News Update
December 07, 2017
Ringworm in Cattle
Ringworm, an unsightly skin disease, is contagious from animal to animal and can be transmitted between species. A person may be at risk for contracting ringworm when handling affected animals. Andi Lear, clinical instructor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, says nearly any type of ringworm can be spread from one species to another. Animals, including humans, can get ringworm if they have a skin abrasion and a compromised immune system.
Ringworm usually appears during winter because the causative fungi thrive in a damp, dark environment.
“The literature tells us that in many herds about 20% of the cows may carry some of these fungi, but the organisms may not always cause ringworm except in susceptible individuals,” she says.
Young animals, such as a group of yearling heifers, may be more vulnerable, as are old or immune-compromised animals. Animals with skin abrasions — maybe scraped while fighting one another, when put through a chute or being moved through the brush — may get ringworm.
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Ag Census Under Way
Farmers and ranchers across America will have their voices heard in the USDA Census of Agriculture, and the data collected in the coming months will certainly help shape agricultural policy for years to come.
The census began in 1840 and is conducted every five years to get a complete picture of American agriculture.
Farm operations that produced and sold at least $1,000 of agricultural product in 2017 are included. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started mailing surveys to producers of all sizes in December, and responses should be collected by Feb. 5.
The resulting data will be used by farmers, ranchers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers, academics and many others to help make important decisions in farm policies, technology development, rural development, and more, according to USDA.
For example, the last census helped quantify several important trends in agriculture, such as the number of farms selling directly to consumers and retailers, a 144% increase in farms using renewable energy and the upward march of farm expenses — a trend that has continued even as crop prices have fallen, precipitating an historical decline in net farm income.
For more information about the census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. Read the release online.
NCBA Welcomes Updates to Beef Standards
In response to the notice from the USDA that it is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef (beef standards) Dec. 6, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Craig Uden said:
“Today’s update to the beef standards will benefit U.S. beef producers in every segment of our industry. By basing carcass quality grades on the most current scientific data available, we will improve grading accuracy and ensure that producers are getting maximum value out of each head. We are grateful to Secretary Perdue and the staff at USDA for implementing this decision, which demonstrates their continued commitment to supporting American cattlemen and women.”
Following a petition led by NCBA, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that dentition and documentation of actual age will now be used as additional methods for classifying maturity of carcasses. The full notice in the Federal Register can be found here.
Dentition is a method for measuring the age of cattle based on their teeth. Cattle with fewer than three incisors are classified as less than 30 months of age (MOA). Three or more incisors indicate cattle are more than 30 MOA.
For more information, view the full NCBA news release online.
Cold and Flu: Prevention, Symptoms, Treatments
Cold and flu viruses are always around, so why do we seem to be especially vulnerable during the fall and winter months?
For the most part, it’s because we spend more time indoors, and the viruses that cause the sniffles, congestion and body aches of a cold or the flu can spread more easily from person to person.
You can fight back by adopting healthy habits and by using medicines and vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to combat and help prevent the flu.
Most viral respiratory infections, like a cold, come and go within a few days, with no lasting effects. However, some cause serious health problems. In addition, people who use tobacco or who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to respiratory illnesses and more severe complications than nonsmokers.
Symptoms of colds usually are a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. Other symptoms include coughing, a scratchy throat and watery eyes. There is no vaccine to prevent colds, which come on gradually and often spread through everyday contact.
Learn more in the full FDA news release online.
OIE Aims to Strengthen U.S. Livestock, Poultry Industries
The World Organization for Animal Health, also known as OIE, officially opened the U.S.-based liaison office in College Station, Texas, Nov. 6 during a ceremony at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center.
“Our modern agricultural economy is highly dependent upon two things: freedom from disease and trade,” said Melissa Berquist, director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) in College Station. “Following the outbreak of an infectious livestock or poultry disease, the ability to efficiently implement science-based standards and demonstrate freedom from disease is imperative to limiting the loss of revenue, ensuring safe trade and protecting food security.
“Better understanding global animal health and zoonotic threats improves preparedness, prevention and response. Supporting the development of science-based standards and providing effective tools and training for disease surveillance, control and eradication is at the core of the institute’s mission.”
The office is co-located with and hosted by the IIAD, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and a member of the Texas A&M University System, and an OIE collaborating center, in the specialty of biological threat reduction.
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