Dechra® enters licensing agreement with Animal Ethics
Dechra® Pharmaceuticals PLC’s Board of Directors announced it has entered a long term Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement with Animal Ethics Pty Ltd, an Australia based company focused on developing ethical pain relief products in animal health. The agreement gives Dechra the rights to sell and market Animal Ethics’ product Tri-Solfen® (Tri-Solfen) for all animal species in all international markets, excluding Australia and New Zealand.
Registration open for AABP Annual Conference
Esteemed experts in bovine medicine and practice will challenge numerous long-held myths and misinformation at the 2017 50th American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Annual Conference Sept. 14-16 in Omaha, Neb. Registration is now open at www.aabp.org. AABP President-Elect and 2017 Program Chairman, Dr. Mike Apley, says the theme “What We Know that Isn’t So” was inspired by a goal of finding where long-held beliefs may be inaccurate and impede service to beef and dairy clients or hamper the veterinarian’s ability to have a successful practice. “Our program committee, and through them our speakers, have been challenged to address areas where our thinking needs to be changed.” Apley says the general session starts with keynote speakers, Drs. Mark Graber and John Gay, who will look at clinical decision making from the human and veterinary perspective. “This meeting is really about making decisions for our patients and our careers,” Apley says. “For example, we continue our general session revisiting three of our old nemeses, Mannheimia, Ostertagia, and Salmonella, as well as catching up on how we need to think about the health of the microbiota as it relates to the health of our patients. Concurrently, the myths of ‘new graduates can’t own practices’ and ‘you won’t be able to sell a mixed-animal practice’ will be addressed in the Veterinary Practice Sustainability sessions.” Early registration for the AABP Annual Conference Sept. 14-16 ends Aug. 17. Find out more about the 2017 50th AABP Annual Conference in Omaha, Neb., at www.aabp.org.
Survey: Organic items found in more than 82 percent of American households
According to MEAT+POULTRY, a Nielsen survey revealed organic items were found on the shelves of kitchen cupboards and in the refrigerators of 82.3 percent of American households in 2016, the Washington-based Organic Trade Association said March 23. The national average climbed 3.4 percent from 2015 to 2016. North Dakota had the highest jump, increasing 14.2 percent from 2015 to 2016 to reach 85.6 percent of households. Following North Dakota in the ranking of biggest increases were Rhode Island, up 12.3 percent to 88.3 percent; Wyoming, up 10.8 percent to 90 percent; South Dakota, up 10 percent to 68.9 percent; and Wisconsin, up 9.1 percent to 77.6 percent. “These new findings show how important organic has become to millions and millions of American families everywhere – to more than 80 percent of our nation’s 117 million households, more than 80 percent of Georgia’s 3.5 million households, more than 85 percent of North Dakota’s almost 300,000 households,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and executive director of the Organic Trade Association.
Subway announces new social responsibility policies
According to a MEAT+POULTRY report, fast food chain Subway added new initiatives to the company’s social responsibility policies regarding the welfare of poultry used in Subway foods. Specifically, Subway has committed to sourcing 100 percent of its chicken from birds raised according to GAP [Good Agricultural Practice] standards for improved welfare, living conditions, activity levels and stocking density. The company expects to reach its goals in full by 2024.
USDA authorizes emergency grazing in areas impacted by wildfires
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), acting in response to a directive from President Donald J. Trump, authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands located in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas – the three states which were most heavily impacted by ongoing wildfires which began on March 6, 2017, according to a release. USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young issued a memorandum authorizing the emergency grazing of cattle by ranchers, who are facing the ruination of their herds due to lack of sufficient grazing land. The authorization is pursuant to appropriate restrictions and conservation measures, which can be found in the Acting Deputy Secretary’s memorandum.
AVMA “pleased” Sonny Perdue confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture
In a release, the AVMA said it is pleased that a veterinarian, Secretary Sonny Perdue, DVM, was confirmed to the position of United States Secretary of Agriculture. “With the country facing challenges and opportunities on issues requiring veterinary expertise, such as animal health, animal welfare and public health, having strong veterinary leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is more important than ever,” the association said in the release. “Veterinarians possess unique medical expertise that drives scientifically sound policy decisions. Veterinary leadership at all levels of the USDA is crucial to creating and executing effective policies, and Secretary Perdue’s appointment is an encouraging sign that veterinarians will continue to be valued at the agency.”
NIFA announces $2.4 million to relieve veterinary shortages
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $2.4 million in available funding to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services. Funding is made through NIFA’s Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Veterinarians play significant roles in assuring animal health and wellbeing, food safety and security, public health, and producer profitability, especially in rural areas of the country where most livestock production occurs,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “VSGP supports education and extension activities that will help veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician students gain specialized skills and provide practices with additional resources.”
All ex promotes Chuck Rogers to Northwest Regional Manager
All ex USA, part of the All ex Group, announced the promotion of Chuck Rogers to Northwest Regional Manager. In his new role, Rogers will be based in Boise, Idaho, and will oversee Sales and Marketing and technical responsibilities for Washington, Oregon and Idaho. A native of Washington State, Rogers served as a U.S. Navy aircrewman and helicopter crew chief for nine years. After his service, he attended Fullerton College and transferred to DeVry Institute of Technology in Pomona, Calif., to pursue studies in electronics and electronic engineering. He has been a member of the All ex technical team and manager of that department supporting the electronic identification products.
More than 20,000 attendees for World Pork Expo
More than 20,000 pork producers and ag professionals from throughout the world attended the 29th World Pork Expo, June 7-9, in Des Moines. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the 2017 Expo hosted more than 1,000 international guests from nearly 40 countries. Highlights included the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, a wide variety of educational seminars and Junior National swine show. “World Pork Expo gives producers the opportunity to see and touch the newest products and technologies for their pork businesses,” says Ken Maschhoff, NPPC president and Illinois pork producer. “It’s a place for producers to interact with each other and share ideas. It also gives employees at all levels a chance to learn, deepen their connection to pork production and have some fun.”
Maryland passes law banning routine use of antibiotics in healthy livestock and poultry According to a Reuters report, Maryland has become the second U.S. state to pass a law banning the routine use of antibiotics in healthy livestock and poultry, a move aimed at battling the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as “superbugs.” Maryland’s Keep Antibiotics Effective Act, which aims to end a practice that public health experts say can fuel the spread of superbugs, takes effect on Oct. 1 after Governor Larry Hogan declined to sign or veto it last week. Farmers in Maryland have until Jan. 1, 2018, to comply with the law.
