John Maday
Cattle temperament, immunity and performance
Flighty cattle are difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle, and according to a report from USDA and university researchers, they could be better at concealing disease. According to a recent article in Agricultural Research magazine, from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reducing adverse consequences of stressful incidents and identifying animals that may react differently to stressors may benefit cattle’s growth and health.
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NAHMS report profiles small feedlot practices
A significant percentage of operators of small feedlots are not familiar with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, according to the new feedlot report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). The numbers suggest opportunities for further education, particularly as cattle feeders who are familiar with the BQA program appear to place more importance on BQA practices than those unfamiliar with the program.
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NAHMS feedlot reports indicate informational opportunities
Cattle feeders strongly believe in the effectiveness of pre-arrival management practices such as weaning vaccines, parasite control and weaning four weeks prior to shipment, but they often do not have access to management history on cattle they feed. That’s one example of opportunities for improvements in information sharing and education revealed in a new feedlot report from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) a division of APHIS Veterinary Services.
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Tyson expanding FarmCheck program to beef
Tyson foods is in the process of developing an audit system for its beef suppliers this year, with a plan to launch the beef version of its “FarmCheck” program in 2014. The program will involve audits of beef operations along the supply chain, focusing largely on animal welfare.
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Opening packing house doors
AMI’s Jane Riley discusses the response to its “Glass Walls Project,” developed with Dr. Temple Grandin to offer the public an objective, non-scripted look at livestock slaughter.
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A frank discussion in Fort Collins
Proposed new rules for veterinary oversight of antimicrobials in animal agriculture attracted a mix of comments and questions as representatives of the FDA and USDA/APHIS held a public meeting on the subject in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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College Aggies Online : This year’s winner
College Aggies Online is an advocacy program managed by the Animal Agriculture Alliance, encouraging college students to tell ag’s story.
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Rename FMD?
Words, as we know, have the power to foster understanding and also the power to confuse or mislead. In the realm of disease, that confusion was evident during the 2010 pandemic of H1N1 influenza, when use of the term “swine flu” damaged pork demand as consumers feared they could contract the disease from pork.
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Activists at the door
At the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholder Summit last week, the alliance’s president and CEO, Kay Johnson-Smith describes the theme of the summit, which focused on animal welfare, activists and consumer perceptions.
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Nominate influential veterinarians
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“Glocal” food and college dining
Today’s college students live in a global society, but want local foods. They want value and authenticity. They want it all, but at a good price. Those were a few of the messages from Ron Morasco, an executive chef who now serves as senior director, offer development – campus services for food-service company Sodexo USA.
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- Commentary: New rules un-COOL
- Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
- TSCRA works with sale barns to catch Houston cattle thief
- More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
- NASA backs 3D food printer to feed growing population
- Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
