1. The News Alerts will return Monday January 5, 2026
2. CDFA looks for 14 cattle health advisors [CA]
California Department of Food and Agriculture seeks qualified professional to fill Cattle Health Task Force Advisory Board
The Sun-Gazette
December 24, 20
SACRAMENTO - Industry professionals, academics and licensed veterinarians with a passion for cattle health have the opportunity to help shape state agricultural policies.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch is looking to fill 14 vacancies on the Cattle Health Task Force Advisory Board, the CDFA announced on Dec. 23. Members of the advisory board are appointed by the CDFA secretary and the board holds at least one public meeting each year to review CDFA's bovine disease control programs, according to the CDFA's website.
"Animal health plays a critical role in California's agricultural circular economy," the CDFA press release said.
Indeed, cattle and calves brought in nearly $1.2 billion in gross production value to Tulare County in 2024, according to the county's annual crop and livestock report. The report recorded 655,000 heads of cattle in the county in 2024 and 723,000 in 2023. In Fresno County, cattle and calves brought in more than $725 million in gross production value in 2024.
The Cattle Health Task Force Advisory Board makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on the adoption, modification and repeal of regulations and procedures and the rate and collection of license fees and penalties. The board also posts and provides notices for changes in bylaws, general procedures or orders.
3. EHV-1 Case Confirmed at Florida Boarding Facility [FL]
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagement.com
December 29, 2025
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, one horse at a boarding facility in Palm Beach County has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The horse is quarantined, and 52 additional horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://equimanagement.com/news/edcc-health-watch/ehv-1-case-confirmed-at-florida-boarding-facility/
4. Beyond the Feed Bunk: OSU Researchers Redefine How Producers Understand Cattle Stress [OK]
Hidden stressors can affect animal health, meat quality and a producer's bottom line
MorningAgClips.com
December 24, 2025
STILLWATER, Okla. - Cattle gather around the feed bunk, dust rising as feed hits the trough. It is a familiar sight for any producer, but what happens during that daily routine can carry the biggest impact.
Hidden stressors, from transportation to temperature swings, can affect animal health, meat quality and a producer's bottom line, he added. Understanding what causes stress and how to manage it is the focus of new research at OSU, Dr. David Lalman said.
A team of OSU researchers is tackling the issue head-on through a four-year, $1 million project funded by the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The multidisciplinary research effort uses artificial intelligence, sensor technology and producer perspectives to better understand how cattle respond to stress and what can be done to manage it.
The project brings together animal and meat scientists, sociologists, engineers and computer scientists. Their goal is to identify cattle at risk of stress and develop practical tools producers can use to reduce its impact, said Ranjith Ramanathan, animal and food sciences professor.
One of the major challenges producers often face is unexplained losses during the finishing phase of production, Lalman said.
5. Avian flu found in Drew, White county flocks [AR]
StuttgartDailyLeader.com
December 24, 2025
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Avian influenza has been found in two more flocks, Dustan Clark, extension poultry veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said on Tuesday.
"As of this morning, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in a commercial broiler farm in Drew County and one backyard flock in White County," he said. "The flocks are being depopulated and epidemiological tracebacks are in progress.
"It's likely the White County flock was infected by exposure to wildfowl," he said.
Full text: https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/avian-flu-found-in-drew-white-county-flocks/
6. MDARD Opens Application Period for the 2026 Equine Grant Program [MI]
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Press Release
December 22, 2025
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Horse Racing Advisory Commission (HRAC) announced today that they will accept proposals for the 2026 Equine Grant Program until February 27, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
Established by Michigan's Horse Racing Law of 1995, the Equine Grant Program provides a total of up to $125,000 in grant funding annually for:
o The promotion and marketing of horse racing
o Equine-related research
o Equine-related support and aftercare
o Other equine-related or horse racing programs
To qualify for the Equine Grant Program, entities must be in good standing with the State of Michigan, must be able to provide financial statements for the prior fiscal year and must have been in business for at least two years. Additional program information, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available on MDARD's website.
Prospective applicants must submit their grant proposals to MDARD no later than 5 p.m. ET on Friday, February 27, 2026. Proposals for this grant program are subject to a competitive process that includes review by an evaluation committee.
7. Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: New Swine Inspection System
Federal Register Volume 90, Number 245 (Monday, December 29, 2025)
Notices
Pages 60606-60607
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2025-23832
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Docket No. FSIS-2025-0277
Notice of Request To Renew an Approved Information Collection: New Swine Inspection System
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, FSIS is announcing its intention to renew an approved information collection regarding swine slaughter inspection. The approval for this information collection will expire on February 28, 2026. FSIS is making no changes to the information collection.
DATES: Submit comments on or before February 27, 2026.
Full text: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/html/2025-23832.htm