TheBeefSite Newsletter - 11 April 2012

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Schmallenberg update

With the Schmallenberg virus having been found in eight European countries, nearly 3000 cases have been confirmed. It seems that the number of cases in cattle have almost doubled over the last month, with 590 confirmed cases. On the other hand cases in sheep appear to be slowing down.

As a result of trade restrictions on live cattle, predominantly by Turkey and Russia, cattle exports are expected to fall by 200,000 head.

A study carried out in Germany has confirmed that humans cannot be infected by the Schmallenberg virus.

In February, scientists at the Robert Koch Institute, took blood samples from 60 sheep farmers, whose flocks were infected with Schmallenberg. No antibodies associated with the virus were found in the blood samples, demonstrating that the farmers had not been infected with the virus.

Research in Wales is looking at new ways of controlling midge populations to minimise the risk of the disease. The research team already knew that the entomopathogenic - insect-killing - fungus could successfully kill larvae of the midge Culicoides nubeculosus.

Work in the laboratories at Swansea, Wales has now shown that the V275 strain of the fungus has potential for use in control programmes as it also kills the adult midge, with some applications in the laboratory having a 100 per cent success rate within five days.

Now the team is at looking at smart ways of using this fungus, trialling different lures to attract the adult midges to baits contaminated with fungal spores, which will maximise the kill rate, reduce the amount of fungus needed and be very precise in delivering it just to the target insect species.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

Linking Expressed Genome to Environment: Epigenetics
An overview of the importance of epigenetics in animal breeding and research to characterise epigentics from the final scientific report from the EU group, Sustainable Animal Breeding (SABRE) subtitled 'Cutting Edge Genomics for Sustainable Animal Breeding'.

Cattle Feeders Should Understand Grid Marketing
Amy Radunz from the University of Wisconsin looks at the importance of grid marketing for beef and explains what the price for a grid is based on.

Lameness in Newly Arrived Feedlot Calves
Lameness affects performance, animal welfare (in the feedlot and in transport) and economics. The incidence of lameness varies, and different types of lameness have different causes (e.g. genetic predisposition, frostbitten feet, footrot, nutrition, mycoplasma, injury, etc.). Research by the Canadian beef industry is investigating P3 necrosis in feedlot cattle.

Emerging Threats Quarterly Report - October-December 2011
After cases in Wales, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency report for October to December 2011 has reported the first case of psoroptic mange in cattle in Northern England.

Market Reports

» GB Animal Feed Statistical Notice
» World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates April 2012

Company News

IVCC and Pfizer to Collaborate with CVMA
CHINA - The Chinese Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the International Veterinary Collaboration for China (IVCC), a consortium of leading veterinary medical schools in the United States and United Kingdom and Pfizer Animal Health, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding through which the CVMA will collaborate with the IVCC to advance veterinary medical education and animal health in mainland China.

New Director of Pfizer US Veterinary Medical Services
US - Pfizer Animal Health announced today that it has named Dr Christine Jenkins to the position of Group Director of US Veterinary Medical Services.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News