1. Researchers advance first-of-its-kind bovine TB vaccine to trials [Canada]
A vaccine engineered by the University of Saskatchewan's VIDO protected 80 per cent of lab mice against a highly virulent bovine TB strain without compromising the tuberculin skin test - clearing the way for the first cattle trials of a potential Canadian-made bovine TB vaccine
By Jeff Melchior
Manitoba Co-operator
April 22, 2026
A University of Saskatchewan research team says a potential new vaccine to fight bovine tuberculosis is effective enough to move to the next step: testing in cattle.
The vaccine, dubbed MSX-1, was engineered by the university's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) with proteins found in bovine TB-producing bacteria.
VIDO's most recent round of MSX-1 studies in mice proved successful, with the vaccine reducing disease bacteria in their lungs and spleens. It also minimized weight loss and overall lethality caused by bovine TB.
The initial proof-of-concept trial saw the VIDO team testing two vaccines: MSX-1 and Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG), a long-used treatment for managing tuberculosis in humans.
The VIDO team is already reaching out to a range of agriculture interests to promote the value of investing in the program. Chen is optimistic on this point, acknowledging the support they received from the Beef Cattle Research Council for the project's proof-of-concept component.
2. Rubber mats on slatted floor feedlots may benefit cattle welfare
Adding rubber mats to concrete slats reduces lameness and typically improves ADG in finishing cattle over 1,000 pounds.
By Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University
Feedstuffs
April 22, 2026
Covered slatted floor beef cattle feeding facilities are found throughout the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northern Plains and offer many advantages to cattle feeders. One of them is protection from the weather, particularly during the winter, where cold temperatures and large snowfalls can negatively impact cattle welfare. Protection from weather-related stressors outside the thermal neutral zone reduces energy expenditure, lowers maintenance costs and improves feed conversion to weight gain.
Research has demonstrated that feedlot cattle housed on covered slatted floor facilities require less space compared to solid floor (concrete and dirt) facilities, thus allowing for greater stocking densities and more intensive beef production. As a result of requiring less space per animal, feedlot facilities require less land to produce the same amount of beef - a positive concept when one considers the increasing cost and competitiveness of farmland availability. Cattle with less space also expend less energy walking around the pen and can use that energy for body weight gain.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/beef/rubber-mats-on-slatted-floor-feedlots-may-benefit-cattle-welfare
3. USDA Announces Food Safety and Inspection Service Reorganization, Establishes National Food Safety Center in Iowa
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
April 23, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a reorganization of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to modernize operations, streamline support functions and better align the agency with the nation's agricultural landscape.
As part of this effort, USDA will establish a new National Food Safety Center (NFSC) in Urbandale, Iowa, which will serve as the primary hub for FSIS administrative, technical and support operations.
"This is about building a stronger, more resilient food safety system for the country. By establishing a National Food Safety Center in Iowa and expanding our scientific capabilities, USDA is ensuring that the Food Safety and Inspection Service is positioned where it can best support American agriculture and protect public health," said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. "This is on top the last year of work at the Department to put science and safety first at FSIS. President Trump is committed to ensuring American consumers have the safest, most abundant, and affordable food supply in the world. We are ensuring the American people can trust their food is safe and healthy with gold standard processes and inspections. These changes reflect our commitment to modernizing the Department while staying focused on delivering results for the American people."
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/4143767
4. Murray State Hosts Groundbreaking For New Veterinary Sciences Building [KY]
By Shannon McFarlin
Radiowtn.com
April 23, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. - The Murray State University campus and broader community participated in a special groundbreaking event for the University's new Veterinary Sciences building on April 22.
Located on the University's West Farm, the building will be utilized by undergraduate students majoring in Veterinary Technology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine, as well as future students in the University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
In 2024, the state biennium budget included $60 million in funding for the facility, in order to enhance existing and future programs in veterinary sciences.
The one-story building will measure over 88,000 square feet and offer classrooms, laboratories, offices and support space, as well as common areas for students to collaborate and study. Construction is estimated to be a 24-month process.
5. New position aims to close the gap in Virginia's large animal veterinary services
By Andrew Mann
News.VT.edu
April 23, 2026
Thach Winslow '86, DVM '91 has spent 35 years learning every version of the same problem. On April 1, he started the job that puts all of it to work.
Winslow is the first Coordinator to Support Virginia's Large Animal Veterinary Workforce, based in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
The position - grown from a collaboration among the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Virginia Farm Bureau - was created to address a gap that a 2024 Farm Bureau survey made impossible to ignore: Only 52 percent of Virginia's livestock producers said they were receiving adequate veterinary care.
"Dr. Winslow has thorough knowledge of producer needs, challenges and opportunities of large animal practitioners, opportunities for students, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and workings of the state veterinary office," said Chris Byron, head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the veterinary college.,"He brings a unique knowledge base and an extensive network, which will allow us to get to work right away and make an impact."
Byron said the goals of the position within the next three years include helping students feel more connected to large animal positions in Virginia; developing more access for students to a network of veterinarians; making exploration of career opportunities more accessible to students; identifying funding to develop large animal veterinary programs; and gaining more timely and relative feedback from large animal veterinarians and producers on the veterinary college's programs.
Full text: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/04/vetmed-new-faculty-winslow.html
6. Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins [UK]
By Fergus Walsh, Medical editor
BBC
April 22, 2026
The first [human] volunteers in the UK have been immunised with a vaccine to protect against a potential bird flu pandemic.
The vaccine targets the H5N1 flu strain which has caused devastating infections in bird populations worldwide and has spread to some mammals.
The threat to humans is currently low, says the UK Health Protection Agency, with almost all human cases linked to close contact with infected animals.
The vaccine uses the same mRNA technology used in current Covid jabs, with scientists saying this enables the vaccine to be created quickly and at scale, in the event of a pandemic.
The trial is hoping to recruit people who work in the poultry industry or are over the age of 65 - the two most at-risk groups.