News – Livestock Spring 2018
Huvepharma® acquires AgriLabs®
Huvepharma® announced its acquisition of AgriLabs® “in a move that will expand the U.S. presence of the global animal health and nutrition company and speed commercialization of their biologic solutions for animal health,” according to a release. The acquisition includes AgriLabs product lines including Colostrx® CS and Colostrx® CR; I-Site® XP, MpB Guard® and Pulmo-Guard® PH-M vaccines; the VetGun insecticide delivery system; and AgriLabs’ custom vaccines business. In addition, the acquisition also includes Antelope Valley Bios, a contract manufacturing business, and the VaxLiant® portfolio of novel adjuvants based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both companies will continue operations under their current identities as integration opportunities are identified in 2018.
Egg prices predicted to be higher
According to Food Dive, egg prices during the first three months of 2018 are likely to be more than 35 percent higher than they were during the same period of 2017, USDA’s Economic Research Service says. The increase, from about 80 cents for a dozen grade A large eggs at the start of 2017 to predictions of $1.06 to $1.12 for a dozen, is due to several months of increased sales. Iowa State University professor Hongwei Xin, who directs the school’s Egg Industry Center, says domestic and international demand for U.S. eggs is on the rise. “We are at 273.7, about 274 eggs per capita per year,” he says of U.S. consumption. “This is the highest of the past 38 years.” And he says it’s expected to continue climbing. Meanwhile, bird flu, which devastated the Midwest poultry sector in 2015, affected egg production this year in other countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, South Africa and the Netherlands.
Record production of U.S. meat
According to a Wall Street Journal report, America is producing more meat than ever. Farmers and meatpackers produced a record 99.7 billion pounds of red meat and poultry in 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. They are on track for an even bigger slaughter this year. Tyson Foods Inc., Sanderson Farms Inc. and other meat companies are building new plants that are expected to push U.S. meat production up 3.8% in 2018, the biggest increase in more than 20 years. “We have a world that has a growing middle class that’s demanding protein,” said Dean Meyer, a farmer near Rock Rapids, Iowa who built a new hog barn and cattle feedlot to grow his sales to nearby slaughterhouses run by Tyson, JBS and others. “We think that’s a great opportunity.” The U.S. beef-cattle herd has expanded by 12% over the past four years. Meat companies produced a record 47.7 billion pounds of poultry in 2017, and slaughtered hogs at a faster pace than ever before.
David Strachan named head of avian and swine business unit of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
According to the Poultry Site, David Strachan has been appointed head of the avian and swine business unit following Boehringer Ingelheim’s acquisition of Merial Animal Health. Dr. Strachan has worked for Boehringer Ingelheim’s swine division for the past eleven years, spending the last seven as the head of business unit. He specialized in the swine sector with a main interest in infectious disease surveillance and control, areas key to both the swine and avian sectors. For the past fifteen years both Merial Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim’s avian and swine departments have focused on the production of innovative vaccines.
Three generations of the Huff family
According to Attending the annual AVDA gathering, the Huff family and Colorado Serum have been supporting their distributor partners for decades.
Y-TEX Corporation launches new TRI-ZAP™ lnsecticide Cattle Ear Tags
Y-TEX Corporation announced the launch of its new TRI-ZAP™ Insecticide Ear Tags for beef and dairy cattle. Featuring three proven active ingredients, new TRI-ZAP tags represent a major advancement in the control of horn flies, face flies, lice and Spinose ear ticks. “TRI-ZAP combines the repellency of zetacypermethrin and the killing power of abamectin with the synergistic effects of piperonyl butoxide to create the most effective fly control product on the market today for pastured beef and dairy cattle,” stated Dr. Mike Fletcher, Vice President of Research & Development for Y-TEX. “TRI-ZAP stops both pyrethroid-resistant horn flies and hard-to-control face flies from feeding on your cattle and stealing your profits. Our data shows the more resistant horn flies are to zetacypermethrin, the more susceptible they are to abamectin, making this combination an ideal part of any rotation strategy to manage horn fly resistance.”
Merck’s Safe-Guard® AquaSol approved for use in laying hens
Merck Animal Health announced that Safe-Guard® AquaSol (fenbendazole oral suspension), the company’s highly effective dewormer, is now approved for use in laying hens and replacement chickens intended to become laying hens, according to a report in ThePoultrySite. Safe-Guard AquaSol is indicated for the treatment and control of adult Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum. Safe-Guard AquaSol was initially approved in October 2015 for the treatment and control of adult A. galli in broiler chickens and replacement chickens intended to become breeding chickens and for the treatment and control of adult A. galli and H. gallinarum in breeding chickens.
JBS United rebrands as United Animal Health
According to Feedstuffs, JBS United Inc., announced Jan. 9 a rebrand to United Animal Health Inc. The rebranding includes a new name, logo, look and modernization to the way the company does business. United’s new brand allows the company to differentiate itself in the industry and make a clear distinction among other companies doing business with the same JBS initials.
EQUINE
Henry Schein, supplier partners and donors raise money for equine veterinary education
Henry Schein Animal Health recently led a fundraising effort that raised $10,000 for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation in support of its educational programming for the next generation of equine veterinary professionals. Henry Schein joined supplier partners Zoetis, Neogen, and Rood & Riddle to support the AAEP Foundation’s “Collegiate Challenge,” an initiative that encouraged convention attendees to make donations that support the following AAEP programs: student chapter activity; courses in dentistry, podiatry, and horses handling; and continuing education programs. Henry Schein and its supplier partners matched convention attendee donations up to a total donation of $10,000. Combined with Henry Schein and its partners’ donation, the AAEP Foundation raised more than $24,000 through the “Collegiate Challenge.”
Bimeda appoints Key Account Manager for MWI Animal Health – Mindie Burch
Bimeda Inc. announced the appointment of Mindie Burch to the role of Key Account Manager for MWI Animal Health. Burch’s appointment is effective March 1, 2018, and her role will primarily focus on growing business with her assigned account. With over 13 years of experience in the animal health industry, Burch brings a wealth of knowledge in sales and marketing as well as territory management. Prior to joining Bimeda, Burch held various positions in the animal health industry including Practice Manager, Marketing Consultant, Senior Marketing Manager at WALCO International, and Territory Manager for Fort Dodge Animal Health.
