1. WSDA confirms HPAI in dairy herd in Benton County
Washington State Department of Agriculture News Release
October 26, 2026
OLYMPIA -- Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a Benton County dairy herd. The virus was detected by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) through routine surveillance, and the finding was confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
The dairy herd is under quarantine and has employed strict biosecurity measures. Veterinarians are working to treat sick cows. Pasteurized milk products remain safe for consumers, and milk supply shortages are not expected. WSDA urges dairy farmers statewide to report any clinical signs of illness to their veterinarian, including:
Changes in milk appearance (thicker, often yellowish to brown)
Decreased milk production
Decline in feed intake
Fever
Respiratory symptoms
Changes in manure
Steep drop in rumination and rumen motility
If you notice any of these signs, isolate affected animals and contact your veterinarian and WSDA at 360-902-1878 or ahealth@agr.wa.gov. Most cattle affected by HPAI recover with supportive care with full herd recovery typically taking 4-6 weeks.
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAAGR/bulletins/4306fd8
2. Two New World screwworm cases confirmed in Doņa Ana County [NM]
A ram and a bull are the latest animals infected as officials monitor the parasitic fly's spread across southern New Mexico.
By Damien Willis
Organ Mountain News
October 27, 2026
LAS CRUCES - Two cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Doņa Ana County, involving a ram and a bull, as animal health officials continue monitoring the spread of the destructive parasitic fly across southern New Mexico.
The cases were confirmed Oct. 25, according to the New World Screwworm Awareness for New Mexico website, a multiagency resource coordinated by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also tracks confirmed animal infestations through its national surveillance system.
The detections bring New Mexico's reported total to eight confirmed animal cases, including three in Grant County and one each in Hidalgo, Lea and Otero counties.
Full text: https://www.organmountainnews.com/dona-ana-county-new-world-screwworm-cases-2026/
3. CWD Confirmed in New Hunt Area [WY]
By Floyd Whiting
Sheridan Media
October 27, 2026
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is alerting news outlets that they have confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease for the first time in Deer Hunt Area 156 in the Jackson Region.
Game and Fish confirmed the presence of CWD in an adult mule deer buck. Deer Hunt Area 156 is bordered by CWD-positive deer hunt areas 128 (positive in 2016), 148 (positive in 2021), 155 (positive in 2022) and Grand Teton National Park (positive in 2018).
Full text: https://sheridanmedia.com/news/254829/cwd-confirmed-in-new-hunt-area-2/
4. New Genetic Tools Give Dairy Farmers Boost Against Calfhood Diseases
KSSTRadio.com
October 26, 2026
Des Moines, Iowa - Dairy producers now have access to two new national genetic evaluations aimed at reducing calf mortality and costly herd-health challenges early in life.
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) has officially rolled out genetic traits focused on youngstock health: Resistance to Respiratory Problems (RSP) and Resistance to Diarrhea (DIA). The evaluations, available for Holstein and Jersey cattle, mark the first national selection tools designed to address health concerns prior to weaning and entering the lactating herd.
Raising replacement heifers is universally recognized as one of the largest expenses on a dairy operation. Calfhood pneumonia and scours represent the leading causes of early mortality, vet expenses, and stunted growth rates.
5. Maryland HBCU moves closer to opening state's first veterinary school
UMES has gained permission to recruit and admit students as it works toward launching its accelerated veterinary medicine program in 2027.
By Bolarinwa Oladeji
TheGrio.com
October 14, 2026
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has cleared a major hurdle in its plan to open a veterinary school, gaining permission to begin recruiting and admitting students for a program designed to expand access to veterinary education.
The American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education granted the university a Letter of Reasonable Assurance, a decision that moves the developing school closer to its planned launch in summer 2027. The program is set to become Maryland's first veterinary school physically located in the state and the first at a public historically Black college or university.
In its October 13 announcement, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore said the decision followed a review of the school's comprehensive self-study, supporting documents and a campus evaluation conducted in June. The accrediting council concluded that the proposed program could meet accreditation standards during the provisional accreditation period if the university implements its plans as submitted.
Full text: https://thegrio.com/2026/10/14/umes-veterinary-school-approval-public-hbcu/
6. USDA Proposes To Modernize U.S. Import Rules for Fresh Boneless Beef and Fresh Boneless Lamb Meat From Certain Regions While Maintaining Strong Protections Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
October 19, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing a regulatory change to better align U.S. import requirements with international standards for protecting against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Under existing regulations, fresh boneless beef and fresh boneless lamb meat from certain FMD-affected regions may be imported under a systems approach to prevent the introduction of serious animal diseases. One of the mitigations is for meat to maturate at a minimum of 4 °C for 24 hours to ensure safety.
This proposed rule would lower the minimum maturation temperature requirement to 2 °C, consistent with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines, while maintaining all other science-based safeguards already in place. Importantly, this proposal does not expand market access or increase disease risk; rather, it modernizes U.S. requirements to align with global standards.
APHIS has determined that the proposed change would have no significant economic impact on small businesses. The rule does not alter trade volumes or create new access for imports. Consumer access to lean beef and lamb products would continue uninterrupted, supporting both domestic production and global trade efficiency.
See Also:
USDA to Invest $57 Million to Boost American Meat Processing Capacity and Support U.S. Ranchers
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
October 26, 2026
Washington, D.C.,- Today, Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that ranchers in 40 states are expected to receive $57 million to expand their capacity and create new and better markets through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).
"President Trump is focused on putting American ranchers first, and we are committed to achieving this vision at USDA. Today's announcement to provide investments in small and medium sized meat processors builds on President Trump's Executive Order "Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expanding Market Access for American Meat Producers," said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "We are focused on rebuilding the Great American Cattle Herd, and providing more local processing opportunities will continue to give confidence to our ranchers to help us fulfill this goal."
MPPEP is managed by USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Services and pending Congressional allotment, will be investing a total of $57,424,130 in 147 tentative awards across 40 states.
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/4308d87