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WOAH warns global pig industry of sub-standard ASF vaccines

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo, Pig.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is warning veterinary authorities and the global pig industry against the use of non-compliant and poor-quality vaccines for African swine fever (ASF). In a statement issued October 18, WOAH stressed the importance of the use of only high-quality ASF vaccines with proven efficacy and safety, and which have been subject to regulatory evaluation and approval in accordance with WOAH international standards.

“The research community has been working to develop an effective vaccine and recent announcements of modified live vaccines being approved or tested in some countries have raised hopes for the availability of new effective tools to contain the ASF epidemic,” WOAH said. The use of non-compliant and poor-quality vaccines may not confer any protection against ASF and risks spreading vaccine viruses that could result in acute or chronic disease, WOAH said. Additionally, these vaccine viruses could also recombine with field strains to generate novel strains. The world’s first ASF vaccines were authorized by Vietnam in July, when two vaccines were cleared for domestic use in pigs in the country.

Approval came after widespread testing in the country’s swine herds. The government reported the vaccines to be 95% effective. The vaccines – NAVET-ASFVAC (from Navetco National Veterinary Joint Stock Co.), and the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine (from AVAC) — were jointly developed by U.S. scientists with two different commercial partners in Vietnam. In some other Asian countries, registration of the AVAC vaccine is underway. A third vaccine, DACOVAC-ASF2 vaccine from the Dabaco Group, is reportedly under evaluation in Vietnam. In the Philippines, applications are under consideration for the importation of four ASF vaccines. A Phase 1 trial was completed in May, and three farms in different provinces have been selected as the locations of Phase 2 field trials, the source reports. Authorities are awaiting complete documentation from a second vaccine company. In order to bring to an end the country’s four-year battle to eliminate ASF, the government has allocated PHP1.5 billion ($26.4 million) for the vaccination of the nation’s hogs.

Iran to produce feedstuff from lignocellulosic waste

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo.

A group of Iranian scientists have developed a method for processing lignocellulosic waste into nitrogen-rich animal feed. They claimed that this is the first-of-its-kind technology in the global feed industry. Around 21.5 million tons of lignocellulosic residues from straw are produced per year in Iran, Dr Kian Mehr, one of the chief researchers, said. These are inexpensive and abundant sources of fibre, though their use in the feed industry traditionally has been limited by low digestibility. Solving this issue has tremendous practical importance for Iran, which currently heavily depends on the import of feedstuff.

The scientists said they used nitrogen enrichment and oxidation to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass, though no additional details have been provided. A series of preliminary trials have shown that the biomass processed using the developed technology, when added to the cattle feed, also lowers methane emissions by a solid 67%. The processing takes little time, requires ambient temperature and pressure, and can be used on a wide range of biomass in a solid state without a need to recover chemicals in advance, Dr Mehr stated, speaking about the upsides of the developed method. In addition, it is almost waste-free and is not associated with the generation of any toxic by-products. The lignocellulosic waste is also good for the production of feed pellets, thanks to the high content of lignin, which is used as a natural binder. In theory, the scientists, said using lignocellulosic waste as a feed component feed manufacturers could save money on energy costs, and require less binders. On the other hand, it looks like the technology is relatively far from commercialisation. So far, the lignocellulosic waste processing has taken place only in laboratory conditions. The researchers believe they still have to shape up their method before it could be offered for mass production.

Synthetic cattle urine used in fight against malaria

Written by c001os on . Posted in Cattle, Nutrinfo.

Each year, more than 200 million people suffer from malaria around the world, and every two minutes a child dies from the disease. The disease is most common in poor areas and is itself a contributing factor to poverty: a sick person cannot perform his or her daily tasks, which can lead to a loss of income for the household. At the societal level, the healthcare system and the economy of countries, where malaria is endemic, are affected. At the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the fight against malaria continues through novel research on how to control and trap the mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite. As there is currently no effective vaccine available to prevent malaria, controlling the mosquitoes that spread the parasite is imperative for preventing the spread of the disease. However, the existing techniques for indoor malaria mosquito control have been put to the test, due to the development of pesticide resistance in mosquito populations and behavioral changes in the mosquitoes. As a result, there are now more people being bitten outdoors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative control methods that complement the current strategies and specifically focus on mosquitoes that are active outdoors. Outdoor-based traps can be substantially more efficient when baited with synthetic human and animal odours. For example, it has been demonstrated that cattle urine attracts many blood sucking insects, in various physiological stages and different species of mosquitoes. Adult female malaria mosquitos use the urine as a supplementary nitrogen–rich meal, enhancing flight mobility, survival and reproductive traits. Researchers from SLU took this into account when they initially developed a synthetic cattle urine odour to lure malaria mosquitoes into traps. During one year, the researchers collected seasonal information on the malaria mosquito species populations along with data on the presence and prevalence of malaria in mosquitoes and humans. At the onset of the second year, they installed 50 traps baited with the synthetic cattle urine odour, powered by solar panels, in one of the villages and continued collecting entomological and parasitological data. By mass trapping, they were able to reduce the population of malaria mosquitoes by up to 70% and malaria prevalence by up to 60%, despite a major malaria epidemic affecting the region, said Professor Rickard Ignell, Department of Plant Protection Biology, SLU.

Digital radiography solution could transform poultry breeding

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo, Poultry.

A fast, safe method of analysing bone density in live hens could help poultry producers select the optimum birds with which to breed, to improve animal health and welfare. Scientists at the Roslin Institute have developed a digital X-ray procedure that takes around 45 seconds to conduct, is practical for hens and poultry workers, and delivers reliable, reproducible results.

Their novel method presented in British Poultry Science enables breeders to consider bone density in their selection of laying hens, which are at risk of fractures from biological changes linked with laying eggs. Recent advances in digital X-ray technology have enabled researchers to develop their technique to capture and interpret images relating to bone density. Their method involves quickly capturing digital X-rays of live hens, from which their leg bone density can be calculated, and data digitally shared. Researchers optimised their method to ensure a clear image in minimal exposure time. Their approach was validated by comparing results from chicken X-rays with those from analysis of chicken leg bones.

The procedure, which takes about 45 seconds, offers a fast, practical alternative to conventional imaging techniques such as Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Digitised Fluoroscopy and CT scans. Strong bones offer improved health and reduced risk of fractures in birds that have freedom to move around their environment. The keel bone, or sternum, of hens is particularly prone to damage and previous research by the same team has shown that leg bone density is genetically related to that of the keel bone, and to fracture risk. The new practical way to measure bone density also has animal welfare implications, as it could help reduce the number of animals needed for research into nutritional and management aids for bone health.

Escalation of the Gaza conflict will have profound, biting and worldwide impact

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo.

Rabobank, assessing the impact of the conflict in Israel on food, energy, and fertilizer trends, says that if it is contained to the Israel and Gaza region it may not move the needle too much for energy, commodity or livestock prices. Mike Every, Rabobank’s global strategist and geopolitics expert, and Stefan Vogel, general manager RaboResearch for Australia and New Zealand, discussed the current situation in the Middle East and its potential impact for farmers in a podcast this week. If Israel moves into Gaza, and initiates a ground offensive, there is a very high probability that the Iranian backed and funded militia, Hezbollah, based in south Lebanon, would open fire on Israel and start a two-front war (these two steps have already been taken – ed.). And were that to happen, it is extremely likely that other Iranian backed forces such as militias in Yemen, in Iraq, and in Syria would also move towards the border and open fire with whatever missile forces they have. [In such a scenario] it is naive to think Iran would not press other buttons it has available at its disposal which would include trying to whip up an uprising in the West Bank and potentially even amongst Israeli Arabs.

Eventually, the conflict could spread even further, developing into a broad regional war with no easy resolution on top of the world’s major energy reserves. Oil and diesel prices would soar in such an escalation of the conflict, with oil potentially rising to $150 per barrel. “In a nutshell, if we get into that scenario, it is akin to what we saw in the 1970s after the Yom Kippur war when the Arab economies decided to restrict flows of oil to the US, and then again in 1979 after we had the Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis, when Iran did the same thing. The economic effects would be deep, biting and felt worldwide,” warned Every.

The geopolitical expert is worried about the propensity for the dominos to topple much quicker than commentators are currently predicting, as fear about security in Israel is climbing rapidly. He also outlined how there may be an incentive for other global powers such as China and Russia to support Iran and try and humiliate the US and Israel in the Middle East region, keep them bogged down in a big war, distract the US from Ukraine and also from its military build-up in East Asia to protect Taiwan. “This is not a forecast, but it is a worryingly logical set of events which, if they were to transpire, would happen faster than you think.” The implications, evidently, of such escalation of the war for the food, agriculture, and energy markets would be quite devastating.

First complete corn genome map created

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo.

In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists, led by University of Nebraska–Lincoln researcher James Schnable, have successfully mapped the complete genome of corn. This milestone development promises to revolutionize the future of agriculture, offering invaluable insights into crop health, resilience, and productivity. Published recently in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics, the study represents a significant leap forward in the field of genetics, coming on the heels of the human genome’s complete mapping just a year ago. The corn genome, due to its sheer size and complexity, has long posed a formidable challenge for scientists seeking to decode its genetic makeup.

Over the years, technology has made strides in this area, with the first draft of the corn genome emerging in 2009. However, numerous gaps remained, comprising over 100,000 unresolved genetic sequences. James Schnable, the Charles O. Gardner Professor of Agronomy, explained, “Our team drew on the latest technology, plus the particular expertise of the individual team members, and that finally made possible the mapping of the complete corn genome.” A significant aspect of this achievement was the resolution of complex genetic regions containing nearly identical paralogs – genes that are so similar they were previously indistinguishable. Corn’s genetic repetition presents an extraordinary challenge, with vast stretches of genetic material intermingled, making it difficult to pinpoint individual gene functions.

The fully sequenced corn genome holds immense potential for developing improved corn varieties by enhancing the understanding of how genetic differences influence traits. Schnable explained, “Rather than conducting selection, we will have the potential to design and engineer corn varieties to adapt to changing climates and grow in more nitrogen-limited conditions.” Now that the corn genome is fully sequenced, scientists can embark on essential follow-up research to study and understand the function of individual genes previously unidentified. Schnable emphasized the university’s advantage in this endeavor, given its robust research and Extension network and the ability to grow corn varieties across a wide range of environments.

Environmental and dam risks of Johne’s Disease

Written by c001os on . Posted in Cattle, Nutrinfo.

Johne’s Disease or paratuberculosis is a chronic disease of ruminants which is responsible for large economic losses in the dairy sector. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), which typically infects calves that remain latently infected during a long period, making early detection of infection especially challenging. Cow-to-calf transmission can occur in-utero via milk/colostrum or faecal-orally, so understanding the different transmission routes to calves is important in informing control recommendations. The aim of a longitudinal study carried out by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College was to measure the association between the transmission routes via the dam and the environment on a calf that subsequently tested serologically positive for MAP. The study comprised of 439 UK dairy calves from 6 herds enrolled between 2012 and 2013. These calves were followed from birth until 2023. Individual calf data was captured at birth. During follow-up, individuals entering the milking herd were quarterly tested for the presence of MAP antibodies using milk ELISA. Cox regression models were used to measure the association between exposure from the dam (in-utero and/or colostrum) or from the environment (long time in dirty yard) and time to first detection of MAP infection. In conclusion, the researchers found that: 1) Map infection risk is partly driven by the dam’s infection status. 2) Calves from infected dams have higher MAP infection risk, regardless of the dam’s test status at calving. 3) Spending prolonged time in a dirty yard increases the risk of MAP infection. 4) The dam’s impact on MAP risk extends beyond colostrum transmission. 5) MAP persistence in commercial dairy herds results from a combination of dam-related and environment-related factors.

Remarkable progress in sourcing soy responsibly in Europe

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo.

Results published in the European Soy Monitor 2021, points to 40% of soybean meal equivalent of total European soy consumption to be sourced according to the FEFAC Soy Sourcing guidelines and 24% certified deforestation-free soy. The report also refers to FEFAC’s initial risk assessment which estimates that just under 94% of EU soy imports were sourced from low-deforestation regions, based on EU trade statistics and industry expert assessments. The figures show good progress continues to be made. Since the publication of the first European Soy Monitor of 2018 estimations, the provisional data for 2021 indicates that FEFAC members reported an increase of 21% over the past 3 years. However, the 40% figure was slightly lower than the 43.8% recorded in 2020. Pedro Cordero, FEFAC president, welcomed the latest figures: “I am pleased with the continued positive trend that the European feed sector and its supply chain partners have been able to display as regards the industry’s use of responsible soy. FEFAC’s internal estimates indicate that a significant part of soy used in the EU in 2021 came from regions with low deforestation risk, including the EU, United States, Canada and Ukraine. These sources are considered “deforestation-free”, although not officially certified as such. The soybean trade itself has remained relatively unaffected. Brazil and the United States continue to be the world’s biggest producers and China by far the biggest soy consuming country. European soy production increased from 2.68m tonnes in 2020 to 2.71m in 2021.

Positive outlook for the global poultry market as challenges ease

Written by c001os on . Posted in Nutrinfo, Poultry.

Global poultry market growth in 2023 is expected to be slow, reaching only 1%, according to a recent report from Rabobank. Global poultry markets are well positioned to gradually improve in Q4 2023 and early 2024, although the level will depend on how well-balanced they are. After a period of slow poultry consumption growth due to a weak global economy and rising prices resulting from cost increases, global demand has room for some recovery, driven mainly by lower feed costs and, therefore, lower chicken prices. Markets will stay highly price-driven, but poultry should be able to benefit from its relatively competitive pricing in many markets compared to other proteins like beef, pork, and alternative proteins. Rabobank sees improving market conditions in the US, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Indonesia, and China. However, the situation in Indonesia and China will be fragile.

The EU market has been strong, but high levels of fresh chicken imports are creating pressure. Brazil and Thailand face more challenging conditions and will need more supply growth discipline in oversupplied domestic markets. Global trade is expected to stay strong in 2H 2023 after reaching a record-high 7.2 million tonnes in the first half of the year, driven entirely by increased trade of raw poultry meat, while trade in processed poultry meat dropped sharply. Amid more price-driven markets, consumers’ product preferences are changing, and this trend is expected to continue in 2H 2023 and into 2024. Government interventions driven by food security, geopolitics, and sustainability will continue to impact markets and create volatility in global trade. Avian influenza will remain an important factor that could suddenly impact global markets, from both a local supply perspective and a trade perspective, especially if Brazil’s southern states are hit. Producers should maintain focus on the operational side.

Although we believe feed prices will drop slightly, operational costs are still at historic highs, and risks of further volatility exist in grain prices (due to El Niño) and in energy prices and availability. Ongoing leadership in terms of costs and procurement will remain key. Additionally, producers should fine-tune supply to changes in poultry demand related to products, distribution, and market development.

When might amino acid supplement be needed to boost milk yield?

Written by c001os on . Posted in Cattle, Nutrinfo.

When dairy cows are fed diets with reduced protein concentrations – aimed at decreased environmental nitrogen pollution from their manure such as nitrate leaching, nutrient-laden run-off and ammonia volatilization – their milk production can suffer. Supplementing the amino acid histidine may help in maintaining, and even increasing, milk and milk-protein yields. That’s the conclusion of a new study conducted by an international research team led by Alexander Hristov, a senior researcher at Penn State University. The researchers recently published their findings in the Journal of Dairy Science. Histidine is an essential amino acid for protein synthesis, Hristov explained. He added that earlier studies in Europe have shown that low histidine levels can limit milk production in dairy cows fed diets based on grass silage, which is the predominant forage in Northern Europe. Limited histidine was not considered a challenge for dairy cows fed typical North American diets until research conducted in Hristov’s lab in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State a few years ago revealed the problem. In those experiments, blood histidine concentrations dropped significantly when cows were fed reduced-protein diets aimed at curbing nitrogen losses and ammonia emissions from manure.

The recently published series of experiments also confirmed the importance of histidine to maintain milk production and milk protein content when cows were fed diets with reduced protein concentration. “The culmination of this research was the recently published meta-analysis of 17 studies which concluded that histidine supplementation of dairy cow diets increased feed dry matter intake, milk yield and milk protein concentration,” Hristov said. “Notably, and as Penn State research has shown, the increase in milk protein concentration with histidine supplementation was up to four times greater for cows fed diets that had lowered protein content than diets formulated to provide adequate protein intake, according to diet-formulation models.” Histidine is unique among the essential amino acids because there are body reserves that can serve as sources of histidine and mask short-term deficiencies, Hristov said.

For that reason, histidine effects in dairy cows should be studied in long-term, continuous-design experiments. “Further, microbial protein synthesized in the rumen – which is the main source of amino acids for the cow – is low in histidine, relative to other potentially milk-limiting amino acids,” Hristov said. “That supports our hypothesis that histidine becomes the first limiting amino acid when cows are fed low-protein diets. So, the role of microbial protein as a source of amino acids for milk protein synthesis and body functions becomes even more critical.”