Weekly Livestock-Equine News: January 20, 2025
Neogen launches quantitative Salmonella detection assay
Neogen Corp. announced the launch of the Neogen Molecular Detection Assay 2 – Quantitative Salmonella (MDA2QSAL96), designed to enable controlled growth rates for quantitation and allow poultry producers to verify the effectiveness of their interventions against Salmonella. The quantitative method is said to offer consistency and sensitivity on poultry rinses and ground poultry meat.
TARGAN signs contract for feather-sexing system
Raleigh, North Carolina-based TARGAN signed a contract for its WingScan automated feather-sexing system with Polish poultry producer IKO. The system is said to offer a throughput of 40,000 to 160,000 chicks per hour with up to 98% accuracy. By implementing gender-specific rearing strategies, producers can improve flock uniformity and optimize plant operations, according to the company.
Research shows horses can be infected with bird flu
Research from Glasgow, Scotland, shows that horses have been infected with H5N1 in Asia and that infections have been occurring undetected. There were no prior reports of outbreaks of respiratory disease in the herds studied, suggesting the animals that tested positive for H5N1 antibodies may have experienced asymptomatic infections.
Who’s shaping public opinion about precision livestock farming?
Research from Michigan State University Extension found that social media is the primary source of information about precision livestock farming, that is, real-time monitoring of animals. Twenty-seven percent of those surveyed said platforms like Facebook and X shaped their views. Friends and family influenced 26% of respondents, and farmers and farmer groups affected 24%. In contrast, the government was the source for only 12% of those surveyed.
Equine imports from Mexico resumed
Effective Jan. 21, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will again permit the importation of equines from Mexico with additional safeguards against introduction of New World Screwworm. APHIS temporarily suspended livestock imports from Mexico after that country detected NWS in November. NWS (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a devastating pest that can cause serious, often deadly damage to the affected animal.
Pork industry reminded about unapproved use of aspirin
Just as there are no FDA-approved aspirin products for use in cattle, neither are there any for use in swine, Locke Karriker, DVM, professor at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and president-elect of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians said during a recent webinar. The extra-label use of unapproved drugs in food-producing species is prohibited.
