Weekly Livestock-Equine News: December 2, 2024

Equestrian Federation targets misuse of deadly substances

Formaldehyde, pentobarbital and oxytocin are among medications that will not be allowed on show grounds with anyone except a veterinarian under a rule change proposed by the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Veterinary Committee. The list includes injectable adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), adenosine, magnesium sulfate, melatonin, thiamine, tryptophan and liquid nitrogen.

Idaho working with adjoining states to recruit rural veterinarians

Idaho is home to 2.5 million cattle and 235,000 head of sheep and lamb, yet it lacks a veterinary school and has difficulty recruiting large-animal specialists. To address the shortage, the state has a partnership with Washington State guaranteeing 11 slots in the veterinary college for Idaho students. Earlier this year, the state Senate passed a resolution to encourage a similar partnership with Utah State University. Legislators are working on next steps.

Mexico warns United States of New World Screwworm detection

Last week, the chief veterinary officer of Mexico notified the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of a detection of New World screwworm in southern Mexico. NWS are fly larvae that infest living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing infection. APHIS has already “stepped up its efforts in Central America to partner with impacted countries to push this pest out of newly affected areas,” said Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer of the U.S.

Beef association voices support of grazing bills to prevent wildfires

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands in support of legislation to expand the use of livestock grazing as a tool to reduce wildfire risk, make grazing permits more responsive to range conditions, and remove regulatory barriers to the maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Federal support for Beagle Brigade expected

The U.S. Senate passed legislation to support the Beagle Brigade, a specialized group of canine units stationed at airports and ports of entry to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases. The Beagle Brigade Act provides backing for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains beagles and other skilled dogs to inspect luggage, vehicles, cargo and packages entering the country.

US farm groups want new administration to spare workers from deportation

U.S. farm industry groups want President-elect Trump to spare their sector from his promise of mass deportations, which could upend a food supply chain heavily dependent on immigrants in the United States illegally. Nearly half of the nation’s approximately 2 million farm workers lack legal status, according to the departments of Labor and Agriculture, as well as many dairy and meatpacking workers.

The wildfire threat of wetter winters

There is a common misperception that a wet winter can reduce the number and ferocity of spring and summer wildfires. But in fact, a wet winter nourishes grass and other ground vegetation that is the primary fuel for wildfires in dry springs and summers, writes Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder of Dryad Networks, in The Cattle Site. Dryad provides ultra-early detection of wildfires.