Livestock – Equine News: July 15 2024
Organic dairy company expands in Pennsylvania
Kinderhook, New York-based Maple Hill Creamery, a grass-fed organic dairy company, has expanded with 14 new farms in central Pennsylvania. They will join Maple Hill’s 120 small family farms. Each farm will have an average herd of approximately 50 cows, ensuring the highest quality milk for Maple Hill Creamery’s products.
Cal-Maine Foods acquires egg production assets of ISE America
Cal-Maine Foods Inc. completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of ISE America, Inc. and certain affiliates for approximately $110 million. The acquired ISE assets include commercial shell egg production and processing facilities and approximately 4,000 acres of land, inventories and an egg-products breaking facility.
Avian flu hits commercial egg operation
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency after an outbreak of avian flu was detected at a large commercial egg operation in Weld County on July 5. All 1.78 million chickens at the Weld County farm will have to be killed to prevent any further spread.
Michigan dairy herd struck with HPAI
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in another dairy herd from Gratiot County, bringing the total number of affected dairy herds in Michigan to 26.
Vaccine for bovine tuberculosis under development
Researchers across various universities are developing a new vaccine and delivery system to prevent bovine tuberculosis in free-roaming white-tailed deer – a primary reservoir for the disease. The mucosal, oral, probiotic-based vaccine was designed to withstand the intestinal mucosal barrier, which works to prevent pathogens from entering the body. Researchers hope the vaccine contributes to the eradication of TB in any wildlife species.
Cattle prices at all-time high
At mid-year, cattle prices are at all-time record levels, reports Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University. Fed steers averaged $195.81/cwt., live basis, and 850-pound, Med/Large, No. 1 steers averaged $255.41/cwt. in Oklahoma auctions prior to July 4. Boning cull cows, average dressing, averaged $143.22/cwt. with high dressing Breaker cows averaging $ 154.41/cwt. Steers calves are priced slightly below the March seasonal peak but averaged $324.53/cwt. before July 4 for 475-pound Med/Large, No. 1 steers, down from the $350.85/cwt. March average.
New SoundByte: Valcor
Valcor by Zoetis is the first approved dual active endectocide for cattle in the United States where both active ingredients are effective against gastrointestinal nematodes. In a study with more than 1,500 head, Valcor increased weight gain in heifers because of improved parasite control. Find more in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.
