Weekly livestock news: February 15, 2021

Wyoming researchers study pests and livestock

University of Wyoming researchers are conducting a survey of cattle and sheep producers about how pests are affecting their livestock. “The goal of this survey is to understand the current degree of external parasitism, prevalent external parasites, diagnosis and treatment methods in Wyoming livestock as well as the financial impact on Wyoming producers,” said Derek Scasta, UW Extension rangeland specialist. Parasites being studied are broken into six categories: flies, lice, ticks, mange, cattle pests and sheep pests. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.

Bill aims to increase Black-owned farmland

Several U.S. senators announced legislation meant to end discrimination at USDA and to expand Black-owned farmland by up to 32 million acres, Successful Farming reports. Under the legislation, an independent board would review appeals of civil rights complaints filed against USDA, investigate complaints of discrimination within the department and oversee the farmer-elected county committees that guide operations at local USDA offices. A new Equitable Land Access Service would issue land grants of 160 acres apiece to up to 20,000 experienced Black farmers annually through 2030. A bill introduced in the House would provide debt relief for minority farmers.

How can ag companies truly commit to diversity?

A former Elanco sales rep discusses her experience being a person of color in a largely white profession. Bryana Clover’s customers “told me I was different” from the laborers working on processing floors, many of whom were people of color. “Or when they would be talking about the ‘lazy plant workers,’ or referring to many of the plant workers as ‘crackheads,’ they would say, ‘No offense, but you’re different.’” She added, “Not once in my 12-year agribusiness career did I have a person of color on my team.” Clover has now established 1619 Consulting, where she works to raise awareness about racial diversity in agriculture. “I really want to educate the agribusiness industry and the agricultural industry about these problems to create a commitment to authentic change, rather than performative allyship,” Clover said. Many companies say they’re committed to diversity, but she wants to make sure they put in the work to make it happen. The full story is in Successful Farming.

Tyson Foods faces investor pressure over lobbying and human rights at shareholder meeting

Tyson Foods faces pressure from nuns, the Teamsters union and asset managers to disclose more about its lobbying and human rights policies, after meatpacking plants were hit hard by COVID-19 last year. Investors at Tyson’s recent annual meeting were set to vote on shareholder proposals asking the largest U.S. meatpacker by sales to prepare separate reports on political contributions and worker protections. Another shareholder proposal called for a plan to end a dual-class share structure under which the Tyson family has voting power over about 71% of the company’s outstanding stock, according to regulatory filings. The family’s voting power meant the proposals would likely fail, but the meeting highlights widening calls for meat companies to answer for complaints brought about by the pandemic, Reuters reports.

Researchers find natural mutation in African swine fever virus

Scientists in China have found a natural mutation in the African swine fever virus that they say could be less deadly than the strain that led to severe losses in the country in 2018 and 2019, Reuters reports. The strains are causing a chronic form of ASF that’s affecting production on sow farms, industry insiders have said. Researchers said there appeared to be a growing trend of lower mortality from ASF with more clinical symptoms that are not easy to detect and difficult to control. These characteristics have also been attributed to strains believed to have been made for use in illicit vaccines. But the researchers said that with the prolonged period of ASF circulating in China, natural variants would inevitably appear.

New SoundByte: Nasalgen 3-PMH from Merck

Merck says its new Nasalgen 3-PMH is the first and only intranasal bovine respiratory disease vaccine to offer protection against five causes of viral and bacterial pneumonia. Intranasal administration mimics natural exposure to the most common causes of pneumonia for an effective immune response, Merck says. Nasalgen 3-PMH is approved for use in calves 1 week of age and older, and it’s been deemed safe for use in pregnant cows and calves nursing pregnant cows. More information is available in the SoundByte from Veterinary Advantage.