Weekly Livestock-Equine News: June 1, 2026

Liver flukes continue to expand across US cattle regions

Large animal veterinarians are warning producers about liver flukes, a parasite they say is quietly impacting cattle herds across much of the country, including places where producers historically did not have to worry about them. Flukes can lead to weight loss, lower fertility and reduced milk production in some animals. Dr. Jody Wade of Boehringer Ingelheim says only two products are really effective against liver flukes. “Unfortunately, both only kill the adult phase, so we don’t do anything for the immature stages,” she says.

Animal diseases outgrowing the spending needed to contain them: WOAH global report

As outbreaks of bird flu, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and New World screwworm spread, the financial systems meant to prevent and contain them are shrinking, warns the World Organization for Animal Health in its 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report. More than 20% of global animal production is lost to preventable disease every year, yet animal health receives less than 0.6% of total global health spending. At the same time, approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals.

California racing board expands prohibitions on pin-firing, blistering

The California Horse Racing Board approved a regulatory amendment to add pin-firing, blistering, and other counter irritants to the list of prohibited veterinary practices for all breeds running in California. (They are already prohibited for Thoroughbreds running under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules). The amendment will now go out for a 45-day notice period but could be implemented around Oct. 1.

Intervacc completes evaluation of US strain of strangles pathogen

Sweden-based Intervacc reported completion of the evaluation of a U.S. strain of Streptococcus equi in U.S. horses prior to its use in a clinical trial toward the registration in the U.S. of Strangvac, a vaccine against equine strangles. The strains of S. equi that cause disease in horses around the world are closely related and display high identity at the DNA level. Evaluation of the U.S. S. equi strain called 20-091 at the Gluck Equine Research Center, Kentucky, demonstrated that it behaves identically to the strain used in the successful pivotal clinical trials in Europe.

Seaweed in cattle diets is growing topic of conversation

Scientists have discovered cattle and other ruminants already harbor gut microbes capable of digesting compounds from seaweed, even when the animals have likely never been exposed to it before. The finding suggests the ruminant microbiome may be far more adaptable to alternative feed ingredients than previously believed. Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada found the populations of specialized bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract rapidly expanded in response to the seaweed and activated enzyme systems capable of breaking down carrageenan, a complex polysaccharide found in red seaweed.

Protecting horses, livestock from wildfires

Dr. Kyle Johnson, faculty member at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, shares methods to protect herd and homestead against wildfires and how to safely evacuate animals during an emergency. “Implementing features incompatible with fire growth can give owners vital time for evacuating livestock,” he says. “The goal is to create a defensible space around a barn in case of an approaching fire.” It’s important to speak with neighbors to create a plan in case evacuation of livestock is needed. “The best option may be cutting a fence to allow animals to move onto a neighbor’s property.”