Weekly Livestock-Equine News: August 11, 2025

Tiba Biotech RNA vaccine for Foot and Mouth Disease found effective among cattle

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Tiba Biotech announced the results of a challenge study evaluating the efficacy of an RNA vaccine for Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle. Conducted by Germany’s Friedrich Loeffler Institute, the study assessed both humoral immune responses and protective efficacy upon direct viral challenge exposure. All vaccinated animals were fully protected, showing no signs of viral shedding or adverse effects.

Research grant seeks to develop solutions for dairy cow lameness

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is among five organizations investing $2 million in an FFAR Seeding Solutions grant to support strategies for early lameness detection and prevention on U.S. dairy farms. Researchers will combine data analysis of farm records, hoof health history and genetic information with autonomous cameras that use images and artificial intelligence to track cow movements.

Alveo Technologies announces study results of bird flu test for poultry

Alveo Technologies, a molecular sensing and diagnostics company, announced that studies conducted by the Poultry Research and Diagnostic Center (PDRC) demonstrated that the Alveo Sense Poultry Avian Influenza Test successfully detected the H5N1 virus in experimentally infected chickens and ducks during the acute stages of infection. PDRC is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia in Athens.

CVS Farm in the UK says project reduces antibiotic usage among calves

CVS Farm, a network of veterinary practices in the UK and Australia, reported a project subsidized by Boehringer Ingelheim has helped farmers reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage. CVS Labs identifies a mixture of agents using an eight-pathogen multiplex test, and CVS Farm vets produce action plans based on preventative approaches such as vaccination and treatment protocol, biosecurity, housing and environmental management.

Keyhole surgery available in UK for horses with cervical spinal nerve compression

The Royal Veterinary College in the UK has begun offering a keyhole surgical procedure for horses with cervical spinal nerve compression at its Equine Referral Hospital. The technique, uniportal endoscopic foraminotomy, is performed under general anesthetic and involves the removal of excess bone near the base of the neck to relieve nerve compression and create more space within the spinal canal.

Idaho state animal health lab joins national diagnostic network

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture Animal Health Laboratory has been accepted as a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, a designation that state officials expect will benefit the state’s dairy and cattle industries. NAHLN is a coordinated system of over 60 federal, state and university-affiliated laboratories providing disease surveillance and quick response to disease events.