FMD Vaccine Development A Restrictive Process

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue authorized the movement of a live, non-infectious, genetically modified strain of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus to the mainland U.S. for continued vaccine research and development. But according to a story from Rod Bain, this approval comes with restrictions to assure safety. FMD Vaccine Development A Restrictive Process But according to a story …

Livestock, Milk Production and Income-Southern Region

Cash Receipts for Meat Animals Up/Milk Production Increased Total 2017 production of meat animals (cattle and calves and hogs and pigs) for the United States totaled 81.7 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Production increased 4 percent for cattle and calves and 3 percent for hogs and pigs. Total 2017 cash receipts from marketings of meat animals increased 7 percent to …

Perdue To Allow Modified FMD Virus Onto US Mainland

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has authorized the movement of a modified, non-infectious version of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the U.S. mainland for the purposes of continued vaccine development and study.   While modified FMD virus is unable to cause disease and presents no risk of transmitting the disease, it …

UF Shares Poultry Health Research with Commercial Farmers in Syria

The conflict in Syria has caused more than $16 billion in crop and livestock losses and destroyed farming assets, according to a 2017 report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. Since 2011, household livestock ownership in the war-torn nation has plummeted, down by 47 percent for poultry, the report states. Against that backdrop, in an area deemed not …

Broiler Producers Defying the Usual Rules of Economics

U.S. beef and pork production is rising, while beef cattle and hog prices are falling. But, more production doesn’t always mean lower prices. Gary Crawford reports the broiler industry is proving that. Broiler Producers Defying the Usual Rules of Economics Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle …

Administrative Changes Made to the Livestock Indemnity Program

Agricultural producers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced an administrative clarification nationwide to the Livestock Indemnity Program. In the event of disease, this change by USDA’s Farm …

Agri View: Avian Flu Detection

Everett Griner talks about avian flu detected on the southeast coast in today’s Agri View. He discusses how it arrived and what is being done about it. Avian Flu Detection In the world of poultry production, avian flu is the two most dreaded words a poultry farmer can hear. Avian flu is transported to commercial flocks by migratory birds. And, …

USDA Aims to Rectify Its Shortage of Veterinarians

USDA is having a hard time finding veterinarians who specialize in animal husbandry, mainly because many go into the field to work with smaller animals, like cats and dogs. But according to a story from Stephanie Ho, this week USDA is seeking veterinarians to join its food safety and inspection team. USDA Aims to Rectify Its Shortage of Veterinarians FSIS …

Japan-EU Trade Agreement Threatens U.S. Pork Exports to Japan

The Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service says a Japan-EU trade agreement threatens U.S. pork exports to Japan. Japan and the EU announced finalization of negotiations on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement in December of last year. For 2017, Japan imported $1.68 billion of pork from the U.S. and $1.69 billion from the European Union. Japan ranked as the world’s …