Weekly Livestock-Equine News: June 2, 2025

USDA chips in $14.5M for state meat and poultry inspection programs

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that USDA will provide a funding increase of $14.5 million in reimbursements to states for meat and poultry inspection programs. “State meat and poultry inspection programs are vital to maintaining a safe and resilient food system, especially for small and medium-sized producers and processors,” said National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted McKinney in a statement.

Moderna to continue bird flu vaccine research despite loss of US funding

On May 28, Moderna announced positive interim data for its Phase 1/2 clinical study evaluating its investigational pandemic influenza vaccine, which focuses on the H5 avian influenza virus subtype. The same day, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notified the company that HHS would terminate its award for the project. In a statement, Moderna said it will “explore alternatives for late-stage development and manufacturing of the H5 program.”

Purdue honors three Distinguished Animal Sciences alumni

Purdue University recognized three graduates with the 2025 Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards: Bret Marsh, DVM, who served for more than 30 years as Indiana’s state veterinarian and was appointed dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine in November 2024; Eric Sheiss, president and chief operating officer of Indiana Packers Corporation; and Nicholas Tharp, owner, partner and sow manager at Legan Livestock & Grain, LLC.

USMEF responds to trade challenges with market diversification

U.S. Meat Export Federation VP Jihae Yang noted at the Federation’s spring conference that with high tariffs and other barriers severely limiting pork and beef exports to China, the organization has intensified efforts to move items traditionally popular in China to alternative markets, including South Korea. Yang added that if the trade impasse with China persists, more U.S. short plate may be available to importers and distributors in Southeast Asia.

US dairy industry gains greater access to Costa Rican market

Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) approved the first American dairy cooperative for export to Costa Rica under a new approval process designed to ease market access for U.S. dairy products. This first registration paves the way for future U.S. dairy exports to Costa Rica, a $60 million market in 2024, according to the USDA.

Test shows promise in diagnosing Johne’s Disease in sheep and cattle

A preliminary study by MI:RNA Diagnostics and Scotland’s Rural College scientists report that microRNA profiling, along with predictive modelling, has the potential to be used as a test for diagnosing Johne’s disease in cattle. Johne’s is an inflammatory condition which primarily affects sheep and cattle and has a prevalence of up to 50% within herds in the UK. More studies are needed to further validate the findings.