Livestock News for March 26
Reuters reported that farmers and other industry insiders have told the news organization that China’s African swine fever epidemic is far more extensive than official reports suggest, making the disease harder to contain, potentially causing pork shortages and increasing the likelihood that it will spread beyond China’s borders. “Our full expectation is that the number of cases is under-reported,” said Paul Sundberg, executive director at the Swine Health Information Center in Ames, Iowa, which is funded by American pork producers. “And if there’s so much of that virus in the environment in China, then we are at increased risk of importing it.”
Largest U.S. dairy cooperative calls 2018 “challenging” year
According to a Dairy Herd Management report, a “challenging” year in the dairy industry led to a drop in net sales for the largest dairy cooperative in the U.S. During Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo.,the cooperative reported that net sales fell by $1.1 billion, a decrease of 7.5% from 2017. For 2018, net sales were totaled at $13.6 billion. The previous year net sales equaled $14.7 billion. According to DFA, the decrease is largely attributed to lower milk prices. The all U.S. milk price was 8.2% lower than the previous year averaging $16.20/cwt paid in 2018 compared with $17.65/cwt in 2017. Milk prices for 2018 were also $0.10/cwt lower compared to 2016 when it averaged $16.30/cwt.
PEDv found at major swine show in Oklahoma
According to Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, a highly contagious swine disease, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), was found recently at a major swine show in Oklahoma City. Thousands of pigs may be infected and thousands of people who walked through the barns could now take it home to their farms. It is called a “baby pig killer,” with almost 100-percent mortality. The disease is not transmissible to humans, and older swine that get it usually recover. After working overnight to deliver the results of test samples in a very quick turnaround, the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostics Lab, in Stillwater, confirmed last Thursday morning the presence of PEDv at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) happening last week at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Read more at: https://www.iowaagribusinessradionetwork.com/pedv-outbreak-at-ok-swine-show/
ANIMART merges with Animal Profiling Inc
ANIMART LLC announced it’s merging with Animal Profiling Inc., a diagnostic lab services and animal health data provider, according to a Bovine Veterinarian report. The addition of API will help evolve ANIMART into a more integrated animal health management company connecting veterinary expertise, diagnostics and data, and products in one comprehensive offering, according to the announcement.
Perdue Farms president of prepared foods resigns
According to Meat + Poultry, Perdue Farms confirmed that Steven Evans, president of the company’s prepared food division, has resigned. In a statement, the company said Evans “…is leaving to pursue other opportunities. In the interim, Randy Day will assume additional responsibility for the Prepared Foods business.”
