Weekly livestock news: October 3, 2022

Neogen launches Encompass data management platform

Neogen has launched the Encompass data management platform, meant to help customers of the company’s Igenity tool gain greater insight into their cattles’ genomic data. The company partnered with iYOTAH Solutions to allow the data to be combined with other herd management software. Encompass is part of a larger “data environment” for producers from iYOTAH’s nTELL platform, according to the announcement.

Researchers discover longhorned tick in northern Missouri

Researchers at the University of Missouri say they’ve discovered the longhorned tick for the first time in the north of the state. The tick, originally found in eastern Russia and the Australasian region, was found in southern Missouri last year. Infestation of the longhorned tick can lead to possible transmission of bovine theileriosis, a disease that kills red blood cells in cows. The researchers say the new discovery could lead to significant loss in weight gain for cattle, though the threat for now remains low. They say the discovery of the tick in the state increases the need for more vigilance about ticks in general.

Anthrax confirmed in South Dakota cattle deaths

Anthrax has been confirmed in South Dakota livestock for the first time this year, after several unvaccinated cattle died in Meade County, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports. Anthrax can be economically devastating for the livestock industry because it can kill many animals very quickly. “One of the best things that a rancher can be doing is working with their veterinarian,” said state veterinarian Beth Thompson. “There are vaccines out there that we highly recommend prior to livestock going out to pasture.”

Smithfield agrees to pay $75 million in pork price-fixing settlement

Smithfield Foods has agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit by consumers who accused the meat producer and several competitors of conspiring to inflate prices in the pork market by limiting supply, Reuters reports. A preliminary settlement in the antitrust case was filed last week with the federal court in Minneapolis and awaits approval by U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, who earlier in September approved a similar $20 million settlement between consumers and JBS. Smithfield spokesperson Jim Monroe said the company denied liability in agreeing to settle, adding that the agreement reduces the distraction, risk and cost of continuing litigation.

USDA plans rule to protect livestock farmers from company retaliation

USDA is proposing a new rule to prevent meat companies from retaliating against livestock and poultry farmers who speak out against practices such as price-fixing, the agency said last week. The rule would revise regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act. It would prohibit meat companies from retaliating against farmers and ranchers who take part in “lawful communications” and whistle blowing on price-fixing or who participate in associations. Officials also said USDA would work with state attorneys general to investigate anticompetitive practices in the agriculture sector that contribute to inflation. The actions aim to increase competition in the meat industry, Reuters reports.

Low-cost thermal imaging devices show promise detecting dairy cattle lameness: study

Low-cost thermal imaging devices could be as effective at detecting dairy cattle lameness as diagnostics up to 50 times more expensive, according to a recent study by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College. The research team compared thermal images of 83 cows’ hind feet using both high- and low-cost devices. Their analysis found very little difference in the performance and quality of the devices, indicating the low-cost ones—which in this case cost 2% of the more expensive ones—are a viable solution to aid early lameness diagnosis, potentially allowing more farmers to detect the issue and prevent it from escalating. The more expensive devices can cost as much as 20,000 pounds, which, along with their fragility, has limited their use in farm settings. Farmers Guide reports.