1. Zoetis launches commercial BRD genetic predictions
INHERIT lets cattle producers select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.
Beef Magazine
February 9, 2026
Zoetis Inc. announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in INHERIT® Select for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time that cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.
BRD costs the beef industry nearly $1 billion each year due to calf and production losses and increased treatment expenses.1,2,3 Until now, producers had no way to evaluate and select for the genetics that influence calf BRD health and survival after weaning.
"This is a breakthrough for the beef industry," said Brett Bristol, head of Zoetis Precision Animal Health. "For the first time, producers can make selection and breeding decisions based on genomic expected progeny differences (GEPDs) for BRD health and survival, in addition to production traits. Long term, this innovation is expected to have meaningful economic impacts on commercial cow/calf producers and downstream backgrounders and feeders."
Full text: https://www.beefmagazine.com/livestock-management/zoetis-launches-commercial-brd-genetic-predictions
2. State tries to address shortage of rural veterinarians [IN - edited]
By Clayton Baumgarth
IPM.org
February 6. 2026
On a cold February morning, large animal veterinarian Ashely Armstrong worked on one of her first patients of the day, a horse named Rebel.
Rebel is just one of many large animals Armstrong is seeing, with appointments on the horizon for goats, cows, and whatever emergency call comes up.
"I'm almost begging for another veterinarian to come in with me," she laughs. But for a few years, Indiana has grappled with a shortage of veterinarians in the large and small animal specialties.
A bill working its way through the statehouse, Senate Bill 56, aims to help by making it easier for vets in other states to become licensed here. If they are in good standing, those vets wouldn't have to take an exam to get their license.
Senate Bill 56 passed through the Senate in mid-January and is awaiting approval in the House.
Full text: https://www.ipm.org/news/2026-02-06/state-tries-to-address-shortage-of-rural-veterinarians
3. Use and Safety of Injectable Vitamin E-Selenium in Equine Practice
Experts recommend veterinarians avoid injectable vitamin E-selenium and use safer oral alternatives instead.
Posted by Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
TheHorse.com
February 10, 2026
Vitamin E and selenium play essential roles in horses' muscular, neurologic, and immune health. Researchers have linked deficiencies in vitamin E to myelopathies (degenerative disorders affecting the spinal cord) and diseases such as equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD)/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM), vitamin E responsive myopathy (VEM), and equine motor neuron disease (EMND). Veterinarians might use injectable vitamin E and selenium combinations to correct deficiencies and support performance, despite possible serious adverse effects such as anaphylaxis and death.
To understand prescribing patterns for injectable vitamin E and selenium products, researchers sent a survey to equine practitioners. John Madigan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACAW, professor emeritus from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), spearheaded the project after the U.S. show jumper Chromatic BF died at the World Cup Finals in Saudi Arabia in 2024 after administration of an injectable vitamin E-selenium product. Madigan said he felt this was a significant welfare issue and reached out to his UC Davis colleagues who have expertise in vitamin E and selenium use in horses. He and one of those experts, Carrie Finno, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of veterinary genetics and the Gregory L. Ferraro Endowed Director of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health, shared the results of the survey at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10, in Denver, Colorado.
They reported that 285 veterinarians completed the survey, 40% of whom were in practice for more than 20 years, showing the high experience level of respondents. Sixty-five percent of veterinarians worked on sport horses, 50% on pleasure horses, and 21% on racehorses. Survey respondents were primarily based in the U.S.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1142296/use-and-safety-of-injectable-vitamin-e-selenium-in-equine-practice/
4. Wisconsin Filly Confirmed Positive for Respiratory EHV; EHV-1 Case Under Investigation in Montana
Wisconsin Filly Confirmed Positive for Respiratory EHV
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
February 10, 2026
On Feb. 2, a yearling draft filly in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, tested positive for respiratory equine herpesvirus (EHV). The filly has had an intermittent low-grade fever and mild respiratory signs since her owners acquired her four months ago. She is quarantined, and four horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1142311/wisconsin-filly-confirmed-positive-for-respiratory-ehv/
EHV-1 Case Under Investigation in Montana
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagement.com
February 10, 2026
According to the Montana Department of Livestock, one horse in Silver Bow County has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), and 50 horses have been exposed. This case is currently under investigation.
Full text: https://equimanagement.com/news/edcc-health-watch/ehv-1-case-under-investigation-in-montana/
5. Integrating sustainability, circularity, and One Health in pork production systems [Webinar]
LIVE STREAM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 AT 1 PM CT - Dr. Gerald Shurson shares insight why sustainability, One Health and circularity practices must be part of pork production.
By Sarah Muirhead, Brand Management Director - Livestock, Farm Progress
Feedstuffs
February 10, 2026
We are in the middle of a contentious tug-of-war between those who proactively want to transform our current agriculture and food production systems to be more sustainable, circular, and healthy versus those who want to defend the status quo of continuing to rely on fossil fuels, and practices that further degrade the environment and natural resources without constraints. Sustainability (social, environmental, economic), One Health, and circularity practices must be implemented in pork production to help protect essential natural resources, build consumer and community trust, and increase resilience to ensure long-term farm business viability for future generations. Dr. Gerald Shurson of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota joins us to discuss.
6. Stopping Nipah Before It Spreads
Following a recent outbreak in India, two Tufts University experts explain how Nipah virus moves from animals to people-and how smarter prevention can reduce future risk
By Genevieve Rajewski
Tufts Now
February 4, 2026
In a world still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, news of a potential new viral threat can quickly raise alarm. That was the case following reports in India of a recent outbreak of Nipah virus, which causes an often-fatal disease with no approved vaccines or treatments.
Nipah virus is carried by fruit bats (Pteropus species), which do not become ill but can pass the virus to people or livestock through contaminated food or close contact. Once humans are infected, the virus can spread from person to person, usually through direct contact with bodily fluids while caring for someone who is seriously sick. In people, Nipah most often causes severe brain swelling, known as encephalitis, and sometimes respiratory illness.
Full text: https://now.tufts.edu/2026/02/04/stopping-nipah-it-spreads