1. Strength in Numbers: The Power of Regional Cooperation in Swine Health
Industry experts say its time to move beyond isolated management to a culture of transparency and shared diagnostics. Here's how the integration of real-time data, AI and regional collaboration is transforming the fight against PRRS and other critical swine health challenges.
By Jennifer Shike
Pork Business
March 1, 2026
Disease management and diagnostics are not separate disciplines but complementary components of a single decision-making system, says Daniel Linhares, Roy A. Schultz Professor in Swine Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University.
"Sustained industry progress on swine health and productivity will depend on maintaining strong linkages between ongoing, real-time data generation, analysis and action," Linhares explained at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting on March 1. "By integrating diagnostics, outbreak data and productivity indicators, veterinarians can quantify progress, justify interventions and communicate value to producers."
2. Rutgers Expert Explains New Methods for Measuring Farm Animal Well-Being
FineDayRadio.com
February 27, 2026
A Rutgers University animal sciences instructor discusses how farmers are moving beyond just preventing animal suffering to actively measuring positive welfare indicators. The Five Domains Model examines nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state to provide a complete picture of animal well-being.
(Editor's note: Taylor Ross serves as a Teaching Instructor and Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.)
The topic of animal well-being has gained significant attention among farmers and the general public in recent years. In the past, we primarily focused on negative indicators of welfare, tracking things like disease, injuries, stress, and decreased productivity.
While these negative factors are clearly undesirable and relatively easy to observe and measure, they don't tell the complete story. Does an animal that isn't suffering necessarily enjoy positive welfare and a good quality of life? How can we evaluate animal well-being more comprehensively and identify positive indicators? What happens when an animal displays mixed welfare signals, appearing content while experiencing health problems?
These positive indicators prove more challenging to recognize and measure. It's crucial to examine multiple factors for this very reason. Context is always important when evaluating welfare, since various factors influence each other and cannot be completely isolated.
3. Ohio Horse Contracts EHV-1; Alberta Horse Tests Positive for EIA
Ohio Horse Contracts EHV-1
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
March 2, 2026
On Feb. 25, a 5-year-old Standardbred gelding in Ashtabula County, Ohio, tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) after presenting with ataxia. The horse is recovering, and 11 horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1142530/ohio-horse-contracts-ehv-1/
Alberta Horse Tests Positive for EIA
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
March 2, 2026
On Feb. 26, one horse in Bonnyville No. 87, Alberta, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). The horse participates in rodeo events and was tested to fulfill an export requirement to the United States. It was not displaying clinical signs of disease.
Movement controls have been placed on the infected horse and on-premises contact animals. Initial reports indicate that there are several other equines at the facility.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1142528/alberta-horse-tests-positive-for-eia-6/
4. Feedlot Cattle Health Summit Scheduled for April 7 and April 8
Production Animal Consultation will host two beef industry summits this spring.
Drovers.com
February 28, 2026
Production Animal Consultation (PAC) will host two beef industry summits, allowing people from the beef industry to gather and exchange ideas.
"PAC's Beef Summits offer a valuable opportunity for feedlot managers, caregivers, veterinarians and industry leaders to come together and learn new information about the issues shaping today's beef industry," says Dr. Corbin Stevens, PAC veterinarian and owner.
The PAC Beef Summits will be hosted April 7, 2026, at the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center in Scott City, Kan., and April 8, 2026, at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Neb. The event features an exciting line-up of speakers and topics.
Full text: https://www.drovers.com/news/education/feedlot-cattle-health-summit-scheduled-april-7-and-april-8
5. Zoetis to Acquire Neogen's Animal Genomics Business
Acquisition strengthens Zoetis' leadership in precision animal health by integrating Neogen's global genomics capabilities, expanding predictive insights and individualized care worldwide.
By Angie Stump Denton
Drovers.com
March 2, 2026
Today, Neogen Corporation, an innovative leader in food safety solutions, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its global genomics business to Zoetis Inc., the world's leading animal health company, for $160 million, subject to customary closing adjustments.
Neogen's planned divestiture, which had been previously announced, was part of the company's portfolio review strategy to simplify the business and focus on core strategic markets.
"Neogen's genomics business (GeneSeek) has been a pioneer in advanced DNA testing for livestock and has set a high standard for innovation across the livestock sector, with globally recognized solutions spanning genomic prediction, herd improvement and data integration," says Tom Schultz, Neogen head of commercial global genomics."We're excited to build on that foundation in our future with Zoetis and to continue advancing tools that strengthen animal health, performance and overall profitability. Customers can expect a thoughtful transition and continued excellent service,"
6. Spain alerts WHO of swine flu virus believed to have been transmitted between people
By Reuters
February 27, 2026
BARCELONA - Spain has alerted the World Health Organization of what it believes to be a person-to-person transmission of the swine flu virus in its A(H1N1)v variant, a spokesperson for health authorities in the Catalonia region confirmed to Reuters on Friday.
In a later statement, the Catalan health department said the risk assessment for the population was considered "very low".
The person infected did not exhibit flu-like respiratory symptoms, it said, and tests on direct contacts showed the virus had not retransmitted.