Beltway Beef Audio News

Apr 13, 2012

NCBA supports a strong research title within the 2012 Farm Bill. Farm bill research dollars are used to fund critical scientific studies to improve the health, well-being and sustainability of the U.S. beef cattle industry. NCBA will be encouraging Congress to adequately fund the research title to ensure necessary research is being done to combat emerging diseases, discover new production practices, improve environmental stewardship and improve the long-term viability of America’s cattlemen and women.

NCBA will work with members of Congress to stress the importance of the research title. The organization is fortunate to have members of Congress like U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) who vocally support the research title. In fact, he says it was a “victory” that Congress was able to sustain funding for research in the 2008 Farm Bill. He says the research title is one very important thing the federal government can do to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of producing food and fiber for the world.

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Source: NCBA.

Video: Season 6, Episode 6: The Science Behind Sudden Sow Deaths

Recent necropsies have revealed new insights into unexplained sow deaths, helping producers better understand the causes behind these losses. A recent study led by Laura Solis, a graduate student at Iowa State University, examined why these deaths occur, many around farrowing. In some cases, animals were sent to the lab for further analysis, as discussed by Dr. Marcelo Almeida, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. The episode also features Dr. Chris Rademacher, clinical professor and swine extension veterinarian as well as associate director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, who asks questions of what seasonal factors there were and management strategies that can influence herd health outcomes.