Weekly Livestock-Equine News: November 18, 2024

Digital tool helps identify horses at risk for racing injuries

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has launched a digital tool for regulatory veterinarians that provides a holistic view of a horse’s health and performance. The Horse In-Sight tool uses a graph of a horse’s career charted through high-speed furlongs over time with races, workouts and scratches. It also filters for type of treatment, injury outcome and veterinary list status and compares multiple horses through a Race Day tab allowing insight into injections and injuries.

UC Davis produces equine embryos by IVF

Researchers at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine achieved the first successful use of frozen-thawed sperm for in vitro fertilization production of equine embryos. Although IVF is commonly used in many species from livestock to humans, it has historically met with little success in horses. Recent advances demonstrated IVF embryo production, but only using high quality, fresh sperm, which limits its use.

New study presents environmental benefits of cultivated meat

Czech biotechnology startup Bene Meat Technologies, in collaboration with the Czech Technical University in Prague, found that cultivated meat has “significantly lower environmental impacts compared to traditional animal production,” including less land use and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The study was based on data derived from technology being prepared for the factory that Bene Meat is currently building near Prague.

Thune brings agriculture knowledge to US House

The selection of Republican senator John Thune as House Majority Leader could benefit the U.S. ag sector, as he has a deep background in ag policy and is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He has also been involved in writing several farm bills.

Evolving swine flu strains could present a threat

Recent reporting on African swine fever virus strain circulation has highlighted a concerning expansion of the ASFV Recombinant Genotype I/II strains being detected in Asia and now the Russian Far East, according to the Swine Health Information Center. Evolving changes in globally circulating ASFV genotypes continue to pose risks for U.S. introduction and inform ongoing prevention and preparedness activities to protect the health of U.S. swine.

Tyson Foods reports improved profitability in Q4 and FY2024

Springfield, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods Inc. reported Q4 2024 sales of $13,565 million, up 1.6% from the prior year. Total company adjusted operating margin was 3.8%. For FY2024, the company reported sales of $53,309 million, up 0.8% from the prior year. was 3.4%.