- North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) recently elected new leadership, including one new board member and several new board officer appointments. Newly elected to the 15-person volunteer NAIDC Board of Directors is Dr. Alex White, faculty of Virginia Tech’s Dairy Science department, and lecturer in the Ag Economics department. The NAIDC Executive Committee for 2018-19 includes chair Maurice Eastridge, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and vice chair Mark McCullouch, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Millport, N.Y.
- Challenges to changing antibiotic use in food animal production and the associated economics, data and policy issues will be the focus of a workshop Sept. 6-7, 2018, at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service is organizing this workshop in collaboration with Farm Foundation. There is no charge to participate in this workshop, but registration is required by close of business on Aug. 30, 2018.
- In the spirit of continuing its dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration on the rules and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the American Feed Industry Association submitted comments to the agency on its draft guidance on Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals. The 38-page comments affirm the animal food industry’s commitment to a “full and successful implementation of FSMA” across its varied industries but urges the agency to take a flexible approach when regulating under this rule.
- AgriLabs® announced the commercialization of KLEBVax
SRP®, the first vaccine licensed for dairy cattle to prevent mastitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. KLEBVax SRP, which features Siderophore Receptor and Porin (SRP) technology, gives veterinarians and producers a new tool to prevent disease and reduce antibiotic use. A similar vaccine using Klebsiella SRP bacterial extract was previously offered as an autogenous product by AgriLabs in partnership with Epitopix®. - Dairy Farmers of America is helping bring innovative products to the dairy case. This week, the Cooperative announced an investment in MOPRO Nutrition (MOPRO), an all-natural, high protein, low sugar, whole milk Greek yogurt infused with whey protein combined with probiotics. MOPRO positions itself as a smarter replacement for protein bars, protein shakes and regular Greek yogurt.
- The time is approaching for this year’s International Brangus Breeders Association Fall Conference, which will be taking place in Tyler, Texas on September 27th-29th. All members and cattle enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. For more information visit www.gobrangus.com.
