Weekly livestock news: February 12, 2024

Part of Massachusetts pork confinement law ruled unconstitutional, but the rest survives

A federal judge ruled that part of a Massachusetts law banning the sale of pork from pigs kept in tightly confined spaces is unconstitutional but can be severed to allow the rest of the measure to survive an industry-backed legal challenge, Reuters reports. The ruling by U.S. District Judge William Young came in a lawsuit by Triumph Foods and out-of-state pig farmers who argued the restrictions violated the U.S. Constitution. The restrictions were part of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which barred the sales of pork, veal and eggs in Massachusetts from pigs, calves and hens whose confinement failed to meet certain minimum space requirements. In light of a Supreme Court decision that preserved a similar voter-approved measure in California, Young dismissed parts of Triumph’s case, leaving a single claim that an exemption in the law discriminated against out-of-state pork processors. While Young agreed with that claim, he said the exemption could be removed from the measure without frustrating the law’s overall purpose.

U.S. begins 2024 with fewer dairy cows, replacement heifers

The USDA’s semiannual estimate of cattle inventories indicates the number of dairy cows to start 2024 is the lowest in four years. As of January 1, U.S. dairy herds contained about 9.357 million dairy cows that calved in 2023, down about 40,700 from a year earlier and the smallest number of milk cows to start a year since 2020. Just 10 states had more cows to start 2024 compared to a year earlier, led by South Dakota, up 21,000 head. Others with small increases were Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Kansas. In contrast, declines in New Mexico (-31,000) and Texas (-15,000) led the 26 states with fewer cows than a year earlier. There were about 4.06 million replacement dairy heifers weighing at least 500 pounds, down 14,400 from a year earlier and the lowest number to start a year since 2004, Ag Proud reports.

FDA to withdraw rule that delayed feed additive approvals

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine intends to withdraw a policy that the animal feed industry says has deterred ingredient manufacturers from investing in the U.S. marketplace. Over recent years, the FDA’s 1998 Program Policy and Procedures Manual Guide 1240.3605 has faced criticism, particularly from the American Feed Industry Association, animal producers, lawmakers and federal officials, who argue that it hindered timely and cost-effective introduction of animal feed ingredients with beneficial properties. The CVM’s strict interpretation categorized these products as animal drugs, subjecting them to lengthy drug review procedures rather than more suitable ingredient review processes, critics said. The FDA said it also intends to work with Congress to seek new legislative authority for a clear regulatory pathway for substances added to animal food or drinking water that function in the gut of an animal in certain ways.

Some invasive species, like feral pigs and horses, could be good for ecosystems: study

An unscientific bias against feral or invasive animals threatens to undercut one of the stabilizing trends making ecosystems healthier, according to a new study published in Science. Introduced species, such as feral pigs, horses, donkeys and camels, represent a powerful force of rewilding, the reintroduction of wild animals into ecosystems where humans have eradicated them, the study reports. In many such ecosystems, big herbivores spread seeds, increase plant diversity and work as ecosystem engineers, whether those herbivores are invasive or native, the authors state. The study argues against widely held beliefs about whether invasive species are harmful—beliefs that are the driving force behind a wave of expensive and often futile campaigns since the 1990s that eradicate species such as feral hogs in Texas, wild horses across the American West and donkeys and camels in Australia, The Hill reports.

Massachusetts officials warn poultry owners of avian flu risk after outbreak in backyard flock

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources says highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Essex County and authorities are warning domestic bird owners that their birds may be at risk. MDAR officials said they dealt with a backyard flock contaminated with the virus after birds in the affected area died suddenly. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife said it also has received reports of dead and dying wild Canada geese showing symptoms consistent with HPAI. Domestic poultry owners are advised to prevent their animals from having contact with wild birds and eliminate access to areas that attract waterfowl. Officials warned that while humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses, those that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds are most at risk, ABC 6 reports.

Tips to care for dehydrated calves

Young calves that become severely dehydrated from scours may not survive without intervention, according to Kansas State University veterinarians. “With this disease, calves experience severe diarrhea and quickly become dehydrated,” said Dr. Brad White. Dr. Bob Larson stressed it’s important for cattle producers to maintain bags of commercial electrolyte replacement on hand. “If you can get the calf to drink from a bottle then you can give them oral electrolytes,” he said. “Another option is to deliver that through an esophageal feeder.” However, if they are really sick, not able to get up and laying on their side, Larson said producers need to have their veterinarian administer IV fluids to the calf. Dr. Brian Lubbers added that subcutaneous fluids are another step that might be an option if they are unable to drink but not to the point where they need IV fluids.