Strep Zoo Cases Prompt Calls for Stepped Up Focus on Transport Biosecurity

Nov 04, 2019

Pork producers are advised to step up their focus on transport biosecurity for cull sows and market hogs in the face of animals infected with Strep zoo showing up at slaughter. Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or Strep zoo, has been identified as a potential emerging disease threat in North America. Although the bacteria is typically naturally present in the microbiome of the pig, it has recently been linked to cases of sudden death in pigs in Manitoba and the U.S. Midwest.

Dr. Matheus Costa, an Adjunct Professor with the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine and an Assistant Professor with the University of Minnesota, says the main economic implication is with animal movement and trade, especially in the case of cull sows.

Clip-Dr. Matheus Costa-University of Saskatchewan:

What we know so far is it will lead to high mortality rates. We're talking about something between 25 and 50 percent of an affected herd dying in the case of an outbreak. Because it is part of the normal bacterial population of healthy animals, we don't know when it's coming.

We cant tell exactly what triggers it and it will just appear in a suseptible population. We're working towards understanding this problem a bit better. We're working towards clarifying what's going on when it comes to the bacteria itself, why is this bacteria potentially emerging right now and we're also working towards developing strategies to at least mitigate the infection.

Would that be an autogenous vaccine, would that be some kind of environmental disinfection? We're not quite sure yet but we have a great team together, a great set of minds looking at this aspect and will hopefully come back with better responses soon.

Source : Farmscape

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.