Weekly Livestock-Equine News: August 18, 2025

Hemoperfusion has potential to reduce signs of equine sepsis

Horses with sepsis whose blood was filtered with a hemoperfusion column showed reduced signs of sepsis, reported Kallie Hobbs, DVM, MBA, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LAIM, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, at this summer’s ACVIM Forum. “[This is] something that pulls blood out of the horse, runs it back through a column that absorbs toxins, and then puts them back into the horse,” she explained, describing the hemoperfusion device (VetResQ and PuriFi).

New World Screwworm detection kits available to Arizona ranchers

The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) unveiled the first of the state’s saddlebag scouting kits for ranchers to encourage early detection of New World screwworm infestation. Each kit includes specimen collection vials with tweezers, specimen baggies with cotton balls for safe support, and collection and mail instructions. Ranchers are encouraged to begin scouting now in their herds, looking at open wounds for any sign of infestation.

US ranchers begin herd rebuild following years-long drought

In major US livestock regions, some ranchers have begun taking steps to boost cattle production after the nation’s inventory shrank due to a years-long drought that dried up pasture land and hiked feeding costs. Improved rains are motivating the expansion, along with expectations that cattle prices will remain lofty during the long rebuilding process, ranchers said.

UK to move forward with research and development of veterinary RNA vaccines

The Pirbright Institute in Surrey, UK, will collaborate with CPI, a UK-based technology innovation center, on the development of veterinary vaccines, with an initial focus on RNA platforms. “With the news that funding for RNA vaccines is being scaled back in the United States, this UK-based partnership signals continued investment in RNA innovation for both animal and human health,” The Pirbright Institute said in a statement.

Court upholds EPA ruling that exempts reporting on emissions from animal waste

Livestock and poultry producers applauded a U.S. District Court ruling earlier this month upholding the Environmental Protection Agency’s reporting exemption for air emissions that occur from the breakdown of animal waste at farms. “This decision affirms that family cattle producers should not have to file reports for a natural, biological process under a law meant for significant chemical contaminants,” said Kaitlynn Glover, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of natural resources.

USDA researcher honored for efforts to contain African swine fever

Dr. Lydia Carpenter of the Department of Agriculture was one of five USDA employees to receive a Service to America medal for groundbreaking research. Recognizing the catastrophic potential of African swine fever, Dr. Carpenter led efforts to design and implement a pilot initiative that brought together federal and state regulators, farmers, and pork producers to establish national standards for biosecurity, surveillance, and traceability.