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1. KSU research team discovers novel pestivirus affecting swine
Source: Kansas State University
National Hog Farmer
December 2, 2015
Researchers at Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have discovered a virus that's been a real pest for pigs and hope the diagnostic tests they've developed to detect the virus are a step toward understanding the disease.
The researchers identified the virus as a member of the aptly name pestivirus family. A sample submitted to the lab by a veterinarian in North Carolina came from a swine herd where uncontrollable shaking, or intention tremors, was observed and resulted in the death of nearly 700 pigs.
Virus symptoms included tremors, says Benjamin Hause, a clinical assistant professor in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine.
"The veterinarian described the tremors as similar to those seen with Parkinson's disease in humans - but more severe," Hause says. "A recent report described pigs born with congenital tremors caused by a novel pestivirus similar to one we identified this past summer, but this current situation involved older pigs with disease onset from 5 to 14 weeks of age. This has a significant economic impact, especially in a situation like this where 700 animals had died."
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2. Injection biosecurity: Rethink the routine
By Mark Thomas, DVM, DA BVP
Bovine Veterinarian
December 2, 2015
Bovine leukosis virus (BLV) is a very common disease, but many people do not believe it is of economic importance for commercial dairies. Some estimates put prevalence at >40% with some herds exceeding 80%.
Although some dairy farms have standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place to control BLV, the norm for most modern operations is to inject multiple cows with a single needle. This needle is often inserted into a multiple-dose vial many times, and is usually changed only after it becomes dull.
With the recent increased incidence of other blood-borne pathogens in cattle populations, such as Anaplasmosis, we should reconsider our biosecurity practices with injections.
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3. Ohio State University Educating Producers on Disposing of Animals
RFDTV.com
December 1, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn -- Ohio's poultry industry may have avoided the avian influenza outbreak, but Ohio State University wants to help educate producers on disposing of infected birds. There are four ways to dispose of large numbers of dead animals including incinerations, onsite burial, land filling and composting.
Experts say onsite composting is the best option for Ohio producers, but composting a large number of birds requires a large amount of carbon-rich amendment material. That's why OSU researchers developed a spreadsheet and online map with information on this process.
For more information please visit oardc.ohio-state.edu.
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4. CDC: Nearly 200 sickened in summer salmonella outbreak linked to Kapowsin Meats
By Q13 FOX News Staff and Associated Press
Q13 Fox
December 2, 2015
SEATTLE (AP) - Scientists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have completed their investigation of a salmonella outbreak related to pork in Washington state this past summer.
A total of 183 people were infected with salmonella, as of Nov. 23. Thirty were hospitalized but no deaths were reported.
Health officials determined the likely source of the outbreak was pork produced by Kapowsin Meats, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Graham, Washington, company recalled more than 500,000 pounds of pork products, from whole pigs to processed meat.
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5. Ballot dispute brewing over cage-free eggs and ban on calf confinement [MA]
By Shira Schoenberg
MassLive.com
December 2, 2015
Where do your eggs come from?
A fresh dispute is brewing between animal rights and agriculture over a ballot initiative that would prohibit the confinement of pigs, calves and chickens, and prohibit the sale of meat and eggs in Massachusetts from animals that have been confined.
"This initiative really speaks to some very basic standards in terms of animals being able to stand up, lie down, turn around," said Mary Nee, president of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. "This is pretty fundamental."
But Richard Bonanno, president of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, said the main impact will be to drive up food prices for Massachusetts shoppers. "This isn't going to affect the farms of Massachusetts. This is going to affect the public and the cost of food," Bonanno said.
Supporters of the ballot initiative announced Wednesday that they had collected 133,000 signatures, apparently enough to get a question on the 2016 ballot. The Massachusetts initiative would go further than any similar law in the country.
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6. The Climate-Change Issue Global Leaders Aren't Talking About
Deena Shanker, Quartz
National Journal
December 2, 2015
This week, as world leaders meet to hammer out a deal to reduce the greenhouses gases (GHGs) responsible for warming our planet, a major source of those gases is unlikely to make a significant appearance onto the agenda: meat.
In 2006, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization published the report Livestock's Long Shadow, which blames the livestock sector for 18 percent of GHG emissions-a higher share, it said, than transportation. A 2009 report by environmental experts from other U.N. agencies-the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation-included factors left out or under�counted in 2006, like cattle respiration and "over�looked land use," and concluded that at least 51 percent of man-made GHGs come from livestock industries.
While figures on livestock's contribution to climate change vary, they all reach the same basic conclusion: Meat is inextricably linked to our warming planet. But as countries file their climate-change pledges, experts predict meat will not be on the GHG chopping block.
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7. USDA Announces 2016 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
December 2, 2015
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2015 - The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the 92nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va. on Feb. 25-26, 2016. The theme for this year's forum is "Transforming Agriculture: Blending Technology and Tradition."
The challenges and opportunities for agriculture and rural America are changing. In 2015, American farmers persevered in the face of drought and an unprecedented animal disease outbreak. Demographics are also changing in rural America and across farm households. Meanwhile, technology is rapidly opening new applications for producers and throughout the marketing chain, and new markets are emerging for U.S. agricultural products. USDA continues to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity and provide support for America's farming families, and that mission will form the basis for the 92nd Agricultural Outlook Forum.
The Plenary panel, "Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture," will feature remarks from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. Thirty concurrent track sessions supporting this theme include the Agriculture Talent Pipeline, Bioproducts, Commodities, Land & Tenure Transition, New Markets, Organics, Risk Management, Scientific Advancement, and Trade, to Urban Agriculture.
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