Weekly livestock news: June 22, 2020

Biotech company uses cows to create human antibodies for coronavirus

A South Dakota biotechnology company is using cows to produce human antibodies to fight the new coronavirus and plans to start clinical trials this summer, Science magazine reports. Company officials want to see whether the antibodies can be used as a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. The company, Sab Biotherapeutics, genetically alters dairy cows so that certain immune cells carry the DNA that allows people to make antibodies. That allows the animals to manufacture large quantities of human antibodies against a pathogen protein injected into them, like a key protein in the coronavirus. “Essentially, the cows are used as a giant bioreactor,” said viral immunologist William Klimstra of the University of Pittsburgh.

600K hogs backlogged in Iowa

About 600,000 hogs are backlogged in Iowa due to processing plant closures and reduced operations during the pandemic, Feedstuffs reports. According to the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, almost 61,000 hogs have been euthanized. “I know a number of producers have found alternative markets, including selling live pigs direct to consumers,” said Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Producers have also sold pigs in other states, said McGonegle, who added that nutritional efforts to slow the hogs’ rate of gain have been “very, very successful.”

China steps up checks on meat and seafood after COVID cases in market

Several Chinese provinces are ramping up inspections of fresh and frozen meat and seafood, including imported products, after a new outbreak of coronavirus infections linked to a Beijing food market, Reuters reports. The increased scrutiny is raising concern over possible delays in handling cargoes or even temporary halts to imports. Beijing recently reported 79 cases over four days, the biggest concentration of infections since February, with most linked to Xinfadi, the biggest wholesale food market in Asia. While officials said on Sunday that samples taken from food products sold at markets across the city had so far all tested negative for the virus, some provinces said they’d step up food safety checks.

Sustainability is key in soybean production, industry leader says

U.S. customers are demanding sustainably produced soybeans, meaning farmers are finding new ways to meet that demand, an industry leader said. Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, gave a keynote address on climate change and the grains value chain at the recent virtual International Grains Conference. “Efficiency and conservation practices used by our farmers are not only helping preserve the planet’s resources for future generations but also helping to make U.S. soy the preferred choice for food, feed and fuel in a world where consumers across the value chain demand no less,” Sutter said. More at Feedstuffs.

Elanco under investigation for alleged securities fraud

Elanco Animal Health is under investigation for alleged securities fraud, and a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors, Feed Strategy reports. The complaint alleges that Elanco made materially false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts about its business, operations and prospects. Among other things, Elanco allegedly failed to disclose to investors that, after consolidating its distributors from eight to four, the company increased the amount of inventory, including companion animal products, held by each distributor.

Dechra takes over distribution of Dilaterol equine bronchodilator

Dechra Veterinary Products announced that it’s acquired Dilaterol, an oral bronchodilator for horses, from the Dutch veterinary pharmaceutical company LeVet. Dilaterol is an oral syrup containing 25 milligrams per milliliter clenbuterol hydrochloride, indicated to treat respiratory disease in horses. It can be used as a frontline or adjuvant therapy, according to VetSurgeon.