1. FAO, USDA unite to fight African swine fever in the Dominican Republic
A second phase of the program will strengthen national biosecurity through further certification of farms, slaughterhouses and animal transport systems.
FAO News Release
National Hog Farmer
April 13, 2026
African swine fever is one of the most devastating diseases affecting pigs, capable of wiping out entire herds and threatening livelihoods across the livestock sector. When the Dominican Republic confirmed the presence of ASF in 2021 - the first detection in the Western Hemisphere in over 40 years - the risk extended far beyond the country's borders, raising concern across the Americas.
In response, the Government of the Dominican Republic launched a National Swine Biosecurity Plan with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the General Directorate of Livestock of the Dominican Republic. Since 2023, this partnership has worked to strengthen farm biosecurity, improve disease surveillance, and protect the country's swine value chain from further spread of the virus.
"During my visit to the Dominican Republic earlier this year, I had the chance to see firsthand how farmers and veterinarians are putting stronger biosecurity measures into practice," said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol following her mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti in January 2026. "What stood out most was the level of collaboration - between producers, government authorities, FAO and USDA APHIS - to tackle African swine fever before it spreads further. Those kinds of practical, on-the-ground efforts are exactly what it takes to protect farmers' livelihoods and safeguard the pork industry across the Americas.
2. USPOULTRY and Foundation Approve Nearly $500,000 in New Research
Research funding was made possible in part by donations to the USPOULTRY Foundation
MorningAgClips.com
April 13, 2026
TUCKER, Ga. - USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved $491,070 in funding for four new research grants at three institutions through the Board Research Initiative Program. The topics and requests for proposals were selected by the USPOULTRY board of directors. The Foundation Research Advisory Committee evaluated all research proposals and then recommended which proposals to fund to the board.
The research grants are as follows, and the research funding was made possible in part by donations to the USPOULTRY Foundation. The donations came from a wide range of poultry and egg companies, individuals and families to support the Foundation's mission of funding industry research and recruiting students into poultry careers.
Unraveling Molecular Epidemiology, Antigenicity Relatedness, and Transmission Routes of Turkey Coronavirus to Strategically Design the Combat Measures
North Carolina State University
Novel Vaccine Development Strategy to Control Infectious Coryza in Layers
North Carolina State University
Potency of Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroups A and B Vaccines Through Different Administration Routes
South Dakota State University
Cecal Organoids offer a Reliable Laboratory Model to Evaluate Alternative Chemotherapeutic Compounds Against Histomonas meleagridis
University of Georgia
Full text: https://www.morningagclips.com/uspoultry-and-foundation-approve-nearly-500000-in-new-research/
3. Ducks don't travel as far when their needs are met. That could affect how we manage bird flu
By Chase McGee
Georgia Public Broadcasting
April 13, 2026
A new study from the University of Georgia looks at how waterfowl move in diverse habitats, and what that could mean for the spread of avian influenza.
Previously, researchers focused on long migratory flight paths, and where birds might spread avian influenza.
Claire Teitelbaum is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia and an assistant unit leader at U.S. Geological Survey. She led a recent study of more localized trips that birds make outside of migration.
She found these birds travel a lot less in areas with human activity, likely because they're able to more easily find shelter, food, and water.
Birds also travel less when they can find unique landscapes, like wetlands and green spaces, in close proximity.
"So they need a place to sleep and a place to eat, and those aren't the same place," she said. "So if you have those two different types of habitats that are close to each other, then they're not going to have to travel as far to be able to get everything that they need."
And if a bird doesn't travel far, that's a smaller area they might spread avian influenza.
4. Farmers, vets react to OSU plan: More veterinarians needed but retention is key [OH]
By Patrick Cooley
Farm and Dairy
April 13, 2026
WOOSTER, Ohio - Nearly a third of Ohio's 88 counties are short on veterinarians, according to Rustin Moore, dean of Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Some of those counties have no vets, he said, leaving farmers to drive long distances, or wait for vets to drive long distances, when their animals are sick or need preventative care. Veterinarians sometimes cover multiple counties, Moore said.
"In those cases, the veterinarian can't sustainably service all of those areas," he said.
Moore underscored the need for OSU's new Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO) plan at a town hall-style meeting held April 7 at the university's Wooster campus. Using money provided by the state legislature, OSU plans to admit more veterinary students, offer more hands-on learning and encourage vet graduates from small towns to practice in their communities.
5. MDA Announces Next Steps to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage [MD]
Next steps focused on engagement, data and long-term workforce development
MorningAgClips.com
April 13, 2026
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced the release of recommendations developed in partnership with the Farm Journal Foundation to address the shortage of rural and food-systems veterinarians across the state.
The recommendations build on a statewide assessment and outline immediate next steps focused on engagement, data, and long-term workforce development.
The report highlights several key findings, including gaps in data on the current veterinary workforce, underutilization of available federal funding programs, and the need to better understand demand, particularly among small and growing farm operations.
Immediate Next Steps
MDA will focus on two near-term priorities:
Statewide Engagement and Communication - The Department will share the assessment findings broadly across the veterinary, education, and agricultural communities and ensure stakeholders are engaged in shaping next steps.
Summit and Solutions Development - MDA will host a statewide summit to bring together veterinarians, educators, and agricultural leaders to review findings, identify challenges, and begin developing solutions. The summit will serve as a launching point for a coordinated, collaborative effort to strengthen Maryland's rural veterinary workforce.
Full text: https://www.morningagclips.com/mda-announces-next-steps-to-address-rural-veterinary-shortage/
6. Livestock theft operation busted in Williamson County, 5 charged [TX - edited]
By: Julianna Russ
KXAN.com
April 12, 2026
AUSTIN - The Williamson County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) announced it arrested five people in connection with an organized livestock theft operation.
All five suspects were charged with theft of livestock between $30,000 and $150,000-a third-degree felony.
WCSO said evidence showed the suspects were involved in a scheme responsible for the theft and slaughter of roughly 70 cattle over several months.
During an investigation, WCSO said multiple crime scenes were found where pasture fencing had been cut. Investigators also found ammunition, tools used in processing animals and photos of stolen and slaughtered cattle on a suspect's cellphone.
"Livestock theft has a significant financial impact on our agricultural community, and we remain committed to holding offenders accountable", said Williamson County Sheriff Matt Lindemann.
Full text: https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/livestock-theft-operation-busted-in-williamson-county-5-charged/