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1. Give 'em enough rope: Iowa State University veterinarians find an easier way to collect diagnostic samples from pigs
Iowa State Univ. News
June 21, 2016
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University veterinarians are refining a method of collecting diagnostic samples from swine that both pigs and producers are happy about - and all it requires is a little rope.
Jeff Zimmerman, a professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, said taking individual blood samples from pigs to monitor infections imposes costs and time constraints on veterinarians and pork producers.
"The pigs aren't happy about collecting blood samples, and neither are the people," Zimmerman said.
He and some of his ISU colleagues began their experiments to find an easier means of collecting samples by hanging ropes in pens of pigs. The pigs enthusiastically chewed on the rope, leaving an oral fluid sample in the process.
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2. New company aims to streamline VFD process
By eVFD Solutions
Bovine Veterinarian
June 21, 2016
Veterinarians have enough on their plates. And with the implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) January 2017, their workload will only increase. But a new tool just might pick up some slack, and meet practitioners where they are - whether that's the office, truck, feedlot pens or pasture.
Veterinarians are able to send electronic veterinary feed directives from their desktop, tablet, or other mobile device using the simple interface provided by eVFD Solutions.
Founder/Director Lauren Urbanczyk says she worked with programmers to develop the tool because she believed there was a great need for a service that would take the burden off of the veterinarian. She says the greatest advantage eVFD Solutions offers is its flexibility.
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3. Protecting your backyard flock from disease through biosecurity [NC]
By Margaret Bell Ross - Contributing columnist
The Sampson Independent
June 21, 2016
One of the tips I give my poultry producers most often is to "just watch your birds." You can learn so much about your flock, their health, and their behaviors simply by watching them for a few minutes every day. You can quickly notice if there is a sick bird, or if you may have a bigger problem in your flock such as disease. Oftentimes, it can be expensive to find out what's running through your flock if you have a problem, so it's a great idea to learn some clinical signs of disease while "watching your birds" to recognize and diagnose problems in your flock.
Chickens can show different types of symptoms when they are sick. They can exhibit disease systems that correlate with their body such as: swelling or discolored combs and wattles, cloudy and draining eyes, discharge from the nasal passages, drooping wings, discolored feet and legs, or scales and physical injuries to the feet and legs.
Other symptoms can be found in the bird's behavior. Do they have a slow or difficult walk or gate? Are they eating normally as well as drinking plenty of water? You can also watch their activity level. You want chickens to "do chicken things." Do you notice any coughing or sneezing in your flock? Are they having difficulty breathing, or are they panting or gasping for air? Do you notice a color, frequency, or consistency change in their feces, as well as the presence of blood or mucus?
If you suspect you have disease in your flock, have multiple birds die, or are unsure of the cause of a bird's death, the best way to confirm what is going on is to immediately send the deceased bird to the Rollins Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that is a part of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in Raleigh, NC. Their website is http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/ncvdl/ and their phone number is 919.733.3986.
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4. NOTICE: May 2016 Monthly Scrapie Report is Available
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
June 21, 2016
The monthly report for the National Scrapie Eradication Program for May 2016 is now available. The monthly reports are available in both PowerPoint and PDF formats.
PowerPoint Monthly Report
Highlights of the May 2016 Report
No new positive sheep cases were reported in May 2016.
No positive goat cases have been reported in FY 2016.
No new infected or source flocks were designated in May 2016. As of May 31, three source and two infected flocks have been designated in FY 2016.
Announcement
The Scrapie Free Flock Certification Program (SFCP) standards were updated May 2016. A copy of the standards can be downloaded from APHIS' SFCP Web page. [http://tinyurl.com/j3ccxvg ]
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5. Organic Industry Fights For Better Animal Welfare
By Colin O'Neil, Agriculture Policy Director
Environmental Working Group News Release
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Great news! The organic industry is fighting to strengthen its animal welfare standards to ensure the health and well-being of livestock and poultry throughout their lives.
As written, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposed rule would strengthen the existing animal welfare regulations for organic poultry, cattle and pigs by adding new requirements for an animal's living conditions, transportation and slaughter. It would also establish minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for organic poultry.
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6. Canada Introduces New Equine Biosecurity Standards
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
June 21, 2016
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Equine Canada, and its equine sector organizations, has developed a National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity Standard for the Equine Sector.
This new guidance document can be used by horse owners and custodians as a cost-effective way to limit the risk of a disease outbreak on farms and other facilities where horses are kept.
Funding to develop this standard has been provided under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Policy Framework. It can be adopted in its entirety or can supplement existing on-farm biosecurity programs as it provides:
Guidance on effective biosecurity practices to minimize the transmission of diseases;
Ways to reduce the frequency, scope, and impact of disease outbreaks; and
Multiple methods to enhance horse health, welfare, and productivity.
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USAHA News Alert Summaries is a service provided to its members as a timely, up-to-date source of news affecting animal health and related subjects, intended for personal use by USAHA members. Information in these articles does not necessarily represent the views or positions of USAHA.
Sources of articles are state, national and international media outlets, press releases, and direct from organizations or agencies. Each article includes direct citation and link. Comments, questions or concerns about the information included in each article should be directed to the source in addition to USAHA. While USAHA strives for accuracy in the information it shares, the News Alert Summaries should be treated as a tool that provides a snapshot of information being reported regarding animal health and related subjects.
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