Volatile Cattle Markets Call For More Diligent Disease Management

October 5, 2020 | Volume 132

It’s no secret that every sector of the beef cattle industry has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. For stockers specifically, the impact is estimated at a loss of $159.98/head, which equates to $2.5 billion in damage to the entire sector. Volatile cattle prices and decreased margins make managing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) imperative to protecting the profitability of stocker operations.

In the News

Japan Confirms Outbreak of Classical Swine Fever at Gunma Pig Farm

An outbreak of classical swine fever (CSF) has been confirmed at a pig farm in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture in Japan. This is the first outbreak of this highly contagious disease in commercial hogs since March 2020.

2020 Wisconsin 4-H Livestock Judging Contest

Youth are invited register as individuals to participate and display their livestock evaluation skills in this competitive educational experience. Youth with judge seven to eight classes and enter placings through www.LivestockJudging.com. Seniors will present oral reasons via Zoom. Juniors and Seniors will also have questions for some of the classes through Livestockjudging.com

Smithfield Urges Prioritization of COVID-19 Vaccine to Ag Workers

Smithfield Foods urged government leaders to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine distribution to food and agriculture workers alongside the nation’s healthcare workers and other first responders. In a letter sent to local, state and federal leaders on Wednesday, Smithfield also called for the establishment of an Inter-Agency Commission for the Continuity of America’s Food Supply.