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1. Canadian gift will help fund Avian Influenza research
KMALand.com
June 15, 2015
Ames --Egg Farmers of Canada has committed $500,000 for avian influenza research to be awarded to and administered by the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University.
Egg Farmers of Canada is the national not-for-profit organization that represents Canada's more than 1,000 egg farms. Given the significant impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza is having on the entire North American industry, the organization contacted the Egg Industry Center after the center published a call for pre-proposals to fund research needed to answer questions surrounding the ongoing outbreak. The destructive disease has impacted millions of egg-laying hens. It has been found in 15 states and has affected parts of Canada in the past and two Canadian provinces in the last six months.
"We are pleased to partner with the Egg Industry Center to tackle this North American challenge head on," said Tim Lambert, chief executive officer of Egg Farmers of Canada. "We are confident that the world-class research emerging from the EIC, under the leadership of Dr. Hongwei Xin, will provide practical solutions for producers and ensure a safe and secure way forward for the entire industry."
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/nr7kwkt
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2. INFORM: Importing Shell/Table Eggs into United States
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 16, 2015
As a result of the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has received numerous inquiries regarding the requirements to import shell eggs and other egg products, void of the shell (i.e. liquid eggs, dried egg whites), into the United States.
The purpose of this notice is to provide information on APHIS requirements for the importation of shell eggs into the United States.
First it is important to note that other agencies also have jurisdiction over the importation of shell eggs such as, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5111614
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/109ce61
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3. Bird flu's cost to state of Iowa so far: $1.1 million
Outbreak's cost to producers much higher, officials say
Rod Boshart
The Gazette
June 15, 2015
DES MOINES - Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said Monday the Bird flu outbreak ranks as Iowa's worst animal health emergency and could cost federal and state agencies up to $300 million in the cleanup, disposal and disinfection process on top of the sizable
losses being incurred by producers.
"Animal-health wise, there is nothing that we've ever had like it," said Northey, who held out hope the spread is "winding down," since Iowa recently has reported fewer confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic flu that has led to the deaths and euthanizing of more than 32.7 million commercial layers and turkeys on 76 farms in 18 Iowa counties. All the infected birds in Iowa have been depopulated and humanely destroyed, he said.
Northey said hotter temperatures and decontamination efforts have slowed the outbreak, although state officials Monday said they were investigating a possible new case. He noted that Minnesota saw a resurge in cases after a brief lull, and nearly 2,300 federal and state response personnel remained at work Monday in the field assessing Iowa's situation and looking ahead to what might happen once fall weather returns along with migratory bird activity.
Full text:
http://thegazette.com/subject/news/bird-flus-cost-to-state-of-iowa-so-far-11-million-20150615
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4. Poultry movements continue to be limited in North Dakota
By: Agweek Staff Report
AgWeek.com
June 16, 2015
BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota's State Board of Animal Health has extended its halt on bird movement to shows, exhibitions and public sales at events where birds from different locations are intermingled.
"With new cases still being identified in the U.S., the state board is continuing this precaution to reduce the risk of avian influenza exposure to North Dakota birds," says State Veterinarian Susan Keller. "Many other states have enacted similar limits on bird movements."
This board action prohibits the specified poultry movements until further notice. BOAH is continuing to monitor and assess the disease threat, which will be reviewed again at their December meeting after most wild birds have completed their migration.
The action does not apply to approved private sales that meet North Dakota importation requirements.
Full text:
http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/26840/
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5. Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory aids in bovine trade with Ecuador
By Emily Wilkins
The Eagle
June 14, 2015
More than 150 cattle piled on a plane last month to become the first American bovines to step hooves in Ecuador in the past 12 years, ending a trade ban with help from the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
"It's an unusual shipment in terms of opening trade," said Bruce Akey, director of the lab. "To aid our clients to get back in a market like this is the significant part of it."
Ecuador, as well as many other countries in Southern and Central America, has remained closed to U.S. beef exports driven in part by a Mad Cow Disease outbreak in 2003.
In October of last year, the lab hosted six members of Ecuador's government. One of the meetings led to Ecuador's Minister of Agriculture Javier Ponce purchasing 167 beef and dairy cattle from Florida and Texas for $730,000.
While Ecuador had about 4.65 million cattle in 2011, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, American cattle are prized for their genetics, Akey said. American producers have spent years improving traits such as the taste of the beef and how quickly the cow grows, traits producers in Ecuador can use to improve their own stock.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/qylxvrk
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6. Preparing Animals for Hurricanes
By Jason P. Ott, Texas A&M University
The Record Star
June 16, 2015
With Tropical Strom Bill reaching the Texas Coast earlier in the week we are reminded of the importance of hurricane preparedness. For all coastal residence preparedness means protecting your family during and immediately after a disaster by making a family disaster plan and by creating a family disaster kit for your household. In addition to this, those with livestock and/or companion animals also need to have disaster plans for them as well. After all, the animal owner is ultimately responsible for their animal's welfare and in the case of companion animals are often considered part of the family.
Having an emergency supply kit for pets, as well as, yourself is important. Some of the things that should be included in your pet supply kit might include: ownership/health and vaccination records, medications, first aid supplies, pictures of the pet in case you are separated, sanitary items for properly handling pet waste. A supply of food and water that is sufficient to last for 3 days for you and your pet is also an essential part of preparedness supplies. Pet carriers/crates and leashes are also essential to help facilitate movement of your pet in the event evacuation becomes necessary.
Livestock owners should consider having similar supply kits ready. However, they might also include additional items such as electric fence supplies, flashlight, feed and water buckets, and extra tack ropes and halters. Well prepared livestock owners will ensure that all animals have current immunizations and that they are permanently identified. For horses maintaining a current coggins test is necessary.
If livestock is not permanently identified, at minimum owners can take pictures of the animal as proof of ownership. Waterproof luggage tag or cattle ear tags with owner information can be braided into horses' tails or manes. Small animal trimmers can also be used to clip owner's phone number on the necks of horses.
Owners of livestock need to have a plan in place to evacuate the livestock they own should it become necessary. Since not all livestock owners have a trailer or adequate capacity for all the livestock they own planning evacuation in critical. If you are relying on others to help you evacuate make sure those needs have been discussed. Animals should be evacuated no less than 72 hours before a storm makes land fall. Before getting on the road, trucks and trailers need to be inspected to insure that they are in good operating condition. Part of your evacuation plan also needs to include knowing in advance where you and your livestock will evacuate to. A list of livestock shelters is available by dialing 2-1-1.
Full text:
http://www.recordstar.com/recordstar/article_1f560b32-2171-5acd-b2e4-64dd77343f09.html
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7. Catfish Farmers of America urge for USDA inspection implementation
Posted by Kourtney Moncure
MississippiNewsNow.com
June 15, 2015
WASHINGTON, D. C (Mississippi News Now) - The Catfish Farmers of America recently met with members of the Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi congressional delegations to encourage transferring catfish inspection authority from the Food and Drug Administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"American consumers deserve quality inspection of the products they purchase," said Bari Cain, President of CFA.
USDA inspection will prevent consumers from being exposed to products that originate from countries who do not obey the same strict safety standards as we do.
"CFA supports USDA catfish inspections because we know that the Food and Drug Administration provides insufficient safeguards for the American consumer. By FDA's own admission, they inspect a shockingly low percentage of the seafood coming into the United States," continued Bari Cain.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/pm9gls5
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