|
* * * * * * * * * *
1. Iowa bird flu case increase to 52 in 14 counties
KCCI.com
May 14, 2015
DES MOINES, Iowa -Two more Iowa farms have tested positive for bird flu.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture says two northwest Iowa farms raising pullets -- young chickens being raised to eventually lay eggs -- likely have the virus.
No estimate of numbers was immediately released for a farm in Sioux County, the 12th case in that county and one in Plymouth County, the first case there.
Iowa has 52 bird flu cases in 14 counties. Nearly 25 million chickens and 970,000 turkeys will die.
South Dakota announced Thursday its first case, an egg farm with 1.3 million chickens in the eastern part of the state.
Nebraska officials confirmed their second case in a chicken flock and Minnesota reported two new cases.
Source:
http://www.kcci.com/news/iowa-bird-flu-case-increase-to-52-in-14-counties/33028204
********
|
|
2. Nebraska governor declares state of emergency in bird flu outbreak
Reuters
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
May 14, 2015
CHICAGO -- Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a state of emergency declaration on Thursday, after federal agriculture officials confirmed a second farm site had tested positive for the rapidly spreading avian flu virus, according to state officials.
The declaration follows earlier, and similar, actions by governors in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, whose states have all been hard hit by the bird flu outbreak that had impacted more than 33 million birds across the United States.
Ricketts' move opens the door to release emergency funds and other aid to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and other state agencies that are trying to contain the bird flu outbreak, which has now affected more than 3.5 million egg-laying hens in Nebraska.
Meanwhile, South Dakota reported its first case of bird flu at an egg-laying chicken farm that holds 1.3 million of the birds.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/lyq89cy
********
|
|
3. Survey: Move to Harmonize Interstate Regulations, Testing for Trichomoniasis
TheCattleSite.com
May 14, 2015
US - A recent survey shows more states are moving toward harmonizing interstate regulations and approved testing for trichomoniasis.
Life TechnologiesIn late 2014, the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) endorsed three standard components of interstate regulations and testing for trichomoniasis (trich):
Virgin bulls up to 18 months of age will be exempt from trich testing requirements.
A negative trich test is valid for 60 days after collection if the bull is held separate from females.
A single, negative DNA amplification-based test of samples collected by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Category II Accredited Veterinarian certified by the state of origin to collect trich samples for interstate movement.
In the first quarter of 2015, Marty Zaluski, D.V.M., state veterinarian for the Montana Department of Livestock, conducted a survey to determine whether states are moving toward meeting trich standards endorsed by USAHA. Thermo Fisher Scientific, a company with deep expertise in animal diagnostics, held a question-and-answer session with Zaluski to discuss results of the recent survey and his views on the importance of standardizing trich regulations and testing across the country.
[Q&A section follows.]
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/lgbx3wr
********
|
|
4. Dairy Focus: Biosecurity is everyone's business
By J.W. Schroeder, NDSU Extension
DairyHerd.com
May 12, 2015
The recent outbreak of avian influenza among poultry operations in the Midwest has had a devastating impact on the birds and the families who produce and care for them.
As you listen to the news, you soon realize that even the best veterinary medical reconnaissance experts in the world are uncertain of the exact cause of the spread. While much is known about the disease, scientists are discovering transmission nuances that are complicating the abatement and spread of this disease.
While you hear about the large commercial operations that are being depopulated for the sake of protecting the industry, why, you ask, would a dairy specialist be writing about an unrelated species and a disease that is not known to spread from poultry to cattle?
It's because all of agriculture is vulnerable, crops and livestock alike, when we get lazy about adhering to biosecurity measures or worse, when the potential exists for perpetrators of agro-terrorism deciding to attack your food safety.
So today's message is: Biosecurity is everyone's business, whether or not you live on a farm. Just visiting a farm has the potential to make anyone a carrier for the transmission of a disease.
Full text:
http://www.dairyherd.com/news/industry/dairy-focus-biosecurity-everyone%E2%80%99s-business
********
|
|
5. Meat, beef groups agree on beef traceability system to expand trade
FarmFutures.com
May 13, 2015
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the North American Meat Export Federation last week issued a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack indicating intentions to implement a beef traceability system for exports to China.
The system will provide the basis for the U.S. government to certify animals that meet China's requirement for traceability from farm to birth, and will roll in existing animal ID programs.
The program must be voluntary for the entire beef industry to agree to such a program, with the understanding that only beef from cattle that are covered by the system will be certified for export to China.
The groups said the system also should be auditable and "anticipate that it will include current and future programs that could be developed and managed by private companies under verification programs like the Process Verified Program managed by the Agricultural Marketing System of the USDA."
Full text:
http://farmfutures.com/story-meat-beef-groups-agree-beef-traceability-system-expand-trade-0-127529
********
|
|
6. USDA Fosters Market Transparency in Grass Fed Lamb and Goat Industry
Posted by Ed Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
USDA Blog
May 13, 2015
USDA will release the National Monthly Grass Fed Lamb and Goat Meat report. This is the one of the first reports of its kind, filling a significant data gap for the industry and increasing transparency in the marketplace.
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, there are over five million head of sheep and lambs in the United States, and over 2.6 million head of goats. A growing trend is producing these animals using grass fed production systems, especially for small to mid-sized producers.
In response to the changing and widening marketplace, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service will begin releasing the National Monthly Grass Fed Lamb and Goat Meat report through their USDA Market News service today, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. This is one of the first reports of its kind, filling a significant data gap for the industry and increasing transparency in the marketplace.
It is estimated that half a million sheep each year are channeled into the nontraditional marketplace - such as ethnic and direct-to-consumer markets. Often these nontraditional markets offer premiums to farmers and ranchers over traditional marketing channels. Small to mid-sized producers and farmers, in particular, often use direct-to-consumer markets to get better prices for their products, while creating their own niche in the marketplace.
While there is an increase demand for these types of products, there is little public data available to farmers and ranchers. With this new market report and improved access to information, USDA aims to assist farmers and ranchers who are considering converting to grass fed operations and those who are already producing grass fed lamb and goat products.
Full text:
http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/05/13/usda-fosters-market-transparency-in-grass-fed-lamb-and-goat-industry/
********
|
|
7. APHIS Administrator Announces Availability of Agency Investigative and Enforcement Data
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
From Kevin Shea, APHIS Administrator
May 14, 2015
Dear Stakeholders:
In service to U.S. agriculture and the American people, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces numerous laws and is committed to doing so effectively and transparently. I am pleased to tell you today about a new resource that makes frequently requested enforcement information readily and consistently available to the public.
APHIS' Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) unit makes possible our Agency's enforcement of 10 U.S. laws covering a broad range of issues. With roughly 140 employees stationed in locations across the United States, IES provides critical support to APHIS' four regulatory programs-Animal Care, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and Veterinary Services-as well as to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for its agricultural quarantine inspection (AQI) activities. IES conducts thorough investigations and works with program personnel to analyze evidence and determine appropriate enforcement actions informed by provisions in the governing statutes.
Now on IES' Web site, you will find summaries and data outlining enforcement actions for fiscal year (FY) 2014 and, as of mid-year, FY 2015, for the Agency as a whole, as well as for each of the Agency's programs and for AQI activities. We will update these numbers at the end of FY 2015 and biannually thereafter. The addition of the new enforcement performance metrics online will make frequently requested stakeholder information available to the public on the Agency's Web site. By highlighting and providing round-the-clock public access to the data, we are increasing transparency and being responsive to stakeholders' interests. We also believe that providing this type of enforcement data regularly and publicly will further serve to deter those who may consider violating APHIS-enforced statutes.
As Administrator of an Agency that is committed to listening to stakeholders and continually improving its services, I invite you to visit IES' Web site to review the newly available enforcement data and learn more about IES' important role in carrying out our Agency's mission.
Source:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/1045406
********
|
|
8. Farm to Table 2015: Chile, November 15-20, 2015
Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS), Univ. of Minnesota
May 14, 2015
About the Program
Participants will explore firsthand the leading exporting animal food production systems from farm-to-table in Chile.
Site visits along the food supply chain will be focused on production, international trade standards and emerging issues in food safety, animal and public health. Direct discussions with key government and private sector leaders and interactive multi-sectorial and cross-culture group activities will be designed to integrate knowledge and skills.
Food production systems will mainly include aquaculture (salmon production), beef (fresh meat and RTE products), and dairy (milk and cheese). Site visits will include primary production systems, processing plants and supermarkets. These production systems are considered key for exportation to the USA, the European Union, and/or other important markets.
Key Objectives
* Develop awareness, understanding and familiarity of food systems in exporting countries such as Chile, and recognize the components of the global food production and international trade.
* Contrast the similarities and differences among the food systems in Chile, the United States and other countries.
* Promote and catalyze collaborative group leadership through: network building opportunities and experiential and structured learning activities.
Full text, brochure and registration info links:
http://www.cahfs.umn.edu/programs/farm-to-table/home.html
********
|
|
