Weekly livestock and equine news: August 10, 2020

U.S. farm income may suffer due to coronavirus impact on livestock

Meatpackers are operating at high volume again following COVID-19 outbreaks at their plants, but the pandemic’s effects could be felt for the rest of the year, said the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. “Farm revenues could still decline in 2020 due to disruptions at meatpacking plants, which forced some producers to depopulate herds,” said the report. “Moving forward, modified operations and revised processes related to COVID-19 at packing plants may continue to put constraints on meat production,” the bank said. “In addition, higher retail prices, particularly in the midst of an economic downturn, could temporarily reduce aggregate meat consumption, further weighing on the outlook for producers and consumers of meat.” The FAPRI think tank has estimated an 8% decline in livestock revenue this year compared with last year, Successful Farming reports.

ASF spike occurs on Polish pig farms

Ten new outbreaks of African swine fever have been confirmed recently on farms in Poland, Feed Strategy reports. While some of the affected herds are small, two large farms—with approximately 1,900 and more than 2,600 pigs—have also been hit by ASF since July 22. According to the country’s chief veterinarian’s office, just over 5,800 pigs were involved in the latest cases. The outbreaks were in areas where previous cases had been confirmed among the wild boar population. Three of the outbreaks were linked.

Researchers identify compound to block PRRS virus

Researchers at the University of Connecticut have identified compounds that they say can effectively block porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from infecting pigs. The virus is the most economically damaging virus for global pork production, responsible for approximately $600 million in annual losses for American pig farmers. It doesn’t yet have a widely effective vaccine or cure, but this discovery could lead to a treatment, the researchers said. PRRS is highly contagious and affects both young and adult pigs. It causes a respiratory disease, usually affecting young pigs, and a reproductive form affecting pregnant sows, which leads to abortions, stillbirth and infertility. The virus also severely weakens the pig’s immune system, making it more susceptible to other infections.

Avian flu virus adaptability poses threat to poultry, research shows

Commercial poultry are at risk of contracting avian influenza strains from migrating flocks, making protection important, according to the U.K.-based Roslin Institute. New research shows highly pathogenic avian flu viruses—which are likely to cause deadly disease in chickens—can be transmitted from migrating wild bird populations to domestic flocks and back again, the institute said in an announcement. These viruses can easily exchange genetic material with other low-pathogenic, less harmful viruses during migration, raising the likelihood of serious outbreaks in domesticated poultry and wild birds, the researchers found.

Merck completes acquisitions of Vecoxan and IdentiGEN

Merck announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of the worldwide rights to Vecoxan (diclazuril), an oral suspension for the prevention of coccidiosis in calves and lambs, from Elanco Animal Helath. Vecoxan is efficacious, in calves, against coccidiosis caused by Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii, and, in lambs, against the prevention of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria crandallis and Eimeria ovinoidalis, according to the announcement. Merck also announced the completion of its acquisition of IdentiGEN, a maker of DNA-based animal traceability solutions for livestock and aquaculture, from MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland. According to the announcement, IdentiGEN’s technology combines each species’ unique DNA and data analytics to provide an evidence-based animal traceability solution, called DNA TraceBack, to accurately and precisely trace beef, seafood, pork and poultry that is verifiable from farm to table.

Three NY horses euthanized due to EEE

Officials at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets have confirmed three horses in Jefferson County with Eastern equine encephalitis. The horses were unvaccinated, and all three were euthanized. Their symptoms included ataxia (loss of control of bodily movements), depression, recumbency (down and unable to rise), loss of appetite and falling, among other things.