Weekly livestock news: August 31, 2020

California wildfires threaten farmland

Approximately 770,000 acres burned recently in California’s fires, including farmland, Feedstuffs reports. According to a spokesperson for the California Farm Bureau Federation, the organization received reports of agricultural damage, although at the time the full extent of damage wasn’t yet known. “I have not heard of livestock being lost, though it may be a while before ranchers can return to burned areas to count their animals,” said the spokesperson, Dave Kranz. “At least half a dozen county fairgrounds in California have been mobilized as evacuation centers for livestock, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.” The New York Times reports on the effects of climate change and smoke damage on the San Joaquin Valley’s farmland.

USDA prepares for CFAP follow-up

USDA is preparing to announce a new version of its pandemic relief program in the coming weeks, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The program is planned to have at least $14 billion available. “We hope that that will be (announced) very shortly after Labor Day,” Perdue said. Roughly 90 commodities are eligible for payments under the current Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, he said, and lobsters will be added in the new version, which he called CFAP2. While farm groups have welcomed the aid, they’ve also criticized CFAP as too restrictive in the time frame it covered (winter and early spring) and unduly stringent with payments, Successful Farming reports.

Coronavirus not transmitted by food, scientific review shows

A scientific literature review has found that the new coronavirus can’t be spread by foodborne transmission. From April to August, the American Frozen Food Institute, in partnership with North Carolina State University researchers, conducted the review to understand the nature of survival and persistence of the virus in foods and on food contact surfaces and food packaging materials, and the potential for foodborne transmission. “Their work confirms that, although there is a slight chance for virus contamination, there is no evidence for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through consumption of food or in association with food packaging, and there have been no known cases of foodborne COVID-19,” Feedstuffs reports. The conclusion substantiates similar statements made by the CDC and other public health organizations.

China to probe labs, farms in crackdown on illegal African swine fever vaccines

China has begun a strict crackdown on the production and use of illegal African swine fever vaccines, the government announced, after anecdotal evidence of the widespread use of the products. There’s no cure or approved vaccine anywhere in the world, but China is close to approving the first vaccine. But illegally produced vaccines have circulated in the market for months and could complicate the introduction of an officially approved product, according to Reuters. Provincial authorities will carry out inspections of veterinary laboratories, drug producers and pig farmers for any evidence they could have developed or used an illegal vaccine.

Australian agency to market methane-reducing feed additive for cattle

Australia’s national science agency has formed a company to bring to market a methane-reducing animal feed additive for cattle, Feed Strategy reports. FutureFeed Pty. Ltd. will commercialize a feed additive made from seaweed. According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, research trials in Australia and the United States have shown the FutureFeed additive reduces methane emissions from cattle by more than 80%. “This is a game-changer—not only for livestock production, but also for our environment—with the potential to create an entirely new industry, while supporting jobs in the Australian agriculture sector,” said Karen Andrews, Australia’s minister for industry, science and technology.

Nationwide AI ag research network launched

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Science Foundation announced they’re establishing seven new artificial intelligence institutes across the country to accelerate agriculture research. The $140 million investment is the nation’s “most significant federal investment” in AI research and workforce development to date, the agencies said. “These future-focused centers of innovation will use the latest techniques from all corners of science, including molecular science, engineering and robotics, to seek solutions for myriad challenges facing agriculture, from crop improvement and animal welfare to labor shortages and farm safety,” said NIFA acting director Parag Chitnis.