Livestock-Equine News: July 1, 2024
Probiotic spray method improves hatchability, health of chicks
Mary Anne Amalaradjou, associate professor of animal science in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, patented a method of spraying eggs with probiotics shown to improve embryonic development and post-hatch growth of chicks raised for broiler production. This method improves chick health without relying on antibiotics, which are increasingly banned due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria – a threat to human and animal health. This is especially relevant as there has recently been a drop in hatchability, defined as how many chicks successfully hatch from the group of eggs put into an incubator. Scientists do not yet know what could be responsible for this drop.
Country still not equipped to deal with H5N1: experts
Three months since an outbreak of avian influenza in U.S. dairy cattle was declared, the country still does not have a sufficient testing infrastructure in place nor a full understanding of how the virus is moving within herds and to new herds, experts say. Government officials also have not secured the cooperation from farmers and dairy workers that would be required to rein in the outbreak.
Eco-friendly cattle feeding facility announced
Stovall Ranching Companies and Bion Environmental Technologies Inc. announced they will develop an eco-friendly 15,000-head capacity facility at Stovall’s Yellowstone Cattle Feeders in Shepherd, Montana. Barns will be outfitted with solar generation and advanced waste treatment and resource recovery systems. The Bion Gen3Tech system will harvest organic and low-carbon nitrogen fertilizers from the volatile ammonia in the waste, methane that can be upgraded to renewable natural gas, and clean water.
Feedlot research center to open in Nebraska
Low-stress animal handling will be one of the research focuses at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, set to open this summer at University of Nebraska — Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Education and Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska. The KFIC will be one of the only commercial-scale feedlot research centers in the world and will include a processing barn that features two separate, but side-by-side alleyway and chute systems with an elevated classroom.
Bovine herpesvirus product recommended in Europe
The European Medicines Agency Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products has recommended marketing authorization for Divence IBR Marker Live from Laboratorios Hipra, S.A. Divence IBR Marker Live stimulates active immunity against bovine herpesvirus type. Its benefit is said to be the active immunization of cattle from 10 weeks of age to reduce virus shedding, hyperthermia and clinical signs of IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis).
Vet students invited to present at 2025 AASV annual meeting
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians announced an opportunity for veterinary students to make a scientific presentation at the AASV Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California, next March. Interested students are invited to submit a one-page abstract of a research paper, clinical case study or literature review for consideration. The submitting student must be a current (2024-25) student member of the AASV and must not have graduated from veterinary school prior to February.
