1. Third case of chronic wasting disease found in Sussex County deer [DE]
By Shannon Marvel McNaught
DelawareOnline.com
September 16, 2026
A third case of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer in central Sussex County has been confirmed, expanding the area where emergency hunting regulations apply.
The news comes just ahead of a previously planned community meeting on chronic wasting disease in Georgetown on Sept. 16.
Delaware is the 37th state affected by chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological illness that affects deer and other animals, such as elk and moose, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
2. USDA Launches Initiative to Bring More States into Meat Inspection
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Bulletin
September 16, 2026
USDA Launches Initiative to Bring More States into Meat Inspection
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Stand-Up Program to provide up to $50 million in new funding to help states start or expand their own meat inspection programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The program carries out President Trump's September 4 Executive Order to expand market access for American meat producers and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFSIS/bulletins/42b0f93
3. USDA announces planned reopening of Santa Teresa cattle port Sept. 24
By Erika Esquivel
KFOXtv.com
September 17, 2026
ANTA TERESA, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Thursday that the Santa Teresa livestock port of entry is expected to reopen Sept. 24, allowing cattle imports from Mexico to resume after more than a year of closure tied to concerns over New World screwworm.
Rollins made the announcement at the Santa Teresa Cattle Crossing, saying the reopening is part of a phased plan that began with the reopening of the Douglas, Arizona, port about three weeks ago.
Santa Teresa is the busiest livestock inspection port along the U.S.-Mexico border, accounting for 43% of Mexican cattle imports during the past five years, according to Rollins. Most cattle crossing through the port are sent to feedlots in Texas before entering the U.S. food supply.
4. Equine WNV Cases Confirmed in Arkansas, Wyoming, and New York
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 16, 2026
Three new equine West Nile virus (WNV) cases have been reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center:
Garland County, Arkansas: A vaccinated Thoroughbred filly at a training facility tested positive on Sept. 15 after developing clinical signs on Sept. 10, including proprioceptive deficits, twitching, hypersensitivity to noise and activity, and a fever. She is recovering.
Uinta County, Wyoming: One horse at a private facility tested positive.
St. Lawrence County, New York: An unvaccinated mare tested positive after developing clinical signs on Sept. 3, including staggering, dog-sitting, inability to rise, depression, and groaning. She was euthanized.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147217/equine-wnv-cases-confirmed-in-arkansas-wyoming-and-new-york/
5. New calculator rapidly estimates HPAI depopulation resource needs
Excel-based tool helps poultry producers and animal health officials calculate propane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen requirements.
USPOULTRYU.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Feedstuffs
September 17, 2026
When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strikes a poultry operation, responding quickly and having the right resources available are critical to controlling the spread of disease. Affected facilities may need to be depopulated within 24-48 hours of a presumptive-positive classification.
New research funded by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation has produced a practical tool designed to help poultry producers and animal health officials better prepare for these emergency situations by quickly estimating the resources needed for flock depopulation.
Project #F-115: Poultry House Mass Depopulation Calculator, was led by principal investigator Dr. Sanjay Shah, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
Available depopulation methods include nitrogen and carbon dioxide whole-house gassing, foaming and ventilation shutdown with heat, but the availability and suitability of each method can vary based on farm conditions, housing systems and environmental factors.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/poultry/new-calculator-rapidly-estimates-hpai-depopulation-resource-needs
6. Healthy Animals, Resilient Farms: A Transatlantic Dialogue on Animal Health and Welfare
NIFA Update
September 16, 2026
The Aspen Institute Germany, together with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is delighted to invite you to the virtual conference "Healthy Animals, Resilient Farms: A Transatlantic Dialogue on Animal Health and Welfare" on September 30, 2026 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CEST/Berlin / 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST via Zoom.
How can Germany and the United States work together to shape the future of animal health and welfare in the swine and poultry industries? At a time of changing consumer expectations, growing biosecurity challenges, and increasing pressure on producers, the Transatlantic Dialogue on Animal Health and Welfare will bring together farmers, veterinarians, scientists, industry representatives, and policy makers from both sides of the Atlantic to discuss animal health and welfare in swine and poultry production. Besides exploring policies, practical approaches and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation, the event will highlight recommendations developed by the fourth U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture cohort.
Confirmed speakers include Senator Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator for North Carolina, Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and former USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Dr. Franziska Kersten, Member of German Parliament and Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity and Dr. Katharina Kluge, Chief Veterinary Officer of Germany at the Ministry on Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity.
The event will be held in English. If you have any questions, please contact Ferdinand Eimler at eimler@aspeninstitute.de. We look forward to having you in the room for this important conversation!
Source: https://tinyurl.com/2y2fvagx