Weekly livestock and equine news: December 7, 2020

New Johne’s disease test is faster and more accurate, research shows

U.K. researchers have developed a promising new test for Johne’s disease in dairy cattle. The test is more rapid and sensitive and has shown greater detection capability than the current one. Crucially, it detects live infectious agent, not just antibodies, according to researchers at Queen’s University Belfast. Johne’s disease is a contagious, chronic and usually fatal infection that affects primarily the small intestine of ruminants, according to USDA. It causes weight loss and diarrhea with normal appetite, and signs are rarely evident until two or more years after the initial infection, which usually occurs shortly after birth.

How gut microbes could prevent African swine fever

Harvesting gut bacteria from wild pigs that show increased resistance to African swine fever could help prevent the spread of the virus and other diseases in the future, according to new research. While ASF circulates continuously among wild boar in Africa, researchers had observed that these wild pigs are not as susceptible to the virulent outbreaks that afflict domesticated animals, said Fernando Rodriguez, head of the ASF research group at the Research Center in Animal Health at Spain’s Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology. In research published last month, Rodriguez’s team showed that fecal transplants from wild warthogs to domesticated pigs provided at least some protection against the virus. Pigs that received the fecal transplant and were exposed to a weakened form of ASF didn’t contract the disease, while the pigs that didn’t get the transplant fell ill when exposed to the same virus. Feed Strategy reports.

Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging introduces standing equine leg CT

Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging has launched its standing equine leg CT. Among other things, the CT includes 3D imaging with 60-second scan times; exclusive motion correction technology; no anesthesia costs or additional staffing needed; and profitability with 10-15 cases per month, depending on the clinic, according to Hallmarq.

American Regent Animal Health forms new distribution agreements for Adequan equine medication

American Regent Animal Health announced it will begin selling Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) through veterinary distribution this month. Adequan i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. The company has finalized agreements with several national distributors. It’s also working to expand this network to distribute the product and provide veterinarians with increased product support, streamlined ordering and better access to resources that educate horse owners about the effects of equine degenerative joint disease. According to the announcement, veterinarians will be able to purchase Adequan i.m. from the distributor of their choice while receiving continued support from dedicated American Regent Animal Health sales professionals and the company’s technical services veterinarians.

Bird flu fears grow after spate of mysterious U.K. swan deaths

A spate of swan deaths is strongly suspected to be caused by the virulent H5N8 bird flu strain spreading through Britain, The Guardian reports. Brought in by wild birds migrating across Europe, the strain last caused widespread avian deaths in the winter of 2016-17. The risk to human health from the virus is very low, according to Public Health England. Officials are worried the virus will wipe out chickens and other poultry this winter. The government has declared an avian influenza prevention zone across England, Scotland and Wales, requiring all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.

U.S. farm profit on track for seven-year high thanks to pandemic, trade payments

U.S. farm profit this year will rise to a seven-year high after government aid payments doubled during the pandemic and trade disputes, according to USDA. Net farm income this year will jump 43% to $119.6 billion, the highest inflation-adjusted level since 2013, USDA said. The latest data show the increasing dependence of growers on government assistance after three years of trade and COVID-19 aid on top of traditional subsidies. Farmers face a less certain outlook next year if the Biden administration adjusts payments. Direct government aid, accounting for 39% of net farm income, rose to a record $36.5 billion from $22.4 billion last year. The forecast by USDA’s Economic Research Service marked a $16.9 billion rise in net income from a September projection. Bloomberg reports.