Weekly livestock and equine news: May 30, 2022

University of Florida’s new veterinary hospital will deliver equine sports medicine and small animal care

The University of Florida Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, opened last week, delivering care to horses and small animals. Plans for the 40,000-square-foot facility were announced last fall. “Nowhere else is there a leading-edge veterinary hospital located within a premier equestrian venue, with all of the services that equine competitors need to ensure their horses are kept in optimal health and performance-ready condition,” said Dana Zimmel, dean of the UF veterinary college. Equine services available at the new facility will focus on sports medicine, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation. Small animals will receive urgent and primary care, with a goal of expanding specialty services for horses and small animals.

Merck announces availability of Arovyn to treat bovine respiratory disease, foot rot and pinkeye

Merck Animal Health announced that Arovyn (tulathromycin injection) is now available for veterinarians. The prescription antibiotic is used to control and treat bovine respiratory disease as well as foot rot and pinkeye. It recently received FDA approval for use in cattle and swine. More information on the product and its indications is available in the announcement from Merck.

Drought is affecting cattle slaughter, with beef production expected to decline next year: USDA

Poor pasture conditions due to drought are pushing calves into feedlots at a quicker rate than normal, likely speeding up the pace of fed cattle slaughter in 2022 and leaving fewer supplies of cattle available for slaughter in late 2022 and 2023, according to USDA economists. As of May 17, approximately 50% of the U.S. cattle inventory was in an area experiencing drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor showed more than 63% of the country in some form of drought, with the areas experiencing the most severe conditions expanding. Based on anticipated tight supplies of cattle, USDA predicts 2023 beef production to decline by 6.8% from 2022 to 26 billion pounds, marking a second year of lower production after a record 2021. Lower beef production will likely result in higher prices in 2023, Feedstuffs reports.

To prevent bird flu spread, strong biosecurity and long-term prevention are needed, veterinarians say

Two veterinarians spoke with Feed Strategy about why this year’s bird flu outbreak is unique and how producers can prevent the disease’s spread. “Generally, [highly pathogenic avian influenza] outbreaks occur in local areas, and they’re eradicated immediately and they don’t spread across continents,” said Dr. David Swayne, laboratory director at USDA’s Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory. “The current virus, which has been around since 1996, has been spreading throughout Europe and Asia, and then it crossed into North America twice through those migratory birds”—in 2014 and late 2021. In addition to biosecurity practices, a long-term approach is needed to prevent the spread of bird flu, Swayne said. For example, “we need to be looking at ways to discourage having large ponds or other water areas close to poultry barns. They should be quite a bit away from them so that you won’t have a close interaction between those poultry barns and potential sites where wild waterfowl would come in.”

Ukraine official calls for international assistance to export grain

A Ukrainian government official is calling for international assistance to secure safe passage for millions of tons of grain stuck in the country. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said international help could be a solution allowing Ukraine to export the grain currently stuck in its silos and unable to be shipped. The country’s inability to export grain has led to soaring global food prices and worries about famine in places that depend on its exports. “We need the assistance of our international partners, to secure our exports through the seaports…to find a way to build a corridor, or another solution, how to give an opportunity to Ukrainian vessels [to export via the Black Sea],” Svyrydenko said. Hinting that military assistance might be necessary, she noted help is needed “not once but on a regular basis. That is most important.” The BBC reports.

Tractor Supply Company’s Paper Clover Campaign raises $1.2 million for 4-H programming

Tractor Supply Company in partnership with the National 4-H Council announced that the 2022 Spring Paper Clover Campaign generated more than $1.2 million to aid 4-H youth nationwide. The initiative raises funds for educational programs for 4-H members, including camps, conferences and community projects. All funds raised will benefit Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program, with 90% of donations earmarked for programs in the state in which collected and the remaining 10% directed toward national 4-H programming.