Weekly Livestock-Equine News: October 20, 2025

Animal disease experts target six priority threats

Experts at the recent conference of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases shared epidemiological updates, scientific insights and country experiences and reviewed strategies for prevention, control and eradication of six priority diseases: African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, peste des petits ruminants, avian influenza and rabies. The event was supported by the European Union.

Elanco assists UK researchers investigating coccidiosis parasite

Elanco Animal Health is assisting researchers from the Royal Veterinary College to assess the prevalence of three new species of Eimeria – the parasite that causes coccidiosis in poultry – in the UK and Europe. The new species appear to be associated with a malabsorptive type of coccidiosis, which is less likely to cause death than some other species, but research has shown that they appear to escape anticoccidial vaccines.

Beef-on-dairy strategy gaining momentum

The practice of crossing dairy cows with beef bulls is gaining momentum as an integral component of the beef supply chain, according to RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness. Beef-on-dairy is the practice of integrating beef genetics into dairy production systems. It’s not new, but the difference today is the strategic use of high-value beef bulls to produce surplus or non-replacement calves that eventually can be sent to feedlots.

High-dose oxytocin allows sows to pass on greater immunity

In a controlled field trial with 96 sows, Bryn Anderson, a veterinary student at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, found that piglets from oxytocin-treated sows had significantly higher average serum Brix values (estimating immunoglobulin G concentration), and a significantly greater proportion reached the passive immunoglobulin transfer adequacy threshold compared to controls. Bray reported her findings at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.

New Mexico to help livestock vets pay off school debt

The New Mexico Higher Education Department is inviting veterinarians with bovine, porcine or poultry patients to apply for up to $80,000 for veterinary loan repayments in exchange for four years of work in New Mexico. Senate Bill 8, passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham earlier this year, provides $1.55 million for debt relief for veterinarians who practice on livestock animals.

ArkeaBio receives capital injection for methane vaccine

Massachusetts-based ArkeaBio has received a $6 million capital injection from AgriZeroNZ, a joint venture between the New Zealand government and agribusinesses, to develop a methane vaccine to reduce agricultural emissions, initially from cattle. It is ArkeaBio’s second capital injection from AgriZeroNZ; the first, for $10 million, occurred in May.