. of milk, with component levels of 4.2% butterfat and 3.3% protein on a four-times-per-day milking schedule.

A significant contributor to this success has been the technological upgrades implemented on the farm. The family invested in upgrading their parlor from a double-12 herringbone to a new, Delaval, 50-cow rotary milking parlor equipped with a pre-and post-dip robotic arm, enhancing efficiency, as the cows can now all be milked under four hours. Moreover, they added a new calf barn, a 210 x 240 silage pad, and a 160-stall four-row free stall barn. These upgrades not only improved productivity but also animal welfare and farm management.

Additionally, the farm works with Total Farm Marketing to mitigate risk by helping book commodities and milk futures.

“We lean on a whole team that can help us make decisions that can benefit our future,” Waybright says.

Brake’s Automation Transformation
Matthew Brake with Oakleigh Farm milks 120 Registered Holsteins and farms 400 acres, all with family labor. The family experienced a barn fire in December of 2019 that made them change the landscape – honing in on automation – as the family rebuilt and added two Lely robots less than a year later.

“We obviously never want to go through that again or wish for anyone to have to go through that, but it is really amazing to see how technology can work together,” he says, noting the curtains on the barns are automated, along with the fans in the barn. “Plus, all the data that we get from the robots. It is pretty amazing.”

Brake says that changing to robots has increased production and reduced the need for labor.

“Because of the technology, we have more flexibility and family time,” he adds.

Peckman: Embracing Diversity and Technology
At Slate Ridge Dairy Farm, Inc., Ben Peckman underscores the importance of diversity in mitigating risks. In addition to milking 170 cows, the family raises 100 youngstock, 150 steers, and farms around 1,100 acres. “Diversity is our key technology,” Peckman states

“It cannot be bought, but it pays. Diversity is our secret weapon to combat weather, markets and other risks.”

Peckman utilizes a variety of technologies including GPS guidance, planter row clutches, variable rate seeding, sprayer boom section control, and yield monitoring to optimize operations. They also use daily forage dry matter measuring and the SCiO cup and phone app for adjustments, leading to more consistent intakes and production and higher components. The farm has a robotic feed pusher that drives higher intakes on fresh feed and saves labor, and automated ventilation controls, fans, curtains, sprinklers, and a mobile calf milk pasteurizer.

Peckman notes that on their own, each of these technologies are relatively small investments.

“However, they are fairly affordable for small to medium-sized dairies,” he says. “They add up to make large impacts on our daily operations and ultimately, our profitability.”

By adopting advanced technologies and diverse strategies, producers not only enhance efficiency and productivity but also ensure sustainable and profitable operations for the future.

Purdue University Researches Benefits of Fatty Acids Found in Meat

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 18:12:41 GMT

The impact of arachidonic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fat found only in animal products, upon human health remains mostly misunderstood, according to an article released by Purdue University. Researchers aim to study the subject further.

Led by James Markworth , assistant professor of animal sciences , the team will carefully test the health effects of omega-6 in laboratory experiments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture , will fund the research and the experiments will clarify which omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and seafood are responsible for yielding their health benefits.

“These polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential because you need to acquire them through the diet,” Markworth says. “They can’t be made in the body. And in particular it’s the long-chain versions, which are found in products of animal or marine origin, that are thought to potentially influence human health.”

Both omega-3 and omega-6 are long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and some of these fatty acids are also essential fatty acids.

The long-chain omega-6 fat arachidonic acid is found only in meat, poultry and eggs. “You can’t get it from vegetable sources, and you can’t get it from fish. We think that these nutrients found in meat and poultry products might have similar benefits as, say, fish oil or fish products. And that’s something you don’t hear very often,” Markworth says.

Previous research has well established that fish oil fatty acids have metabolic benefits. But which fatty acids convey those benefits and how remains unclear. The major ones are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Collaborating with Markworth on the project are: Tzu-Wen Cross in the College of Health and Human Sciences , along with Tim Johnson and Kolapo Ajuwon , both in the College of Agriculture ’s Department of Animal Sciences .

“What we’re suggesting is when you eat these lipids in the diet or dietary supplements, the systemic response your body has might depend on the resident microbes first encountered in the gastrointestinal tract,” Markworth says. “And we’re proposing that the systemic response is largely mediated by the effect on the skeletal muscle.”

Markworth notes the skeletal muscle determines metabolic health, obesity and diabetes as it is the largest site of glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity.

Read more here .

Livestock and mRNA Vaccines: What You Need To Know

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:56:42 GMT

As misinformation regarding the use of mRNA vaccines in livestock filter through social media, there are facts begging to be set straight.

Recently, a claim was made saying producers are required to inject livestock with mRNA vaccines.

According to USDA spokesperson, Marissa Perry says, “There is no requirement or mandate that producers vaccinate their livestock for any disease. It is a personal and business decision left up to the producer and will remain that way,” in response to the claim, Associated Press shared in an article .

National Pork Board’s Director of Consumer Public Relations, Jason Menke echoed the statement to AP, noting that the decision to use vaccines and other medical treatments to protect animal health and well-being are made by the farmer under the direction of the herd veterinarian.

To further explain mRNA vaccines and shed light on controversies, Dr. Kevin Folta, a molecular biologist and professor at the University of Florida, shares his viewpoint and experience with the technology.

What are mRNA Vaccines?

First introduced to the population through the COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines have been in development for decades, says Folta in a recent AgriTalk segment.

He adds that the technology’s potential in human health makes it a likely candidate to have a place in animal health as well. However, “the technology is being maligned in social media, and is now shaping decisions at the level of state legislature,” Folta says. This leads to the growing importance that producers and consumers become more educated on the topic.

What Folta believes began in January of this year, based on claims with very little data, certain advocates against mRNA vaccines are concerned that mRNA vaccines are in use and development in livestock. Additionally, these vaccines may then be present in the food these animals provide.

Why mRNA Vaccines Are Not Present in Food

“It’s not in your food. It’s a vaccine for the animal that, just like any vaccine, protects the animal from disease,” Folta says.

Current mRNA vaccines being used in swine are injected into the muscle, Folta explains, which causes the development of the immune response protein to then stimulate the body to work against the virus.

“In the absence of the virus, it’s kind of like giving the virus or giving the body a ‘wanted’ poster that says, ‘when this individual comes along, and this virus comes along, work against it,’ and it’s all gone within hours,” he adds.

The mRNA never leaves the cells from where it was injected. RNA is a very unstable molecule that must be kept cold, buffered and in solvent, to remain viable, Folta explains.

Additionally, any licensed vaccine comes with a minimum time before that animal can enter the food chain, also known as the “withdrawal time,” says Alan Young, professor in the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University and founder of protein platform (non-mRNA) vaccine company Medgene.

The Animal’s Genes Are Not Altered

While mRNA vaccines include genetic code, Folta says the use of a mRNA vaccines does not alter the animal’s genes in any way.

“This [mRNA] is an intermediate between the gene itself and the products that the gene encodes. So, it’s like having a blueprint and a house. The mRNA is like the construction worker. It takes the blueprint and manufactures the house. In the case of the cell, it takes the DNA blueprint and then takes a little bit of that information to build part of the final structure. The mRNA is just that intermediate, it does not change the genes. It doesn’t change the DNA itself,” he explains.

What are the Benefits of mRNA Vaccines?

More flexibility and faster response to new disease, Folta describes as reasons why mRNA vaccines are becoming more popular.

Traditional vaccines require large amounts of a virus to be raised and purified before being injected to elicit an immune response, he adds. Meanwhile, mRNA encourages the body to make a little piece of protein to elicit the desired immune response.

“It’s much cleaner, much easier. If you’re moving parts in this machine, to make this product that induces an immune response, it’s so good in so many ways,” Folta says.

In pork production specifically, researchers are working with mRNA vaccines that will work this way against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which is a viral disease that causes economic loss totals around $664 million per year in the U.S. (Holtkamp et al., 2013).

Additionally, the use of mRNA technology adds another tool to the toolbox, which may be helpful in combating diseases, such as African swine fever (ASF), avian influenza and other food-animal diseases.
“This stands to be a revolutionary technology if we don’t get in the way,” Folta adds.

Are There Risks to mRNA Vaccines?

Folta says everything has some sort of risk, but it’s important to weigh the benefits against the risk.
As seen with the COVID-19 vaccines, in rare cases, people experienced side effects from the vaccine. However, Folta is encouraged by the initial results in livestock.

“If you look in animals where these [vaccines] have been used, there have been no unusual effects noted. Everything potentially has risk, but it’s monitored, and especially in large animal populations, we can look very carefully at that for surveillance,” he explains.

mRNA Enters State Legislation

While some consumers spread misinformation about the use of mRNA vaccines, the ideas have also crept into state legislation.

The Missouri House Bill 1169 , with a special hearing set for Apr. 19 on the matter, aims to require a label be used on meat from animals treated with an mRNA vaccine, identifying the “potential gene therapy product.”
This bill falsely claims that mRNA vaccines would modify the genes of the organism, Folta explains.

mRNA vaccines are simply another modality that can protect animal health, which results in healthy animals producing the best and safest food products, Folta says, and provides producers with more options to help combat disease.

“To have affordable food, we need to have continual innovation in the animal, medical, veterinary space and mRNA vaccines are safe and an effective way to treat the animal that does not change the final product,” he adds.

The COVID-19 pandemic simply “broke the seal” to the development of these new modalities that will change the way human and animal diseases will be treated in the years to come.

More on Vaccines:

Genvax Technologies Secures $6.5 Million to Advance Novel Vaccine Platform

Cattle Veterinarians Have New Vaccination Guidelines

Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines

OTC Livestock Antibiotics Will Require Prescription June 11

Company Unveils Single Sign-On Capability to Enhance Platform Security and User Accessibility

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:07:29 GMT

GlobalVetLink announces the introduction of Single Sign-On (SSO) capability into its GVL Compliance Assistant Platform. This new feature aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to bolstering platform security while significantly streamlining user account access.

In today’s digital era, where cybersecurity threats are increasingly sophisticated, GlobalVetLink is invested in providing secure, efficient, and user-friendly compliance solutions. Integrating SSO functionality into the GVL Compliance Assistant Platform is a testament to this commitment, the company reports.

SSO simplifies the login process by enabling users to access multiple applications or systems with a single set of credentials. This enhances user convenience and significantly improves security measures by reducing the number of attack vectors available to malicious entities.

“The GlobalVetLink team prioritizes the security of our platform and the convenience of our users,” says Steve Adamson, GlobalVetLink’s Chief Technology Officer. “The addition of Single Sign-On is a major milestone in our continuous effort to provide veterinary professionals the most secure and seamless experience possible. Now, with a single set of credentials, users can access the GVL Compliance Assistant Platform without compromising on security.”

The SSO feature supports a range of popular identity providers (i.e., Okta, JumpCloud, etc.). The company says this versatility ensures that organizations can easily integrate their existing identity management solutions with the GVL Compliance Assistant Platform, facilitating a smooth transition for users. Furthermore, this capability empowers IT departments to maintain better control over access and authentication, improving compliance with internal and external regulatory standards.

For more information about GlobalVetLink and the GVL Compliance Assistant Platform, please visit www.globalvetlink.com .

Gene Editing in Beef Cattle

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 19:40:19 GMT

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. These “intended alterations” accomplished through editing are another potential tool in the tool box of cattle breeders. This technology is primarily useful for simply inherited traits (influenced at one locus of the genome).

CRISPR technology has many potential applications that facilitate sustainability, animal welfare and efficiency. These include:

- The opportunity to repair deleterious genetic conditions

- The opportunity to introduce naturally occurring useful alleles into breed germplasm. Specifically, to potentially bring a useful gene from one breed to another breed.

- Introduce traits that change sex ratio of heifers versus bulls.

- Enable breeding schemes to accelerate genetic progress

- Gene edits for disease resistance

As of now, the successful gene edits accomplished in cattle include:

- The first gene edited beef calf with reduced susceptibility to a major viral pathogen, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

- Knock out of the Myostatin gene to increase lean muscle yield

- Intraspecies Polled allele substitution

- Intraspecies Slick hair allele and gene for diluted coat color to improve heat tolerance

The use of this technology in the United States beef industry likely hinges on the regulatory framework imposed. On a global basis, this varies dramatically from country to country. The future of genome editing will likely be governed by the development of a fit-for-purpose, risk-based regulatory framework that fosters innovation, supports trade, creates profit potential and promotes public acceptance.

Reference: Blueprint For The Future – Part 2 Cattle Conference. The Evolution of Technology, Successful Gene Edits, How It Works and the Approval Process Panel Discussion. May, 2024

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:18:21 GMT

Do you remember the last time a technology excited you? Excited you so much you gaped your mouth in astonishment? For me, this happened when I first drove a car with adaptive cruise control, typed a question into Chat GPT, and streamed a movie on my TV. However, as time wore on, these all became common day experiences. This is the curse of technology. It becomes boring very quickly. Is this bad? In my eyes, boring technology is good technology. Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. As I see it, there are three boring technologies silently shaping the industry – sort gates, forage harvesters, and mechanical ventilation.

Sort Gates

Sort gates are not new, not sexy, and not exciting. However, there are very few new dairies built without sort gates as part of the cattle management system. Sort gates have the amazing capability to bring cows to you. Sort gates bring cows to the herd manager versus the herd manager finding the cows. With this, a single herd manager can exponentially increase his productivity with less time walking finding cows, and more time treating, breeding, or checking cows. Sort gates have become far more efficient and dependable and have allowed for the scalability of cow management.

Forage Harvesters

Self-propelled forage harvesters are not new, not sexy, and not exciting. Well, maybe a little sexy. As a nutritionist, it is my job to annoyingly remind my clients of the importance and impact of forage quality. In the pursuit of high-quality forage, nothing has been as impactful as large, self-propelled choppers. With forage, timing is everything. Big choppers have increased the capacity and speed at which we can execute forage harvesting. This allows us to sneak between rain windows, catch drying corn silage, and build and seal forage piles quickly. Dairies would not be nearly as productive, healthy, or large without these machines.

Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is not new, not sexy, and not exciting. By mechanical ventilation, I am referring to cross-ventilated or tunnel-ventilated dairy barns. Anywhere you go around the world, these structures are popping up. Once just thought to be a tool for cow cooling or air quality, mechanical ventilation has changed the way we build and manage dairies. Mechanical ventilation has assisted in cow cooling and comfort in many climates. These ventilation systems allow for barns to become larger and concentrate cows closer to parlors. This, in turn, has allowed for easier cow movements, lower construction costs, and improved cow performance.

As we look forward to the next 10 years in the dairy industry, it is not the new, sexy, and exciting technology that will reshape how we do things. It will be the old, ugly, boring technology that allows us to work more efficiently, increase our cow performance, and scale our businesses.

For more on Smart Farming, read:

Wearable Technology is Not Just for People

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:12:01 GMT

Farm Journal’s Smart Farming Week is an annual week-long emphasis on innovation in agriculture. The goal is to encourage you to explore and prioritize the technology, tools and practices that will help you farm smarter. Innovation today ensures an efficient, productive and sustainable tomorrow.

Something wasn’t right. Milk was down. Feed intake plummeted. Standing time increased. The cows stood at the bunk looking listless, yet they refused to eat, sometimes for days at a time. Activity systems across the board were showing a rapid drop in rumination.

These were the conditions that we and our partnering consultants experienced at several of our client’s farms for the last month and a half.

Something was critically wrong.

But what was causing it?
Why were several herds down thousands of lbs of milk?

We’ve come a long way from the days of, “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up” commercials.

From the NBA to Michael Phelps to your local PTA director everyone wants the latest wearable. No longer a simple button, the term “wearables” refers to any device we can sport, from patches to smart watches that can be attached to our bodies to monitor and manage our performance.

Becoming More Precise

As wearables have grown in popularity, the science has evolved as well. By integrating complex biosensors into our lives, we are now capable of knowing more about our bodies than ever!

The beauty of this is that our dairy researchers are catching up and integrating these innovations into our industry. Building their own unique dairy versions of these technologies.

The biosensors housed within these dairy specific wearable devices allow us to continually monitor a range of biometrics such as rumination, activity, bunk time, water intake, rest time, temperature, gps location in the pen, and even stress hormone levels. We are just beginning to see the application of these devices in the dairy industry.

For example, research at Cornell by McArt and Seely has suggested that rumination could be used as a substitute for much more expensive and invasive blood testing. This would allow for accurate, economic detection of subclinical milk fever. Yielding more targeted treatment and preventing secondary transition cow diseases such as ketosis, metritis, or DA’s as well as decreased milk production.

Diving Deeper into Herd Health

For the first time in history, we have the ability to intervene upon disease not just at a sub-clinical (before observation is possible) level but at the very moment of it’s inciting event.

This was what they hoped to do in this presenting case by IDing the very inciting event that had derailed these dairies.

By this point they had eliminated all the usual suspects, mycotoxins, starch levels, fiber digestibility etc. They were convinced it was a palatability issue. But what product could the culprit be? With such complex rations, highly variable protein and mineral mixes how would the team ever be able to know they picked the right product?

To aid this analysis the team of highly qualified veterinarians and nutrition professionals would have to trust these wearables. They would have to trust those “earrings and necklaces” to tell us when they were on the right track.

So, they did just that. Product by product the ration was adjusted to eliminate potential causes. After the change, they waited with bated breath and watched intakes, feeding time and rumination rates almost hourly. Hoping for that bump that suggested they had found the offender.

It was not a quick or flawless process. It was filled with frustration by owners and consultants alike. More than one hard conversation was had.

Several weeks after the inciting event, after three or four iterations of product removals, the source was found. Suddenly, intakes went up, rumination jumped almost 20%, and slowly the milk came back as well.

All this was aided by a wearable “necklace or earring” placed on a cow. The ability to ID the smallest ingredient, the smallest inciting change, and intervene, hopefully, before it becomes a bigger issue. That’s the power of biometrics. That’s the future of our industry.

For more on Smart Farming, read:

Iowa State University Advances Veterinary Diagnostics with High-Volume Testing Innovation

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:19:52 GMT

Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is set to revolutionize molecular diagnostic testing with the introduction of a cutting-edge machine—the “SmartChip.” This innovative device can hold over 5,000 samples on a plate no larger than a postage stamp and uses quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing technology, combined with a 384-sample system featuring automated handling features, to significantly enhance its testing capacity, says a recent release .

“The historical patterns of pathogens are changing, so we need to be prepared for risks we haven’t seen before. Having this high-throughput capability will allow us to meet industry needs, providing more cost-efficient diagnostic tests as the need for testing grows,” says Rahul Nelli, a research assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, in the release.

To refine the use of high-volume testing methods, the VDL recently secured a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, aims to prepare for future disease outbreaks. Through this initiative, researchers will ensure the accuracy and integration of the novel high-volume testing methods with existing systems for tracking and reporting test results.

“ISU VDL’s first-hand experience in responding to pandemics of high consequence to both animal and human health over the past few years, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and COVID-19, have clearly illustrated the value of high-throughput testing platforms and need for further innovation,” said Dr. Rodger Main, ISU VDL director, in the release.

The SmartChip testing relies on microfluidic technology to detect targets of interest in samples, using a volume 100 times smaller than the VDL’s standard 96-well machines, the release explains. With samples precisely distributed in the chip’s 5,184 testing wells, the SmartChip machines can produce up to 30,000 test results per day. In comparison, the conventional 96-well method yields approximately 2,000 tests. Additionally, the 384-well machine offers a more moderate increase in capacity, capable of handling about 9,000 tests per day through smaller samples and automated loading.

Nelli envisions the SmartChip testing as a reserve resource for sudden spikes in demand for qPCR tests. This reliable method detects trace amounts of genetic material, including infectious agents in humans and animals. On the other hand, the 384-well automated machines can be part of regular lab operations, mitigating labor shortages. Moreover, by making test prices more affordable, they pave the way for wider use of surveillance testing among livestock producers.

Over the next two years, researchers will focus on integrating the new testing machines with existing reporting software. They will also validate the new methods and develop protocols for various samples used in veterinary diagnostics, including fluids, fecal matter, eggshells, and feathers. By 2025, these high-capacity testing methods could potentially be implemented in the VDL.

Main emphasizes in the release that ISU VDL, with the largest veterinary diagnostic laboratory caseload in the nation, plays a crucial role in serving the needs of 21st-century food animal agriculture. Consequently, the next-generation high-throughput testing platforms will undeniably contribute to fulfilling these requirements.

New Veterinary Toxicology Training Program Created at K-State

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:21:05 GMT

Rapid response to animal health emergencies has prompted the creation of a new veterinary toxicology training program at Kansas State University. A $248,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will enhance the ability of researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine to answer calls for help.

The goal of the program, developed by Steve Ensley, clinical veterinary toxicologist, and Bob Larson, professor of production medicine, is to create impactful and innovative outreach tools. This will better enable livestock veterinarians to recognize and address toxicology problems in food animal species, especially cattle, small ruminants and pigs.

This project will utilize veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education resources, including a toxicology call-in hotline for practicing veterinarians called CONSULT — Collaborative, Online, Novel, Science-based, User-friendly, Learning Tool — for common livestock toxicology problems, and YouTube training videos.

The nationwide call-in service to address common food animal toxicological emergencies was identified as a priority by the researchers.

“The toxicology section at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and I receive multiple calls each day dealing with questions about food animal veterinary toxicology from across the U.S.,” Ensley said. “Many questions are about current cases that veterinarians are dealing with and they want assistance in answering specific questions. Because of the infrequent nature of most toxicological case presentations, many practicing veterinarians find it difficult to maintain the current knowledge necessary to quickly address specific toxicological emergencies.”

The outreach portals created with the grant provide new and valuable resources to practitioners.

“This program will greatly enhance currently available toxicology resources for teaching veterinary nurses and veterinary students during the last two years of their professional education,” Larson said.

Some of the resources can be modified to be content-appropriate to introduce important animal health concepts to high school students in grades 11 and 12, he said.

Outreach portals for the training materials will include the websites for the Beef Cattle Institute, Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, K-State Veterinary Medical Continuing Education and the Colby Community College veterinary nursing program.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Donor Eligibility and Manufacturing of Cellular Therapies for Animals

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:48:21 GMT

The U.S Food and Drug Administration issued for public comment two draft guidance documents that, if finalized, will help manufacturers of animal cells, tissues, and cell- and tissue-based products (ACTPs) understand current good manufacturing practice requirements (CGMPs) for new animal drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). CGMPs help prevent contamination and help ensure ACTP quality. If finalized, the recommendations are intended to support the development of promising and innovative products that can benefit animal health.

“ACTPs have the potential to make significant changes in how we treat diseases and may provide novel therapies for unmet therapeutic needs of animals. We want to support manufacturers in the safe production of these promising products,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner of the FDA. “It is important to note that the FDA is not imposing any new requirements on the manufacturers of ACTPs with these new draft guidance documents. These draft guidance documents, if finalized, are intended to assist manufacturers by providing product-specific recommendations that will help developers of these products meet existing FDA manufacturing requirements. Our goal is to help manufacturers be successful in their efforts to develop innovative products that can benefit animal health.”

In the draft guidance, ACTPs are defined as products that contain, consist of, or are derived from cells or tissues that are intended for implantation, transplantation, infusion or transfer into an animal recipient. Furthermore, ACTPs refer to products that meet the definition of a new animal drug. In the draft guidance, ACTPs include both cell-based products and animal stem cell-based products. ACTPs are most commonly investigated for regenerative medicine applications because they have the potential to repair diseased or damaged tissues in animals through regeneration and healing. Currently, these products are most commonly investigated and used in companion animals including dogs, cats, and horses; however, ACTPs may be also be developed for use in other species.

All new animal drugs are required to be manufactured in accordance with CGMPs to ensure that such drugs meet the requirements of the FD&C Act for safety, and to have the identity, strength, quality, and purity characteristics which they purport to or are represented to possess. Because the manufacture of ACTPs present unique considerations for complying with CGMPs, the FDA is issuing two draft guidance documents for industry.

The first draft guidance, #253, “Good Manufacturing Practices for Animal Cells, Tissues, and Cell- and Tissue-Based Products” provides manufacturers of ACTPs with recommendations for meeting requirements for CGMPs. It addresses the methods, facilities and controls used for manufacturing ACTPs, including steps in recovery, processing, storage, labeling, packaging and distribution. The draft guidance also addresses methods for preventing contamination and ensuring quality of the ACTP during manufacturing.

The second draft guidance #254, “Donor Eligibility for Animal Cells, Tissues, and Cell- and Tissue-Based Products”, if finalized, will assist sponsors, firms or establishments that participate in the manufacture of ACTPs or perform any aspect of the ACTP donor eligibility determination. Selecting appropriate donors is critical to product quality and preventing the transmission of disease.

The concepts and principles in these draft guidance documents are consistent with the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research’s (CBER’s) regulations (21 CFR 1271 subparts C and D) and associated guidance documents for human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products.

“The FDA is seeking to improve transparency by engaging early in the development process and informing industry of our draft recommendations now, while the industry is still taking shape, as we are receiving applications seeking approval of ACTPs for use in animals,” said Dr. Steven Solomon, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “As part of our commitment to fostering the development of innovative products in the most streamlined and efficient manner possible, we’re encouraging the ACTP industry to take advantage of our Veterinary Innovation Program, which is designed to assist product developers generate the appropriate data needed to support a new animal drug application.”

The FDA recommends sponsors and manufacturers of ACTPs contact the FDA early and often in the product development process to discuss considerations specific to the manufacture and approval of new animal drug products. The FDA has developed a process for these interactions through participation in its Veterinary Innovation Program, a program available to most ACTPs and aimed at providing greater certainty in the regulatory process, encouraging research and development, and supporting an efficient and predictable pathway to approval for these innovative products.

The FDA is accepting public comments on both draft guidance documents until November 22, 2021 so that we may consider comments before potentially issuing final guidance documents; however, comments on guidance documents are welcome at any time. Later this year, the FDA will also host a webinar to discuss the draft guidance documents for all interested stakeholders. Visit FDA.gov for more information.

Marrying Technology with Calf Management

Thu, 27 May 2021 17:56:43 GMT

When looking at whole herd profitability, a producer’s focus tends to be directed towards the cows — the animals who are making money today. However, according to Dr. Kelly Reed, a veterinarian with Diamond V, dairy producers have an opportunity to do a better job of raising heifers by incorporating basic technology that can help them to improve their heifer programs and animal lifetime performance.

David Mathes, director of sales and marketing for DBC Ag Products, a company that specializes in the development and marketing of innovative biotechnology in animal health, concurs with Reed. He emphasizes that what drives producers to implement technology should be geared more towards the health and nutritional benefits to the calf rather than just on labor savings.

“Producers will reduce labor and [create] efficiencies, but management time will increase,” Mathes says. “A good manager is critical; if a system goes down — not cleaning or mixing properly — the growth curve and health of a calf can change quickly.”

Shawn Miller with Pagel’s Ponderosa in Kewaunee, Wis., has been utilizing technology with his calf manager role for several years.

“Technology makes you think differently and teaches you to approach situations differently,” he adds. “A once difficult task now is simple as just a few keystrokes.”

While the milk check might not entice big-ticket spending, more affordable technology, including data analysis programs, calf scales and pasteurizers, are being utilized in raising calves and heifers.

Data analysis programs

With data analysis programs, Reed suggests utilizing programs that look at calf health records, using real time data and making it usable to producers. While technology allows for a better job of collecting data, she reiterates that management is still required to analyze the data, as well as the need to visually look at the calves. “This is where technology for youngstock comes into play,” she says. “Health data is vital in making timely decisions on determining both culling and rearing decisions to have the best animals for the future.”

Along with an RFID wand, Pagel’s uses DairyComp’s app-based program, which allows them to simultaneously collect data and input it into the computer straight from a handheld device. Multiple lists are generated from DairyComp that allow the Pagel’s team to efficiently vaccinate young stock.

“What we can do with DairyComp is a game-changer,” Miller says. “If you know what to tell it, then it will generate the lists and reports.”

Calf Scales

As the cost of raising heifers has skyrocketed, the dynamics of raising heifers has changed. Reed states that more of her clients are purchasing scales and putting them to use to weigh calves.

The saying, ‘You can’t manage it, if you can’t measure it’, is true Reed says.

For years, Pagel’s has been individually weighing calves on a digital scale that reads RFID tags at birth, again at weaning and finally between four and five months of age. The weight data automatically uploads into DairyComp and Miller receives the average daily gain weights to know how calves are performing. His management decisions, like culling and increasing the milk volume fed, are made based off that data. Technology helps Pagel’s make the most of their culling decisions before the calf hits six months of age.

Pasteurizers

Calf pasteurizers are becoming more common as dairies look to reduce costs and improve consistency. Most dairies that Reed works with are feeding waste milk to calves and have invested in a pasteurizer. Mathes says that pasteurizers work, but they must be properly managed. One of the biggest issues he sees when troubleshooting problems on dairies is from a lack of cleanliness.

Reed notes that many dairies are also using a pasteurizer for colostrum, and she recommends an inexpensive colostrometer to help evaluate colostrum quality.

“Or if you want a more precise reading of the total solids use a Brix refractometer, which is easy to use,” she adds.

Mathes agrees with checking the quality of colostrum, but also recommends using your sight and smell to help assess its quality. The pair also recommend running a pre- and post-pasteurizer test through a milk lab to make sure pasteurized milk is being heated correctly.

Facts versus myths

With more expensive purchases, like robotic calf-feeding systems, Mathes says that robotic calf feeders do not necessarily reduce labor. Instead, this technology requires higher-skilled labor. He notes that these kinds of systems are good on their own, but can work wonders when paired with data and observational management.

“You have to closely watch the calves; they will ‘talk’ to you and they will tell you how they’re doing,” Mathes says.

One of the biggest challenges with implementing technology is that calf management must change, and everyone has to be on board. Health can become an issue if feed rates are off or sanitation is not performed properly. Mathes also notes that diseases can transfer quickly from calf to calf in a group-housing setting and recommends keeping a close eye on calves.

“Both maintenance and management are required with technology,” Mathew adds “By the time you notice system failure or breakdown, it can be too late.”

The evolution to technology and housing calves is coming fast to dairies. Miller suggests centering in on the data that technology offers and utilize a strong management system. Doing so allows you to marry together your calf and heifer program and form a brighter future for your operation. However, even when using technology, Miller still sees the value in walking the rows of calves daily.

“The human eye can see things that computer can’t,” he says.

Optimal Lying Times and Immediate Treatment Combat Lameness

Does Breeding to Beef Sires Alter Dam Productivity?

The Pros and Cons of Using a Colostrum Replacer

Veterinarians Raise The Bar For Bull Breeding Soundness Exams

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 15:24:58 GMT

A bull can look and act like he’s primed to produce offspring, but a breeding soundness exam (BSE) can help you determine his actual potential for success. Data show that one of every 5 bulls tested fails a breeding soundness exam, according to the Society of Theriogenology, an organization dedicated to animal reproduction. A variety of reasons for that exists, with a primary one being poor sperm morphology, says Jennifer Koziol.

“Multiple studies have shown us that about 50% of the bulls that fail breeding soundness exams do so because of poor sperm morphology,” says Koziol, DVM, MS, DACT, clinical assistant professor, Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine.

For a bull to pass a BSE as a “satisfactory potential breeder,” the Society maintains that 70% morphologically normal sperm is the standard. Along with that, a minimum of 30% progressively motile cells also remains a standard. Some practitioners say the standards set a low bar to achieve – given the potential ramifications for beef producers – and are why many are working to improve the quality of the BSEs they perform.

But like many of the procedures veterinary practitioners undertake, evaluating sperm morphology is not a simple process. “The assessment is tedious and takes time,” notes Ahmed Tibary, DVM, MS, DSc, PhD, DACT, Washington State University professor and president-elect of the Society.

Some abnormalities of semen are difficult to see with the common staining techniques practitioners use. “Slide preparation is important; when in doubt fix semen samples in phosphate-buffered saline,” he recommends. “It’s also important to have a system to keep the slides and semen warm for evaluation of motility.”

Koziol says veterinarians need to look at sperm morphology at a high power with oil, with either brightfield or phase microscopy. “Looking at morphology slides at anything less than 1000X under oil or just looking at sperm motility and calling a bull satisfactory isn’t good enough,” she says.

Glen Jensen encourages practitioners to consider using a complete differential spermiogram (CDS) in their assessment of sperm morphology. A CDS breaks down and lists each of about 24 morphological abnormalities recognized by the Society, providing a more complete picture of the bull’s sperm production and quality.

“A significant benefit comes when we utilize the potential influences each type of morphological abnormality can have on fertility,” says Jensen, DVM, Emery Animal Health & Integris Cattle, Castle Dale, Utah.

Examples of this include detached heads and distal midpiece reflexes, which he says have very little negative effect on fertility until they reach levels of between 30% and 40 % in the ejaculate. On the other hand, he says proximal cytoplasmic droplets, nuclear vacuoles, and pyriform heads will begin to negatively impact fertility at around 15% to 20% of the ejaculate.

“Without a CDS this information is missing, and some subfertile bulls will be used while other bulls will receive an unsatisfactory classification yet would perform well,” Jensen says. “Using a CDS, veterinarians can better help producers make informed breeding management decisions through selecting the correct bulls for optimal herd reproductive performance.

Jensen says veterinarians need to treat semen evaluation as a diagnostic tool, then look at management, environment, and genetics to help improve overall bull, herd, and industry cattle fertility. “Too often we as veterinarians and cattlemen want to look at a BBSE as the bull is good or not, rather than a management tool where we obtain a good history, perform a reproductive exam, analyze the semen then look for ways to change or treat the problems found.” (Jensen offers more insights at https://bit.ly/3i88ToZ)

Here are three additional considerations to help you improve the value of bull BSEs for your clients and your clinic:

1. Consider the quality of your equipment and whether you need to upgrade. Particularly, you need a good electroejaculator and a good microscope. Koziol says she doesn’t automatically subscribe to the school of thought that you must have a phase-contrast microscope. While phase contrast microscopes make it easier for you to see certain sperm morphology defects, such as nuclear vacuoles, she believes a good brightfield microscope can get the job done.

“Diadem defects (a sperm morphology abnormality) are a great way to know if your microscope is good enough or not,” she says. “If you can easily see diadem defects and recognize them on sperm morphology slides, then your microscope is good. If you never see them during an entire bull-checking season, then perhaps you should think about investing in a new microscope.”

In addition, Koziol says camera systems for microscopes have become more economical and can transmit the microscope image to a TV.

“This is a great way to add value to our examinations, as it takes the mystery away from what we are seeing in the microscope,” she says, noting that bull owners can quickly learn what normal and grossly abnormal look like.

“In my practice, owners who have observed the results will often call a bull unsatisfactory, even before I can finish counting 100 cells,” she says. “It makes my life easier when I can show an owner why their bull is not going to cut the mustard this breeding season.”

2. Address the role of profitability. A BSE done on the ranch or farm is ideal, because the bull is acclimated to that specific environment and doesn’t have to deal with the stress of transportation. Tibary says to “work with clients so the BSE is more of a regular part of the ranch’s herd health program and part of the regular work you do for the client.”

At the other end of the spectrum, another option is to host a breeding soundness day at your clinic or a centrally located facility, where you can assemble a team to implement the process.

“It helps us concentrate our labor, and we get a lot of our bulls in the practice done in a consolidated period of time,” Koziol says. She adds the clinic often will offer a package of the exam, a dose of dewormer and annual vaccines for a special price.

“It gives the clients with a small number of bulls an economic incentive to bring them to us at the clinic,” she says. “This helps us be really efficient working in good facilities and not having to pack and unpack our whole andrology laboratory.

“During non-COVID times we have often added in a lunch and learn or dinner meeting that producers enjoyed,” she adds. “Certainly, for our larger producers we are happy to pack up and go to them and offer a volume discount for those that have 10-plus bulls for us to do at a time.”

Tibary adds that if a bull BSE is done at the clinic, the results will be most accurate when the bull arrives ahead of time for rest before the procedure is conducted. “Make sure that the personnel helping is not rushing or stressing the bulls, and always focus on safety first,” he says.

Fee-wise, Koziol says she thinks what you charge a client for the BSE likely depends on the market where you’re located. “I take a very what I call Chick-Fil-A approach to pricing for bull breeding soundness exams,” she says. “People will pay more for a quality product with great customer service and never blink an eye, but you can’t price yourself out of a job, either.”

3. Evaluate the entire bull. The physical exam is valuable for a number of reasons, says John Wenzel, Interim Associate Department Head/Extension Veterinarian, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University.

“In the big pasture, arid country that I practice in, bulls have to travel several miles to water, so when they become older, feet and leg/joint abnormalities fail as many bulls as fertility issues do,” he says.

Also, things like ocular cancer and scarred preputial lesions that prevent or shorten penile erection contribute to failing a bull on a BSE.

“Scrotal circumference is something that I have emphasized in producer education events, because it is so important from a predictive standpoint,” Wenzel explains. “In our country, the incoming bull with a satisfactory BSE may not be gathered again until it is ageing out of the bull battery, so that initial BSE is of the utmost importance. It is disheartening to see a bull that has passed a previous fertility exam that has a persistent frenulum, substandard scrotal circumference or some other abnormality that should have been picked up if a BSE was performed properly.”

Tibary adds that he encourages veterinarians to work with clients to consider that the preparation of bulls for reproduction starts early, even before weaning. “Attention should be paid to every detail regarding preventive herd health and nutrition in the preparation of young bulls,” he says.

Updates from the Society of Theriogenology
The Society for Theriogenology updated its recommendations regarding BSEs in its Breeding Soundness Examination of Bulls manual, in 2018, to include:
• With respect to morphology, the abaxial tail implantation and the distal droplet are no longer to be categorized as abnormalities.
• Also, with respect to morphology, the classification scheme designating abnormalities as Primary or Secondary will be discontinued and descriptors with respect to location (Head, Midpiece, and Tail) will be utilized.
• With respect to motility, assessment should be by evaluation of progressive motility; the minimum standard (30% progressively motile) however was not changed.

Learn more at https://www.therio.org/

Register Now for Next Week’s FREE Breeding Soundness Webinar!

Drovers and Bovine Veterinarian invite you to attend a free one-hour webinar March 9 at 7 p.m Central on how to use breeding soundness exams to ensure adult and yearling bulls are ready for the breeding season. PLUS- Veterinarians are eligible for one hour of CE credit.

Technology In The Veterinary Workplace: Consider The Value Of Thermal Audits

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 12:11:24 GMT

This article was prepared by Eric Rooker, DVM, Dairy Doctors Veterinary Services and Operators to Owners, Plymouth, Wis. He can be reached at dairydoctors.com.

Temperature plays a key role in food animal medicine. Food animals are uniquely affected by temperature because it not only denotes a disease or inflammatory process, but external temperature can significantly affect the major economic endpoints of their rearing.

Thermal audits present the food animal practitioner with a unique opportunity today. Such audits are at the convergence of an economic “dialing-in” by producers, where producers are looking to capture any improvements that can make cash flow possible. It is also an age where technology that can feasibly allow for long-term and highly accurate temperature monitoring has been developed and is available at very cheap prices. This places the practitioner in the unique role of being able to utilize their position as an expert on operations to not only improve their client’s bottom line by creating a new thermal audit service, but also improve the overall quality of life for every animal at that operation.

The tools to accomplish this already exist today. Modern technological leaps have taken the infrared thermometer from a massive unit used by firefighters only and transformed it into something that you can clip onto a smart phone and take a picture. A device such as this is now highly portable and available for less than $100. Couple this with the relatively new technology of a temperature data logger, and practices can create a very powerful and long-term analysis of any operation they wish.

Thermal audits do not need to be limited to analysis of facility performance. Audits can vary from accessing the performance of a cross-ventilation barn all the way down to the micro-environment inside a calf hutch. By placing temperature data loggers throughout the facility, a thermal map of the barn can be constructed, allowing for the identification of hot spots throughout a day-to-night cycle. This allows for a visual representation of environment surrounding the cattle. When practitioners pair this data logger information with an analysis of wind speeds throughout the barn (Figure 1), they can identify specific areas of weakness within the facility and target them directly.

Large animal veterinarians should also consider the power of audits of feedstuffs as well as temperature-sensitive medicines, such as vaccines or hormones. While both stand independent on an operation, similar technology can be used to monitor their consistent handling.

I suggest that annual thermal audits of the dairy should occur to facilitate the monitoring of colostrum storage, colostrum feeding temperature, milk and milk replacer feeding temperature, temperature of resting starter feed, temperature of resting TMR bunk feed, temperature of any holding refrigerators and freezers (Figure 2), and vaccine and hormone temperature at the time of storage.

New thermal monitoring technology presents practitioners with unique ways to influence producers and their employees through visual representation of the data. Through the use of infrared phone-mounted thermometer and temperature data loggers, practitioners can now create a powerful presentation to create change at the producer’s operation.

Images such as the ones below (Figures 2 and 3) create a visual representation of what many might consider “less powerful” numbers-only data. These images can connect practitioners to an audience with a wide range of animal or diagnostic knowledge by visually depicting trends and readings. This ability to cross language and skill gaps provides any presentation more power and substance than simply words could convey.

Overall, new technology in temperature detection and logging present veterinary practices with an opportunity to establish new consulting programs around thermal audits of their producers’ operations as well as improve animal care.

U. of Illinois Offers Tech Option for Animal Science

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:52:03 GMT

The Illinois Board of Higher Education this month approved a new undergraduate degree combining computer sciences and animal sciences at the University of Illinois. Incoming freshmen can enroll in the program, known as CS + Animal Sciences , starting in the fall of 2021.

“The way the industry is moving, our students need experience handling large datasets, bioinformatics, genomic information, and data from remote sensors. Having a background in coding, programming, and advanced statistics, will make them highly sought-after in today’s market,” says David J. Miller , undergraduate teaching coordinator for the new program and professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois.

The new degree, first of its kind in the country, expands the list of blended CS + X degrees pioneered through the Department of Computer Science at Illinois and featured in U.S. News & World Report’s upcoming “ Best Colleges of 2020 ” guidebook. CS + Animal Sciences follows the CS + Crop Sciences program as the second such degree to be offered in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences .

Miller says graduates could tackle nearly any large dataset or big-picture problem in the animal sciences. This could include data from remote sensors in large livestock herds, allowing producers to detect and treat health problems in a timely manner. Or analysis of genomic information, leading to breed improvements in efficiency or disease resistance. “Our imagination is our only limit, really,” he says.

Rod Johnson , department head for animal sciences, says, “The animal sciences landscape is experiencing a digital transformation. By creating this first-of-kind degree, we will train the next generation of animal scientist able to address intractable problems, whether it be by probing large production data sets, or implementing sensor technology with machine learning to enhance the health and wellbeing of farm animals and pets.”

The degree will include lower- and upper-division courses in computer sciences, mathematics, and statistics, as well as courses in animal sciences that can be tailored to each student’s career goals. Miller says although the degree will be academically challenging, it can be completed in four years.

“This program, along with our existing CS + Crop Sciences degree, represents yet another way students can leverage their ACES education to change the world. With their ability to handle bigger datasets, students will solve bigger problems facing industry, society, and the planet,” says Anna Ball , associate dean for academic programs in the College of ACES.

“With CS + X, Illinois is at the forefront in preparing students to create and use new computational tools to better understand the world around us. We’re excited to partner with the College of ACES on a second ground-breaking degree that will open up incredible opportunities for Illinois students,” says Nancy M. Amato , department head for computer science and Abel Bliss Professor of Engineering. “These degrees, together with our collaboration with ACES on the Center for Digital Agriculture , will lay the groundwork for exciting new research advances at the agriculture and technology interface.”

Elsa Gunter , director of undergraduate programs for the Department of Computer Science, says, “There’s real potential to make an impact with this new program. Graduates in CS + Animal Sciences will be well-positioned to advance the state-of-the art in Animal Sciences by applying computer science to animal health and behavior, food production, nutrition, animal biology, and related environmental concerns. In turn, those advances will further drive innovation in Computer Science.”

Students transferring from community colleges and within the University of Illinois can enter the program in fall of 2020. Miller says the program will eventually enroll 15 students per year.

7 Steps to Create a Biosecurity Plan

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:32:19 GMT

No matter what type of livestock operation you run, biosecurity should always be at the forefront of your mind. Putting biosecurity protocols in place can help reduce the risk of disease being transferred to not only livestock, but to humans as well.

According to Joe Armstrong, DVM, University of Minnesota Extension cattle production systems educator, having a biosecurity plan can help protect your farm from external pathogens and can minimize the transmission of diseases on your operation. To build a biosecurity plan for your farm, Armstrong provides these seven steps.

1. Determine your goal.

Before you can develop your plan, it is important to determine your end goal. You can’t get to where you are wanting to go unless you know where you are at. To do this, Armstrong suggests asking yourself two questions:

Is there a specific disease that you are looking to target that you already have?
Is there a particular disease you are worried about acquiring?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, that’s okay. Reach out to your veterinarian for help.

2. Develop your team.

One of the most valuable members to have on your farm’s team is your veterinarian. When formulating your biosecurity plan, be sure to include them in on the discussion.

“Your veterinarian is one of the only people you work with that can comment on your entire system and how everything works together,” Armstrong says. “They have specific biosecurity training that can help you develop a plan that targets your most significant transmission risks.”

3. Formulate the plan.

As you begin to write down your farm’s intentions, it is crucial that you be as specific as possible. No matter how simple a protocol may be, you still need to have it in writing. Armstrong suggests creating visible materials that can serve as a reminder to you and your staff.

4. Get everyone on board.

“Biosecurity only works if everyone follows the protocols,” Armstrong says. “One person that isn’t on board can derail the whole thing. Make sure everyone understands what to do and make sure everyone understands why it is important.”

Consider having a team meeting to go over the new protocols and ask employees for their suggestions and feedback.

5. Start the plan.

Now that the plan has been given the green light, it’s time to put it in action.

“The sooner it is in place, the sooner you can refine the protocols and identify problem areas that need to be resolved,” Armstrong says.

6. Fine tune.

Because of workforce turnover and changing conditions on dairy farms, biosecurity training needs to on-going and continually reinforced. It may be helpful to ask your veterinarian to attend these training sessions to answer some of the questions your team members might have.

7. Evaluate and make adjustments.

One of the most important steps in formulating a biosecurity plan is to make adjustments as necessary. Be sure to record incidences of diseases to help measure whether you plan is working or not

“If your plan has been given enough time to work, you can decide if you need to change your plan based on your evaluation,” Armstrong says.

Purdue Scientists Track Salmonella Infection in Real Time

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:11:37 GMT

When bacteria like salmonella infect and sicken people, they hijack a person’s cell proteins to develop a defense against an immune response. Understanding how that works and developing methods for defending against these bacteria is difficult because scientists haven’t been able to track the hundreds of proteins involved in real time.

Now, W. Andy Tao , a Purdue University professor of biochemistry , and colleagues at Purdue and Fudan University in China, have developed a chemical method — host and pathogen temporal interaction profiling, or HAPTIP — for labeling a living bacteria and tracking it as it invades a host cell. Their findings, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie , may help improve understanding of bacterial infections and lead to the development of new drugs.

“The interaction between host cells and pathogens are highly dynamic and complex with many questions to be answered. It is extremely valuable to provide a dynamic picture of such interactions during the infection process,” the authors write. “It is conceivable that the general strategy of HAPTIP can be applicable to many bacteria or virus, thus contributing to the discovery and understanding of host–pathogen interactions in multiple infection systems.”

Salmonella bacteria fend off a cell’s immune defenses by creating a pocket within the cell, called a Salmonella-containing vacuole, in which to hide. The bacteria hijacks and uses hundreds of the cell’s proteins to do so, making identification of those proteins key to thwarting the bacteria.

The HAPTIP method involves labeling the salmonella bacteria with a diazirine group, a chemical group that creates covalent bonds between Salmonella proteins and host cell proteins when an ultraviolet light is shined on the cell. A chemical probe enriches all the crosslinked proteins and isolates them from the other cell extracts. Scientists can then use mass spectrometry to identify the proteins.

One of the method’s strengths is that it can work at any point after salmonella has been introduced to the healthy cell. In their findings, the scientists tested the method at 15 minutes, one hour and six hours after salmonella infected a cell and identified more than 400 proteins interacting with the salmonella bacteria.

“You can design any time point based on when you choose to shine the UV light on the cells,” Tao said. “By looking at which proteins are interacting with the bacteria at those different times, we can determine the method the bacteria are using to hijack the cell, which will differ as time passes.”

Developing strategies to treat foodborne illnesses that stem from bacteria like salmonella and E. coli could have significant impact globally. The World Health Organization estimates there are 600 million global cases of foodborne illnesses each year resulting in 420,000 deaths.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, as well as the Natural Science Foundation of China, funded this research.

Objectivity in Sorting Embryos

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:35 GMT

In a cooperative study, researchers in human and livestock reproduction at Texas Tech University have demonstrated the potential for a new technique for evaluating viability of embryos used in embryo-transfer procedures.

The research report is published in the journal Human Reproduction .

The technique could help facilitate a higher success rate in using single embryo transfer (SET) by providing a more quantitative measure of viability.

Traditionally, the researchers note, embryo quality has been based solely on embryo morphology or morphology coupled with expected growth rates, with considerable variability in selection criteria for a “normal” embryo.

The researchers set out to determine whether observed differences in estimated weight within a cohort could be used to select high-quality embryos for transplant. In their initial studies, the team conducted experiments to determine whether estimated zygote weights could:

Distinguish viable from nonviable embryos.
Predict future development.
Demonstrate that the technique did not negatively impact growth rates compared with a control population.

The Texas Tech group developed a test that estimates the weight of an embryo based on specific gravity. They found that highly buoyant embryos with long descent times fail to develop at a significantly higher rate compared with the rest of the cohort. Their results, along with findings from earlier research suggests differences in embryo buoyancy and viability are associated with a large incorporation of lipids into the embryo cytoplasm, changes in the embryonic cytoplasm, chromosomal anomalies and differences in membrane integrity and the ability of individual cells to maintain osmoregulation.

Read the full report from Human Reproduction .

For more about advanced reproductive technologies in cattle, see these articles from BovineVetOnline:

Edwin Robertson Beginning Embryo Transfer Seminar

Uterine Glands Vital for Embryo Growth, Pregnancies

Oocyte Development During Negative Energy Balance

VEA Accelerates Innovation in Animal Health.

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:09:55 GMT

Season 4 of The IDEA Competition is now accepting applications from veterinary student innovators through July 15^th, 2019 with an opportunity to win a share of $17,500 in prize money. The year-long competition will culminate in the Season 4 Live Finals at SAVMA 2020 hosted by Cornell University. Applications are available online .

The IDEA is a veterinary student innovation competition intended to spark the entrepreneurial spirit and to stimulate and develop creative ideas from young veterinary problem solvers. The IDEA is hosted by the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy (VEA) in collaboration with VetPrep and in partnership with Merck Animal Health and the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA).

“Our mission is to have the largest positive impact on improving the delivery of veterinary healthcare by building the capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation from within the profession,” says Dr. Rob Trimble, Director of the VEA. “Students are incredibly creative and often have transformative ideas about the future of veterinary medicine. Yet many lack the confidence, resources, education, and mentorship that’s needed to turn those ideas into reality. The VEA provides students with these resources; our work with VetPrep and the IDEA competition reflect our efforts to achieve this mission. It’s an opportunity to provide the type of guidance I wish was available when I was a student.”

In The IDEA Season 3, over forty-three student teams from across North America, the U.K., and New Zealand entered the competition. The semi-finalists worked with Dr. Aaron Massecar, Assistant Director of Colorado State University’s Translational Medicine Institute, to take the first steps on their entrepreneurial journey.

“It’s amazing to work with these students,” says Dr. Massecar. “Despite how busy they are with their classes and training, they not only have time to devote to their area of passion, but most of them say that their grades actually improve because they have this creative outlet. Being around such brilliant people who are making the profession better is why I continue to be involved with the IDEA competition.”

Last year’s $10,000 grand prize was presented to Texas A&M’s Brianna Boyle and Stephanie Young for SkyPaws, a wireless pet monitoring device. Rachel Hilliard, representing the Cornell ParaSIGHT team, received the $5,000 second-place prize for their real-time parasite identification smartphone app. The $2,500 third-place prize went to Cornell’s Jon Lou and Kirk Bradtmiller for their BigFoot pressure bag pump attachment, a cost-effective solution to surgical irrigation. Cash prizes were awarded in partnership with Dr. Linda Lord from Merck Animal Health. Thanks to her commitment to the next generation of veterinary practitioners, these innovators were able to receive funding to support the ongoing development of their ideas.

Learn more at www.vea.vet .

FDA Reschedules Webinar on Genome Editing in Animals

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:09:34 GMT

On April 25, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), with participation from the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), will hold a public webinar about genome editing in animals, an innovative and rapidly evolving technology that offers significant public health benefits. This webinar is rescheduled from the original date of December 3, 2018.

While the webinar is open to the public, the content will be focused on information for those using genome editing to develop animals with genomic alterations. In the future, CVM intends to provide opportunities for other stakeholders, such as animal producers and farmers, who may be interested in raising genome-edited animals.

The webinar will focus primarily on current scientific evidence, promising uses of this technology in animals, and the potential risks. It will also provide information about CVM’s flexible, risk-based approach to the regulation of intentional genomic alterations (IGAs) in animals, including alterations made with genome editing, and how, if needed, to navigate FDA approval requirements for IGAs that are products of this technology. It will also seek to address common questions associated with FDA oversight. The final portion of the webinar will be dedicated to answering stakeholder-submitted questions.

This webinar is an initial step in the FDA’s public communication strategy to help innovators understand FDA regulation and the agency’s commitment to safe and responsible innovation.

This webinar will not cover genome editing of plants for use in human and/or animal food.

Registration Information

The webinar is open to the public, but advance registration is required to participate in the live-cast webinar. To register, please visit CVM Public Webinar: Genome Editing in Animals – April 25, 2019, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET .

Participants are encouraged to submit questions prior to the webinar during the registration process. Questions may also be submitted during the webinar.

A recording of the webinar will be available on the FDA website within 30 days after the event date.

*NOTE for those who already registered for the originally scheduled webinar on Dec. 3, 2018: you will need to re-register to participate in the April 25, 2019 webinar.

Additional Information

CVM Public Webinar about Genome Editing in Animals

CVM Public Webinar Registration Link

FDA’s Regulation of Plant and Animal Biotechnology Products

FDA’s Plant and Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan

CVM Update: FDA Announces Plant and Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Anna Abram on the FDA’s new plan to advance plant, animal biotechnology innovation

Leverage Resources in Ag Research

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:09:29 GMT

As public investments into agricultural research continue to shrink, the research community will need to become more efficient at partnering and sharing data across disciplines. That message comes through in a new report from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) titled “Enabling Open-source Data Networks in Public Agricultural Research.”

According to the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, the United States has been second to China in total public agricultural research funding since 2008, and in 2013, China’s spending on public agricultural R&D became nearly double that of the United States.
This week, the Council for Agriculture Science and Technology (CAST) issued a paper outlining the need for better data sharing and accessibility to enable creative and efficient application of research results. The authors note that while researchers have generated vast pools of data, the lack of an effective infrastructure for sharing and accessibility create barriers for making better decisions in agriculture.

A data-sharing infrastructure that includes pooling datasets and computational power could more-efficiently extend sparse data resources, facilitate new discovery, derive better answers and decision making, lower the barrier of entry, and ensure scientific reproducibility to protect the country’s sustainable competitiveness.

The authors list these key attributes for data sharing:

All data are collected a priori anticipating reuse and in accordance with FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable).
Data synthesized in journal articles are published with and referenced in the article.
All (unpublished and published) project data are FAIR, residing in either disciplinary or institutional repositories and/or in a federal “knowledgebase.”
A newly created federal knowledgebase provides repository function with expert services to enhance data collections and their reuse.
Dedicated knowledgebase experts collaborate with research teams and stakeholders to develop high-value data products including fusions from disparate repositories and knowledge bases, such as merging weather, soil, and agronomic data streams.
Stakeholders in the data value chain (extension specialists, entrepreneurs, farmers, etc.) access knowledge from journals and data from the knowledgebase for innovation and new knowledge creation.

Read the full report from CAST .

For more on CAST reports regarding advancement of scientific information, see these articles on BovineVetOnline:

CAST: Excessive Barriers Stifle Biotech Progress

CAST Report Addresses Progress, Future Needs in Animal Welfare

Gene Editing: Potential and Perceptions