Latest news with #livestock
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Kelantan man seriously injured after being gored by cow meant for Aidiladha sacrifice
KOTA BARU, June 3 — A 35-year-old man was seriously injured after being gored by a cow he was raising as livestock in Kampung Neman, near Jelawat, Bachok, last Friday. Kelantan Health Department director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the victim sustained serious abdominal injuries from a deep and wide wound caused by the animal's horns. 'The victim was first taken to Bachok Hospital for treatment, after his family rushed him there following the incident. However, he was later referred to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II) here, where he successfully underwent surgery,' he told Bernama today. He said the victim's condition was now stable, but the hospital would monitor the wound for possible infection. It is understood that the man was gored by the cow when it suddenly turned on him as it was being ushered into the pen at about 7pm. The cow was to be sold and handed over to a buyer in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration. — Bernama
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman ensures steady supply of livestock ahead of Eid
Muscat – Authorities in Oman have confirmed sufficient livestock supplies and stable market prices across the country ahead of Eid al Adha, in a move aimed at ensuring consumer confidence during the festival. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR), in coordination with the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), has taken steps to maintain smooth supply chains and prevent any price manipulation. Dr Masoud bin Suleiman al Azri, Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the ministry, said that around 318,000 goats and sheep, and 25,000 cattle are currently available in markets across all governorates. He added that a further 50,000 sheep are expected to arrive in the coming days. 'These quantities are sufficient to meet demand during the Eid season,' Dr Azri said. 'The increased supply will not affect market prices or availability.' MAFWR and CPA are jointly monitoring the markets to ensure livestock are sold at fair prices and meet acceptable quality standards throughout the country. To protect public health, consumers have been advised to verify the health of animals before purchase and ensure they show no visible signs of disease. Authorities strongly recommend using approved municipal slaughterhouses, which follow hygiene protocols and ensure safe disposal of waste. The ministry has reminded the public to take necessary precautions during the slaughter process. Livestock should be inspected for parasites such as ticks, though their presence is not always an indication of disease. Those handling the animals should be in good health, free from open wounds, and wear protective clothing. Improper disposal of slaughter waste, such as dumping in open areas, poses risks of disease transmission. The ministry has also issued a warning about zoonotic diseases, particularly Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a viral infection transmitted by ticks with a high fatality rate. Transmission can occur through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, or via insects such as mosquitoes and fleas. These measures are part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to raise awareness and ensure public safety during the Eid season. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to adhere strictly to the guidelines for a safe and healthy celebration. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Mail & Guardian
9 hours ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Biosecurity is vital for SA's successful agricultural growth and export strategy
South Africa needs to bolster its biosecurity to control the spread of disease in livestock and poultry. Animal and plant health is the bedrock of a thriving agricultural industry and its export strategy. The success of South Africa's agricultural export strategy over the past few decades, which has seen the value of exports grow from $2.4 billion in 2001 to $13.7 billion in 2024, speaks to the strength of the controls implemented over that period. But there are now weaknesses. In recent years, South Africa has experienced frequent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and African swine fever. These suggest two problems: first, the growing weaknesses in the country's biosecurity controls, and the potential effect of climate change, which can lead to frequent disease outbreaks as a result of extreme events. These problems are not unique to South Africa. We have seen outbreaks of As a country with ambitions to expand exports of red meat and other livestock products, South Africa will need a robust approach to control disease spread and surveillance for potential risks. South Africa should also continue reviving vaccine production in various entities, such as the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), Moreover, the The key is that the sector puts a more focused effort in this area and leverages both academic and private sector capabilities to ensure that South Africa is in a better position regarding animal disease. Anecdotally, it also appears that the changing climate is leading to more disease outbreaks than in the past, which again calls for South Africa to devote more resources to addressing the problem. There needs to be sufficient capital for the regulatory bodies monitoring imports, so that swift actions can be taken to minimise risks when some of the trading partners are affected. Indeed, regulators must always make such decisions independently, after carefully assessing the risks. Moreover, the biosecurity efforts should not be limited to livestock and poultry. While these industries have faced frequent issues, plant health is another area requiring consistent monitoring. There must be continuous surveillance on crops and various fruits. As with livestock, collaborative efforts with academia and the private sector in these areas must continue. There are already partnerships with scientists from some commodity associations and the government. Such collaborations should be nurtured as they remain central to South Africa's agricultural success. Another vital dimension is the agility in registering vaccines, agrochemicals and genetics. The changing environment means that the innovation of scientists and breeders must also be faster. But that will not be the end. The regulators must still satisfy themselves independently of any agrochemical, vaccine, or genetically improved plant. This process also requires an even greater amount of human capital to handle the anticipated increase in requests and demand in the new environment. Ultimately, the success of South Africa's agriculture in delivering a national food-secure country that we enjoy, with nearly a million jobs in farming, and exports of about $13.7 billion, all hinge on biosecurity. Therefore, this area must continue to be a priority, not only in words but also in efforts. The responsibilities lie with both the private sector and the government. Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Nigeria imports Danish cows in bid to slash $1.5 billion milk import bill
ABUJA, June 2 (Reuters) - Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years, part of a plan to cut dairy imports that cost the country $1.5 billion a year, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha said on Monday. Despite boasting one of Africa's largest cattle populations, Nigeria's milk output of 700,000 tonnes a year lags its annual consumption of 1.6 million tonnes. This shortfall means the country imports around 60% of its milk. "Our goal is ambitious but achievable; to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years," he said. Maiha said Nigeria's cattle population, exceeding 20 million, consists largely of low-yield pastoralist breeds. A Nigerian farm has already imported over 200 heifers from Denmark, building its herd through intensive breeding, Maiha said. So far, eight new pasture species have been registered, the first in 48 years, and a national strategy for animal genetic resources with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization has been launched, he said. "With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength," Maiha said.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
How flesh-eating screwworms in cattle could raise U.S. beef prices
CHICAGO -- New World Screwworm, a devastating parasite that eats cattle and other wild animals alive, is traveling north from Central America to Mexico and has crept past biological barriers that kept the pest contained for decades, experts said. Washington halted cattle imports from Mexico in May, citing the insect's spread further into Mexico, about 700 miles from the Texas border. With the U.S. cattle herd already at a multi-decade low, the closure could further elevaterecord-high beef prices by keeping more calves out of the U.S. cattle supply. What is New World Screwworm? Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. Livestock and wild animals are usually the victims. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of screwworm larvae use their sharp mouths to burrow through living flesh -- feeding, enlarging the wound and eventually killing their host if left untreated. When screwworms infect a cow, a tiny scrape, a recent brand or a healing ear tag can quickly become a gaping wound, carpeted with wriggling maggots that put the entire herd at risk of infestation. Screwworms were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s when researchers began releasing massive numbers of sterilized male screwworm flies who mate with wild female screwworms to produce infertile eggs. Why does this matter to U.S. consumers? The U.S. typically imports over a million cattle from Mexico every year. The import suspension will likely contribute to rising beef prices by tightening the supply of beef cattle, which dwindled after drought forced ranchers to slash herds. U.S. beef prices likely also got a boost from a separate import suspension from Mexico over screwworms that lasted from November to February, experts said, and upward pressure on prices should persist through summer grilling season. Mexican cattle are usually fed and fattened on U.S. farms for five to six months before slaughter, and a diminished slaughter rate can elevate beef prices. Though the fly is hundreds of miles away from the border, any outbreak in the U.S. would further tighten the cattle supply and put other livestock and household pets at risk. Screwworms will even feed on humans if they can, said Dr. Timothy Goldsmith, a veterinary medicine professor at the University of Minnesota. Homeless people would be especially vulnerable to infestation because they sleep outside and have less access to hygiene products and medical care, Goldsmith said. What is being done to control the outbreak? A factory designed to breed and sterilize screwworms in Panama is releasing 100 million sterile flies every week, but experts say more factories need to come online quickly to choke off the fly's spread north. Screwworms cannot fly more than 12 miles on their own, but they can cover large distances while burrowed inside their hosts, said Sonja Swiger, entomologist at Texas A&M University. The flies have already passed through the narrowest stretches of land in Panama and Mexico, meaning exponentially more sterile flies need to be released to control the outbreak. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would invest US$21 million to convert a fruit fly factory in Mexico to produce sterile screwworms. The agency said the border will likely re-open to cattle imports by the end of the year. How could this impact American cattle ranchers? The USDA estimated a screwworm outbreak would cost the Texas economy $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication expenses. After decades of eradication, most cattle ranchers no longer have the experience or tools to diagnose and treat screwworm. Infestations can be cured, but treatment involves removing hundreds of larvae and thoroughly disinfecting wounds, a time-consuming, pricey and labor-intensive process. 'This is a pest we don't want back. This is a bad thing,' said David Anderson, livestock economist at Texas A&M University. 'I can't imagine having to deal with that. It's gross.' (Reporting by Heather Schlitz. Editing by Emily Schmall and David Gregorio)
