Weekly Livestock-Equine News: October 21, 2024

Michigan reports avian flu in another dairy herd

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced another avian flu outbreak in dairy cattle, its first since early September. The state’s latest outbreak occurred at a farm in Clinton County, which is near Lansing. Michigan has now reported 30 outbreaks in dairy cattle.

Georgia ag damage from Helene estimated near $6.5 billion

Agricultural damages from Hurricane Helene will cost Georgia’s economy at least $6.46 billion, according to a preliminary report from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The losses include direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face.

Chicken recall ripples through supply chain

Millions of Americans may be impacted by a 10-million pound meat recall as Oklahoma-based BrucePac began recalling 9,986,245 lbs. of its ready-to-eat meat and poultry last week. Fears about listeria contamination prompted the recall. The USDA recently released a 372-page document listing hundreds of different items that may contain contaminated meat.

USDA lowers milk production forecast

In its October World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates report, the USDA lowered its milk production forecast for 2024 based on a slight decrease in growth for milk production per cow – dropping 100 million lbs. to 225.8 billion lbs. compared to last month’s report. The same forecast held true for 2025, with milk production reduced slightly from 227.9 billion lbs. to 227.7 billion lbs.

Survey explores dairy industry’s sustainability initiatives

Dairy processors identified waste reduction, material recycling, energy reduction and water reduction as their top sustainability initiatives in a survey commissioned by Dairy Processing in collaboration with Cypress Research. But only 60% of respondents reported having formal, measurable targets for overall waste reduction, and 51% and 50% had targets for energy reduction and water reduction initiatives, respectively.

Researchers aim to see if pulses can replace soy in pig diets

ABN, a British pig and poultry feed manufacturer, is exploring the use of pulses – e.g., faba beans, dry peas, chickpeas, lentils – instead of soy in pig feed. Previous research has demonstrated the potential of home-grown beans in pig diets, but the ABN focus is on assessing its commercial feasibility.