Weekly Livestock-Equine News: December 22, 2025

Antimicrobial usage for food-producing animals increased 16% in 2024

U.S. sales and distribution of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals increased by 16% from 2023 through 2024 but decreased 27% from 2015 (year of peak sales) through 2024. In 2024, an estimated 41% of antimicrobials were intended for use in cattle, 43% for swine, 11% for turkeys, 4% for chickens. Tetracyclines accounted for 69%, penicillins 7%, macrolides 8%, sulfonamides 5%and aminoglycosides 7%.

Novel kirkovirus identified as potential culprit in equine colitis

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a novel kirkovirus that may be associated with colitis – and potentially small colon impactions – in horses. “This work does identify a potential culprit in some cases, particularly because of the association between the virus and small colon impactions,” said Breanna Sheahan at NC State. “Next steps will be to find out whether kirkovirus infects the cells of the equine gastrointestinal tract.”

Dr. Sarah Reuss installed as AAEP president

Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, equine technical manager with Boehringer Ingelheim, was installed as president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners at its 71st Annual Convention. With a DVM from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Reuss spent six years on faculty at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and transitioned to industry in 2016.

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to launch equine recovery foundation

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority announced the upcoming launch of the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance to Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing. The organization would work to ensure Thoroughbreds have immediate access to veterinary treatment and rehabilitation in order to facilitate successful aftercare placement as well as access to diagnostic imaging at the racetrack.

Foraminotomy surgery now available for horses at UC Davis

UC Davis announced it now offers foraminotomy surgery for horses with cervical foraminal stenosis, a narrowing of an intervertebral opening where the limb nerve root exits the spinal column. The surgeon uses a large bore equine CT scanner and endoscopic instruments to burr the foramen larger, relieving pressure on the compromised nerve root. Foraminotomies were first performed on horses in Europe in 2020.

Livestock manure tied to antibiotic resistance threats in farm soils

Large-scale livestock farming is accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance and heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils, research from China reveals. Researchers found that even “low-risk” organic fertilizers like dried poultry manure can inadvertently drive a dramatic surge in antibiotic resistance genes, once released into vegetable plots used for food crops. The study focused on pig and chicken farms near Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake.