Livestock News – Winter 2016

BIVI adds Curt Vlietstra to professional veterinary services team

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI), announced the hiring of Curt Vlietstra, DVM as a professional services veterinarian with its Cattle Team. Vlietstra comes to BIVI from Pipestone Veterinary Services in Pipestone, Minn., a practice for both large and companion animals, where he was an owner and veterinarian for the past 13 years. In his new role, Vlietstra will be responsible for serving customers in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

Website aims to educate audience on changes related to antibiotic use coming

According to a Bovine Veterinarian report, media outlets like PORK Network, Drovers, Bovine Veterinarianand AgWeb are working diligently to make sure their respective producer-audiences are informed of the veterinary feed directives and the corresponding changes related to antibiotic use coming in January 2017. Livestock groups, too, have a vested interest in educating producers as well as consumers about the impending rules. The Animal Health Institute, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Animal Agriculture Alliance launched a new website: www.togetherABX.com, which provides “information about how the Food and Drug Administration’s new policy will change the way antibiotics are used to keep food animals healthy,” a release from the groups said. The new rules mean antibiotics for livestock that are similar to those used in humans will no longer be used for animal growth purposes. In addition, the policy requires a veterinarian/client/patient relationship, meaning a veterinarian must supervise antibiotic use on farms.

The Dairy Strong Sustainability Alliance launched

Farm Journal’s Milk reported that a new group, The Dairy Strong Sustainability Alliance, debuted on Endres Berryridge Farm near Waunakee, Wis. to demonstrate and document the dairy industry’s commitment to the environment, food safety and animal care. The Dairy Strong Sustainability Alliance combines the expertise of the Dairy Business Association (DBA), the Nature Conservancy, Yahara Pride Farms, Peninsula Pride Farms, the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The Alliance hopes to bring all aspects of dairy sustainability together, from farm to table, to position Wisconsin and the Midwest as a global leader in dairy sustainability.

Number of certified organic farms on the rise

According to a NASS-USDA news release highlighted by AgriMarketing, more than 12,000 certified organic farms in the United States generated $6.2 billion in sales in 2015, an increase of 13% from $5.5 billion reported in 2014, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports in its 2015 Certified Organic Survey. Ten states accounted for 78% of all certified organic food sales. California led with $2.4 billion, which accounted for 40% of the total value of all certified organic sales in the United States, the NASS says. The value of sales from organic milk and eggs led all food categories with $1.9 billion followed by vegetables with $1.4 billion; fruits, tree nuts and berries with $1.2 billion; meat and poultry at $743 million and field crops at $660 million.

U.S. cattle supplies continue to build

The USDA says that U.S. cattle supplies continue to build as herd size rebounds from liquidation in previous years, according to a BrownfieldAgNews report. As of August 1, the total number of cattle on feed was 10.2 million head, up 2% from a year ago. Placements were 1.6 million head, also up 2% on the year, but still the second smallest total for the month since the series of reports started in 1996. Most of the placements were cattle weighing more than 700 pounds.

Zinpro Corporation announces promotions within Research and Nutritional Services team

Zinpro Corporation announced promotions within the company’s Research and Nutritional Services (RNS) team. Mike Socha, Ph.D., is promoted to a newly created role as RNS associate director; Dana Tomlinson, Ph.D., is promoted to a newly created role as research nutritionist, companion animal; and Molly Frensko is promoted to a newly created position as RNS project coordinator.