Weekly Livestock-Equine News: November 9, 2026

H5N1 vaccine candidate for dairy cows shows promise

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania evaluated an mRNA–lipid nanoparticle (mRNA–LNP) vaccine designed to help dairy cows fight off H5N1. Vaccinated cows had peak levels of H5N1 viral RNA approximately 1,000 times lower than unvaccinated cows. In the unvaccinated group, viral RNA appeared in milk just one day after inoculation and remained detectable throughout the study. Viral RNA levels were significantly lower in vaccinated cows at days 1 to 3, day 5 and days 8 to 13 after inoculation.

Genetic tools give dairy farmers a boost against calfhood diseases

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding has rolled out genetic traits focused on youngstock health: Resistance to Respiratory Problems and Resistance to Diarrhea. The evaluations, available for Holstein and Jersey cattle with additional breeds expected to follow, mark the first national selection tools designed to address health concerns prior to weaning and entering the lactating herd. The Council warns that while genetic selection against health issues yields long-term cumulative improvements, it is meant to complement—not replace—proper colostrum management, calf nutrition and biosecurity protocols.

Survey explores vets’ perceptions of how illness, injury affect horses’ welfare

Equine welfare assessments in veterinary settings often focus on physical health, leaving questions about the horse’s mental experience less clearly defined, according to researchers at Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Canada. They hope that findings from a recent survey may help identify common behavioral descriptors associated with different health conditions and levels of stress. This could provide a foundation for future research and the possible development of practical welfare assessment tools for equine veterinarians.

The early life of bovine respiratory viruses

Using advanced sequencing and bioinformatics methods, researchers from Canada and China examined the viruses and bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of beef calves from birth to weaning over the first six months of life. The team tracked changes in viral communities over time and explored interactions between viruses that infect bacteria and their bacterial hosts. The findings are said to provide insights into how respiratory microbial communities develop early in life and how viruses may evolve across different host species.

UK researchers to examine social, economic forces driving the spread of ASF

Researchers at the University of Sheffield are bringing together experts in bioscience, mathematics, economics and behavioral science to investigate how factors beyond the African swine fever virus itself contribute to its spread. Focusing on the UK and Southeast Asia, they will model how the disease could spread and assess the economic impacts of different outbreak-response measures. The aim of the project, called ASF Nexus, is to develop predictive tools, guidance for farming communities and evidence-based policy recommendations.

USDA releases second report the Beef Feedlot 2021 Study

Key findings from the study include: 12.2% of cattle on U.S. feedlots were affected with respiratory disease in 2020; 83.7% of feedlots used antibiotics for at least one animal; and 80.8% of feedlots that processed any cattle as a group within four weeks of arrival vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea, 70.1% against clostridial diseases and 87.6% against respiratory disease. Almost 84% administered a parasiticide to all cattle. Feedlot 2021 is the fifth national study of U.S. feedlots conducted by APHIS’ National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). The study included 22 states, with small feedlots participating from 18 states and large feedlots from 17 states.