Livestock News for April 30

Meat consumption forecast to rise

According to MEAT+POULTRY, more than two-thirds of respondents in a recent survey said they plan to maintain or increase their consumption of animal protein in the next year. Cargill’s Feed4Thought survey explores perceptions and opinions about current topics in the animal protein supply chain. The survey found that 93% of respondents said they care about the industry’s ability to feed the world sustainably, with 84% saying it impacts what they buy. Read more at meatpoultry.com

Bimeda® launches Bimectin® Plus Dewormer

Bimeda® announced it has available for sale BIMECTIN® PLUS (1% ivermectin and 10% clorsulon) Injection for Cattle. BIMECTIN® PLUS is an injectable parasiticide that is labeled for the treatment and control of internal and external parasites of cattle, including gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, sucking lice, mange mites, cattle grubs and adult liver flukes. BIMECTIN® PLUS will provide added protection against the economically damaging liver fluke. With the approval of BIMECTIN® PLUS, Bimeda® will be expanding its current line of ivermectin based compounds that include BIMECTIN® POUR-ON and BIMECTIN® INJECTION.

Suit against beef packers alleges depressing prices

AgWeb.com reported a class action lawsuit was filed in Chicago on behalf of R-CALF USA and four cattle-feeding ranchers against America’s four largest packing companies. The suit alleges violations of U.S. antitrust laws, the Packers and Stockyards Act, and the Commodity Exchange Act by unlawfully depressing the prices paid to American ranchers. The suit was filed against Tyson Foods, Inc., JBS S.A., Cargill, Inc., and National Beef Packing Company, LLC, and certain of their affiliates, who collectively purchase and process over 80% of the U.S.’s fed cattle annually. R-CALF and the four ranchers are represented by Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, a national antitrust and securities litigation firm, along with Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP. The four cattle feeders are from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming. In a statement from Scott+Scott, the suit alleges that from at least January 1, 2015 through the present, the Big 4 packers conspired to depress the price of fed cattle they purchased from American ranchers, thereby inflating their own margins and profits.

CDC reports E.coli outbreak in 10 states

According to Reuters, a total of 156 people in 10 states have been infected with E. coli after eating tainted ground beef at home and in restaurants since the beginning of March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on April 23. No deaths have been reported but 20 people have been hospitalized after they were infected with the strain E. coli O103 since March 1, the CDC said on its website. The agency said an investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the contaminated ground beef that was supplied to grocery stores and restaurants.

Another EHV-1 case reported in Nevada

According to TheHorse.com, on April 20 the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported that another Clark County, Nevada, horse has tested positive for non-neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The affected 10-year-old gelding recently attended a national-level event in Clark County, the EDCC said. “This is the second Nevada horse to test positive after being at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes,” which took place at the South Point Equestrian Center, in Las Vegas, March 30-April 6, the EDCC said. The gelding had been vaccinated against EHV-1, is not showing neurologic signs of disease, and is recovering with veterinary treatment.

AVMA specialty board recognizes equine imaging

The AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties has granted provisional recognition of equine diagnostic imaging as a specialty within the American College of Veterinary Radiology, according to JAVMA News. On the other hand, the ABVS declined granting recognition to the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine; however, ACVBM representatives are exploring the possibility of creating a specialty within the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, according to the report. While meeting in late February, the ABVS also granted full recognition of parasitology as a specialty within the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.