Merck Animal Health has announced the U.S. approval of ZUPREVO (tildipirosin) – a novel, new macrolide antibiotic for the management of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) that offers excellent combination of effectiveness and convenience. ZUPREVO is indicated for the treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle, and for the control of respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with these bacterial pathogens.

The high price of feed coupled with the lowest milk prices since January 2011 are putting some New Mexico dairies out of business, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Luke Woelber of Belen’s H.A.W. Farms, president of the Dairy Producers of New Mexico, told the newspaper that he knows of five New Mexico dairies that have closed in the face of feed costs that have doubled in the past two or three years. The closed operations range in size from small to bigger than average and were all in the eastern and southern part of New Mexico, he said.

The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX), a new large-scale dairy event and a first ever for Canada, will mix dairy agribusiness, breed associations, and the research community under one huge roof with dairy producers and global industry stakeholders. In addition to hundreds of dairy product and service providers in the tradeshow halls, the event will feature a world-class speaker program, live milking robot showdown, working cow showcase, and an evening networking social. All will take place February 6-7, 2013, in the new world-class Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario.

Pfizer Inc. has announced the next steps in the strategic alternatives review process for the company's Animal Health business. Preparations are underway to file a registration statement in the U.S. for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of a minority ownership stake in the new company. Pfizer expects to provide details regarding the proposed transaction as part of its 2012 second quarter earnings announcement.

Reducing phosphorus in dairy diets doesn’t change a cow’s productivity but it does affect the environmental impact that cow might have, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist. Dr. Ellen Jordan, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist in Dallas, said she has long worked with nutrition consultants on reducing ration phosphorus so the phosphorus excretion is reduced, thereby protecting the environment. Too much phosphorus in runoff can cause algal blooms. This long-term effort seems to be paying off, Jordan said. Working with other AgriLife Extension dairy personnel, their research has shown no production or animal well-being impact caused by the reduction of phosphorus.

The two organizations representing America’s dairy farmers and dairy foods companies jointly announced their opposition to a proposal in the Senate that would allow the interstate sales of raw milk. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill, No. 2180, that would allow the direct sale of raw milk and raw milk products across state lines, “greatly enhancing the chances that people will become sick because of increased consumption of unpasteurized milk,” the two groups said in a letter sent to members of the Senate.

Gerald E. Higginbotham, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAS Fresno, California Ruminants Technical Sales Manager Micronutrients

Jim Wysocki, chief financial officer of Wysocki Produce Farms in Portage County, Wisconsin, began the process of applying for the permits needed for a 3,500-cow farm in Saratoga. He also contacted local and regional officials to notify them of the company's plan for the dairy and produce operation and reached out to Gannett Central Wisconsin Media to get the word out to the public, resulting in a story in the Marshfield News-Herald.

Media attention will turn toward the Supreme Court this month for two important rulings. Did you know the federal government used Supreme Court precedence involving a dairy processor and dairy farmers to argue the constitutionality and precedence for Obamacare and the individual mandate? Contributor Ben Yale explains the context for the government’s case in his article (click here to read). The court will also issue its ruling in the matter of Arizona v. U.S., which will impact states’ legal bounds for immigration status inquiries and enforcement.