|
* * * * * * * * * *
1. Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer at Ponca [AR- 2nd case]
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Press Release
March 9, 2016
LITTLE ROCK - A white-tailed deer in Ponca recently tested positive for chronic wasting disease, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The disease is fatal to deer and elk.
The positive CWD test from a deer comes on the heels of an elk near Pruitt, about 12 miles east of Ponca, that was confirmed to have the disease Feb. 23. Both areas are in northern Newton County.
The AGFC took tissue samples from the 2�-year-old female deer, which was found dead. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the test today.
The 2�-year-old female elk was killed by a hunter Oct. 6 on the Buffalo National River near Pruitt during elk hunting season. It was the first animal in Arkansas confirmed to have CWD. The disease was confirmed on Feb. 23. The elk was tested by the same labs that confirmed CWD in the deer from Ponca.
To determine the prevalence and distribution of the disease among deer, the AGFC will begin taking samples Monday within a capsule-shaped area ranging from 5 miles west of Ponca to 5 miles east of Pruitt, and 5 miles across.
"We need to sample 300 deer to determine the prevalence and the spatial distribution of CWD in the population with 95 percent confidence," said Dick Baxter, an assistant chief in the Wildlife Management Division.
Full text:
********
|
|
2. Quarantine Lifted at Sunland Park Racetrack
New Mexico Livestock Board News Release
March 9, 2016
Quarantine has been lifted at Sunland Racetrack. Movement of horses will be allowed on and off the track. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the New Mexico Livestock Board
Number of horses diagnosed positive for the EHV-1 virus during outbreak: 73 in New Mexico and 2 in Texas.
Number of exposed barns remaining: 0
Facilities within the quarantine perimeter: 0
See full press release:
********
|
|
3. FDA issues guidance on feed safety
By John Maday, Editor
Bovine Veterinarian
March 9, 2016
Livestock feed contaminated with mycotoxins, pesticides, excessive minerals or other toxins can present a hazard to animals or to people who consume meat, milk or eggs from exposed animals. Aiming to help veterinarians, nutritionists and producers avoid those consequences, the FDA this week released its Guidance for Industry (GFI) 203, titled "Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed Maintained and Fed On-Farm."
[ See: http://tinyurl.com/jswfgbk ]
As with other FDA guidance documents, GFI 203 does not create any new regulations regarding feed safety, but provides recommendations based on FDA's current thinking on how to avoid unacceptable levels of feed contaminants on the farm.
FDA defines feed contaminants as any biological, chemical, or physical agent that, if present in feed, has the potential to cause illness or injury to animals or humans. Unacceptable feed risk occurs when the level of a contaminant in feed is reasonably likely to cause illness or injury in animals or humans.
Full text:
********
|
|
4. Plans Move Forward for Future Vet School at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
By Veronica Dietrich
MyHighPlains.com
March 8, 2016
AMARILLO -- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is continuing its plans on the development of a vet school in Amarillo.
Texas Tech University System Chancellor Robert Duncan says, "It's never been an idea. We've always approached it as a vision."
Duncan, Congressman Mac Thornberry, and several others met to talk plans about making that vision one step closer to a reality.
Duncan says, "We've visited with other vet schools. We've worked with negotiating with getting consultants onboard. We've been working on our financial plan, As well as developing plans for an appropriation request in 2017."
Our area is the nation's beef capital for food animal production, home of the American Quarter Horse Association, several feed yards, and many large animals.
Duncan says there is a big need for large animal vets in our area.
********
|
|
5. GVL Launches New HorseSYNC App for Users
By Lily Scott
GlobalVetLINK News Release
March 9, 2016
GVL� announced today the launch of the HorseSYNC™ mobile app. The free app enables veterinarian users to upload horse photos and information to their accounts for digital health certificates and EIA (Coggins) test certificates.
"We developed the HorseSYNC app so GVL users would have a more efficient method of getting horse photos and information into their accounts," explained Kaylen Henry, Product Manager at GlobalVetLINK. "Our goal is to make using our systems as easy as possible, and this app is really helpful for customers."
GVL HorseSYNC allows veterinarians to collect photos and horse information such as age, breed, gender and color. Then, when the user's mobile device connects to the internet, HorseSYNC uploads that data to their account for use in HealthLINK� powered by SmartEngine™ (Digital Certificates of Veterinary Inspection) and EquusLINK (Digital EIA/Coggins Certificates).
Full text:
********
|
|
6. White-nose syndrome confirmed in Minnesota bats [edited]
Fox9.com
March 9, 2016
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - White-nose syndrome, a disease that is usually fatal to bats, has been confirmed at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park in northeastern Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, several hundred dead bats were found near the main entrance to the mine in January. Bats that were sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in February confirmed the infection of white-nose syndrome.
White-nose syndrome was first discovered in North America in 2007 in eastern New York. The disease has since spread to 27 states and 5 Canadian provinces, killing more than 5.7 million bats.
The fungus that causes the white-nose syndrome was discovered at Soudan Underground Mine and at Mystery Cave State Park in southeastern Minnesota in 2013.
"We've been following the recommended procedures to try to protect the bats from white-nose syndrome," said Jim Essig, park manager at Soudan Mine. "Now that it's here, we will continue to do everything we can at our parks to prevent human transport of fungal spores to other sites."
********
|
|
7. Cargill says to cut antibiotic use in cattle by 20 percent
By Reuters
Drovers CattleNetwork.com
March 9, 2016
Cargill Inc., a top U.S. meat processor, is trimming the use of antibiotics in its cattle supply amid concerns among some doctors and consumers about risks to humans from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The company on Feb. 26 started eliminating 20 percent of antibiotics deemed important for human medicine and farm animals from its four feed yards in Texas, Kansas and Colorado, according to the company. It is making the same reductions at four feed yards operated by Friona Industries, which supplies Cargill with cattle.
The changes affect about 1.2 million cattle annually, which represents about 18 percent of the cattle Cargill processes, according to the company.
Cargill considered "customer and consumer desires to help ensure the long-term medical effectiveness of antibiotics for both people and animals," said John Keating, president of Cargill's beef business.
Full text:
********
|
|
