- On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Wisconsin agricultural commodity leaders will hold a virtual town hall to discuss the future of Wisconsin dairy and other Wisconsin ag products through the lens of trade and supply chains. The conversation, which is part of the AgTalks town hall series focusing on key U.S. ag states, comes at a time when Wisconsin’s competitiveness in agriculture is being impacted by the trade war, COVID-19, and an increase in non-US trade agreements with international customers that Wisconsin has traditionally served.
- Join Luís Mendonça, DVM, Technical Services with Merck Animal Health in a RACE-approved webinar on Sept. 15 as he shares the findings of recent research studies and discusses how technology can be used to optimize fertility. He will also discuss the pros and cons of using heat detection, or timed AI programs for first service in replacement heifers. Register here.
- A recent announcement by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations calls for a global response to African swine fever (ASF) that focuses on disease control, a collaborative framework and a business continuity plan to help protect trade against devastating losses. In recognition that pork is the world’s most consumed meat (35.6% of global meat consumption), the organizations announced a joint Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases 2020-2025. The global Initiative aims to foster national, regional and global partnerships to strengthen control measures and to minimize the impact of ASF.
- Larry Schnell of Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange in Dickinson, North Dakota, was installed president of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) at the 2020 Annual LMA Membership Meeting, held virtually on Sunday, August 23. Schnell will complete a two-year term leading the nation’s largest, livestock marketing trade association that represents more than 800 local livestock auction markets and allied businesses.
- Dairy producers seeking an increase in feed efficiency may find it in Enogen® Feed corn, according to recently published research from Penn State University. An in-seed innovation available from Syngenta Seeds, Enogen corn enzyme technology converts starch to usable sugars more quickly than other corn.
- Ralco announced that it has agreed to purchase the McLaughlin Estate outside of Marshall, Minn. to further expand research and development efforts to meet growing producer demand for their products. Ralco has been using natural approaches to improve nutrient conversion and reduce waste in plants and animals since 1971.
- Research published in the July 2020 issue of Transboundary and Emerging Diseases stated that feeding Ralco’s Dual Defender™ feed additive prevented clinical signs of disease and mortality in pigs challenged with several viruses including Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV 174), and Senecavirus A (SVA). The research study was conducted by Dr. Scott Dee, Director of Research for Pipestone Research, LLC.
- Allflex Livestock Intelligence announces the appointment of Paul Koffman to North America Lead, with responsibility for the company’s livestock identification, monitoring and traceability businesses in the United States and Canada. In his new role, Koffman will continue the legacy of customer focus and innovation that symbolizes Allflex Livestock Intelligence with the goal to continue to improve dairy and beef productivity, profitability and animal well-being.
- “Feeding the People without Wasting the Planet” is the title of a webinar with Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the University of California, Davis on Sept. 1. Register here.
- In the aftermath of the derecho, the extreme weather event that devastated several communities across Iowa on August 10, Alltech has established the Iowa Derecho Devastation Relief Fund to match donations dollar for dollar and provide goods and services to farmers and their local communities who have been directly impacted.
- Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 52nd Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be entirely virtual on September 23-24, 2020. Registration is free for all participants.
