Weekly livestock news: September 28, 2020

FDA approves ZoaShield 25% for use in certain poultry

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has approved Pharmasone’s ZoaShield 25%, the first generic version of zoalene Type A medicated article for the prevention and control of coccidiosis in broiler chickens and growing turkeys for the development of active immunity to coccidiosis in replacement chickens. ZoaShield 25% contains the same active ingredient (zoalene Type A medicated article) in the same concentrations and dosage form as the approved brand name drug product, Zoamix.

Decision on IPPE 2021 will be made by October 22

Organizers of the International Production & Processing Expo—the annual trade show for the poultry and egg, feed and meat industries held in Atlanta each January—said they’ll decide by October 22 whether they’ll host the 2021 event. “IPPE show management is working hard to provide an in-person trade show in January 2021 for attendees and exhibitors and is taking every measure to ensure a safe and successful show experience,” organizers said. They’ve been surveying attendees and exhibitors to gauge interest in attendance. Surveys last month showed most attendees plan to attend or want to attend a 2021 show. Organizers are now developing follow-up surveys to come to a final decision. Meat + Poultry reports.

USDA releases roadmap to control salmonella

USDA released a plan to decrease levels of salmonella, outlining science-based, data-driven programs and policies meant to promote innovation to reduce the bacteria in meat, poultry and egg products. Although findings from a recent analysis of Food Safety and Inspection Service data show there’s been an overall reduction in the occurrence of salmonella on meat and poultry products over the past 20 years, more work is necessary, the report says. “The food safety community did not meet the 2020 national public health goal for reduction of salmonella illnesses, and FSIS remains committed to working toward achieving the target set for 2030,” it said. Feedstuffs reports.

Oregon farmworkers face challenges from COVID and wildfires, survey shows

Few farmworkers in Oregon report getting tested for the coronavirus despite knowing infected people or being directly exposed to COVID-19, according to the COVID-19 Farmworker Study. The survey of 200 workers across the state found that when protective equipment is available, workers take necessary precautions and follow safety procedures at home and at work, Successful Farming reports. “The COVID-19 global pandemic, exacerbated by unprecedented wildfires in Oregon, has demonstrated that farmworkers deemed ‘essential,’ are on the climate crisis’s front lines,” said the study. The fires were “worsening already hazardous working conditions” for field workers, it said. The workers, many of whom are people of color who have experienced disproportionately high rates of infection, reported that cost and fear of losing their job “are significant barriers to accessing testing and care,” the report said.

Australian company uses seaweed to reduce methane emissions from cows

Cow burps account for more than 90% of the animals’ methane production, leading an Australian company to develop a possible solution. FutureFeed, a Queensland-based startup established by the country’s scientific research agency, is using a seaweed called asparagopsis in cows’ diets. The seaweed is pink-red and fernlike. Freeze-dried and fed to cows as a supplement, asparagopsis eliminated methane “below the detection limits of our instruments” in tests, said Michael Battaglia, a director of FutureFeed. The company attributes the seaweed’s effectiveness to a compound called bromoform, which stops microbes in the cows’ guts from producing the gas. CNN reports.

Researchers study cattle responses to horn flies

A University of Wyoming veterinarian is studying how horn flies target cows, Farm Progress reports. The flies cost the livestock industry billions of dollars in losses. Craig Calkins is studying whether shorter blood-clotting times of individual animals stymie flies’ attempts at biting; whether a thicker hide keeps flies away; and whether elevation and environmental conditions, like colder and wetter areas, affect fly parasitism. “They may all look similar as far as you and I can tell, but there will be some cows infested more than others,” said UW Extension range specialist Derek Scasta. “We’re trying to identify the traits those individual animals have that make them more or less susceptible to parasitism.”