(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing initial plans to carry out new animal health activities using resources provided by the 2018 Farm Bill. Section 12101 of the 2018 Farm Bill established a three-part program to comprehensively support animal disease prevention and management. The bill included funding to create two …
Commodity Commission Appointments Announced
ATLANTA (GDA) – Recently, the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions ex officio committee confirmed appointments to several commodity commissions. The following appointments were made to serve three-year terms: Beef Commission John Callaway, Coweta County Ernie Ford, Calhoun County Allen Wiggins, Turner County Cotton Commission Steven Meeks, Wayne County Matt Coley, Dooly County Equine Commission Beth Williams, Oconee County Dr. Barbara Kelly, …
VSV Cases Reported in the U.S.
Last week, Colorado joined New Mexico and Texas as states affected by the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection after two horses displaying signs of the virus were tested and confirmed positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Previously, New Mexico had two VSV cases confirmed while Texas also had two cases confirmed. Colorado, New Mexico and Texas are the …
Equine Infectious Anemia-Positive Horses Confirmed in Paulding County, Georgia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) Animal Industry Division has confirmed three positive cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in quarter horses at a Paulding County facility. This makes eight confirmed cases in 2018. In compliance with federal guidelines and protocols, the affected horses were humanely euthanized. There is no cure or vaccine for EIA. The remainder of the horses …
USDA Outlines Next Steps for Advancing Animal Disease Traceability
Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs, announced USDA’s four overarching goals for advancing animal disease traceability to protect the long-term health, marketability and economic viability of the U.S. livestock industry. “The landscape surrounding animal disease traceability has changed dramatically in the past decade, and producers across the nation recognize that a comprehensive …
McMillan Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan has announced that three horses have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the department’s diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The positive results came from horses in Houston, Mobile and Geneva Counties. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality rate in horses …
UF Researchers Zero in on Potential Threat of New Mosquito Virus
A virus responsible for an illness outbreak in Venezuela is spreading to other parts of the Americas, says a University of Florida scientist who is closely monitoring the Mayaro virus. Most recently, the virus was found in a child in Haiti in 2016. Even though the virus hasn’t infected anyone in Florida or the U.S., Barry Alto, an associate professor …
Agri View: Horses in Today’s Culture
Everett Griner talks about horses and how they are used in today’s culture in today’s Agri View. Everett looks into the different things horses are used for. From rodeos, parades, cattle drives. No matter what it is, it is still work. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in …
Challenges with Wild Horses
Last month, a new report by the Government Accountability Office estimated that 200,000-some wild horses, burros, and mules, are free-roaming on federal and tribal lands. A recent report also says there could be as many as 9.2 million domesticated horses, burros, and mules in the U.S. The GAO says there are several challenges in managing the wild herd, including affording …
Georgia Offering Temporary Sheltering Facilities for Evacuated Livestock
With Hurricane Irma inching closer to Florida, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has been working with all of their state, federal and industry partners to support the safety and comfort of not only Georgia citizens and their animals, but also their Florida neighbors fleeing the storm. GDA has temporarily suspended Animal Interstate Movement Health Requirements for entry into Georgia …