Weekly Livestock-Equine News: August 25, 2025

UK vet practices to offer subsidized bovine antibody tests

Fifteen CVS Farm vet practices in the UK will continue to offer farmers a subsidized Bovine Antibody test throughout 2025 to assess the effectiveness of farm colostrum management. It is typically thought that dairy calves are most at risk of failure of passive transfer of colostrum. However, on a third of British beef suckler herds, at least 20% of calves fail to receive adequate colostral antibodies.

Virologist network reaffirms support for mRNA vaccine platform

The Global Virus Network, a coalition of human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in more than 40 countries, “is unequivocally committed to the continued development and deployment of mRNA vaccines and the global scientific collaboration that makes such innovation possible,” the group announced. “mRNA vaccine platforms have … fundamentally reshap[ed] our ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging viral threats.”

Women in Petfood Leadership to sponsor event at Pet Food Collab 2025

Women in Petfood Leadership will explore mentorship pipelines in industry and academia during a Sept. 8 event at Pet Food Collab 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. Jodi Vondran, Hill’s Pet Nutrition director of wearables, will lead discussions on mentorship opportunities for women in pet food, including students. Vondran has worked at Hill’s since 2007, advancing from associate scientist to her current role leading technological innovations in companion animal nutrition.

Roo launches national externship platform for veterinary students

Veterinary relief firm Roo launched Roo Uni, a centralized platform for students to research and apply for externships. “For decades, vet students have had to track down externships hospital by hospital,” the company said in a press release. “Roo Uni aggregat[es] externships from across the country – at both corporate and private hospitals – into a single, searchable platform that’s free for students, universities and hospitals.”

Widespread outbreaks of African swine fever continue

African swine fever has expanded its geographical range, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. From Jan. 1, 2024, to May 25, 2025, the WOAH received reports from 51 countries and territories, reporting a total of 14,918 outbreaks. Three countries reported the first occurrence of ASF during 2024: Montenegro, Albania and Sri Lanka. Significant spread occurred in Bhutan, Côte d’Ivoire, Germany and Poland.

HHS allows FDA emergency use of animal drugs to combat NWS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has allowed the FDA to issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS). Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for NWS in the United States. Through the EUA, the FDA authorizes the use of animal drugs that may be approved for other purposes, or available in other countries.