Tuesday January 09 Ag News

NDA TO AWARD ADDITIONAL GRANTS FOR MEAT PROCESSOR ASSISTANCE

Nebraska is a leader in meat production and processing and a vital part of our nation’s food supply. Last year, with grant funding from the Independent Processor Assistance Program (IPAP), 62 livestock producers and meat processors improved and expanded on Nebraska’s meat processing capabilities in a variety of ways.

In 2024, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will award additional IPAP grant funds in the approximate amount of $5.1 million to continue improving and expanding Nebraska’s meat processing capabilities. The money designated for this program comes from American Rescue Plan Act funds. NDA will begin accepting grant applications on Jan. 16, 2024. The deadline to apply is Feb. 16, 2024.

“From increasing freezer capacity to adding meat grinders, slicers and a smokehouse, Nebraska livestock producers and meat processors used the last round of IPAP grant funds to strengthen and expand their operations,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “I’m impressed with the creative ideas used to support Nebraska’s food supply. This next round of grants will allow Nebraska producers and meat processors to implement even more projects to benefit meat processing today and strengthen the industry for tomorrow.”

IPAP grants are available to currently operating meat processors to facilitate improvements, enhancements, or expansions that will increase harvest capacity and/or the variety of products offered.

Eligible processors must be currently operating as either a USDA-FSIS facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility, while also complying with federal regulations. To be eligible, existing operations must be domiciled in the State of Nebraska and be registered in good standing with the Secretary of State to conduct business in Nebraska. Additionally, the processing facility’s existing sales revenue must be less than $2.5 million, and it must employ fewer than 25 people.

IPAP grant proposals will be reviewed and scored using select criteria and a grant application software called AmpliFund. AmpliFund software training for IPAP applications will be available online Jan. 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. CST. Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/Fcti2fszvK. The training will be recorded and posted on the NDA website later.

Previous recipients of grant funding will be eligible to apply, but preference will be given to applicants not previously awarded funding. Recipients may or may not receive the entire amount of funds requested. Individual grants could be awarded up to $100,000 for eligible expenses incurred after Aug. 28, 2021. NDA and USDA will announce the projects receiving funding by the end of April.

Applications will be available on Jan. 16 at nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/meat_processors and must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 16, 2024. Additional information and frequently asked questions about the IPAP grant process, can be found on the website above. Contact Megan Pernicek, NDA Federal Aid Administrator, at 402-471-6823 or agr.arpa@nebraska.gov with questions.



Extension to host multistate emergency preparedness workshop series for rural families

An upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families.

The program will be a four-part series, held at numerous locations across Nebraska and Indiana. The series will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection and hazardous materials. Workshops will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central time on March 5, 7, 12 and 14.

The program is a collaboration between extension women in agriculture programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue University.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural occupations have high rates of work-related injuries and deaths. While not all emergencies result in bodily injury or death, they also may cost rural families in other ways.

"Women play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their homes and rural communities," said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. "In many farm and ranch families, safety is an important topic, but it sometimes gets overlooked because it does not directly impact profitability."

Each state’s workshop sites will be hosted by local extension personnel. Keynote speakers will be simulcast to each location, and each site will provide additional speakers and hands-on activities. Dinner will be included.

Groskopf said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information. "Connections are so important to rural women," she said. "We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigate the isolation that so many of us in agriculture often feel."

The workshops seek to help participants initiate preventative practices, set up a plan to deal with emergencies before they occur and be more comfortable reacting to emergency situations.

Disaster Preparedness for Rural Families Nebraska Workshop Sites
    Beatrice — Beatrice Fire and Rescue, 300 S. 6th St.
    Concord — Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Road
    Grand Island — Raising Nebraska, 501 E. Fonner Park Road, Suite 100
    O‘Neill — Holt County Courthouse Annex, 128 N. 6th St.
    Weeping Water — Nebraska Extension in Cass County, 8400 144th St., Suite 100

There is a registration fee of $50 per person before Feb. 20. The fee increases to $60 per person after Feb. 20. Participants should plan to attend each session. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers. The virtual registration fee is $75 before Feb. 20 and $80 after Feb. 20. Registration may be completed on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/prep.

This project was supported by a grant from NCRCRD through funding from USDA NIFA Award #2022-51150-38141.



Finding the Balance Between Ag Production and Natural Resource Conservation
CAP webinar on Jan 18, 2024 - 12:00 PM
With Andrew Little, Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology and Habitat Management, UNL
and John Westra, Professor of Agricultural Economics, UNL.

During the past 50+ years, Nebraska and other midwestern states have experienced a dramatic conversion of intact grasslands and other non-crop vegetation to row crop production to feed and fuel the growing world. While the intensification of agriculture has led to increased production levels, there have also been negative effects to the ecosystem such as soil loss, water quality issues, and loss of wildlife biodiversity. To ensure we can adequately feed and fuel the growing world while ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations, we must have honest conversations about ways to “find the balance” between production agriculture and natural resource conservation. During this webinar, Drs. Westra and Little will provide a history of conservation in agricultural landscapes and discuss innovative precision conservation approaches to help farmers and ranchers in Nebraska and beyond “find the balance” between production agriculture and natural resource conservation.

Dr. Andrew Little serves as the Director of the Applied Wildlife Ecology and Spatial Movement (AWESM) Lab. Andy is a wildlife spatial ecologist focused on creating innovative solutions to the growing wildlife conservation and management needs in multi-functional landscapes where there are competing interests for agricultural production, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem services.

Dr. John Westra serves as Director of the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. Prior to joining UNL, Westra was the J. Nelson Fairbanks Professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) and served as faculty member for over 15 years at LSU’s department of agricultural economics and agribusiness. His own research has focused on production, natural resource and environmental economics relevant to the agricultural sector.

Register at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



2024 SPECIALTY CROP PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE JAN. 31

Nebraska’s diverse landscape, soil, and climate work together to support a wide variety of traditional and specialty crops. To benefit Nebraska agriculture, and strengthen the state’s specialty crop industry, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is seeking proposals for research, development, and marketing projects through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program is administered by NDA and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The deadline for submitting SCBGP proposals is Jan. 31, 2024.

“Specialty crops allow farmers to diversify their operations, adding value and variety to Nebraska agriculture,” said SCBG Program Manager Casey Foster. “SCBGP’s online application streamlines the application process allowing farmers to focus more on innovative ways to grow and market their specialty crops.”

For the 2024 SCBG program, NDA anticipates approximately $820,000 will be available to fund new projects. Producers, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local agencies, educational groups and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply. Last fall, several organizations in Nebraska received more than $823,000 in USDA grants.

AmpliFund is the grant application software NDA is using. A recorded webinar training is available on NDA’s website at https://nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/scbgp/index.html along with proposal instructions, grant performance measures and program guidelines.

As in years past, this year’s proposals will be reviewed and scored using select criteria. Applicants who make it through the first round will be asked to submit additional information. NDA and USDA will announce the projects receiving funding in the fall.

To view a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops and examples of projects funded, visit USDA’s website at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp. For additional information, contact Casey Foster at 402-471-6857, or by email at casey.foster@nebraska.gov.



USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to Conduct Hemp Survey

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the 2023 Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to Nebraska producers on January 22. The survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States in 2023.

“The Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry will provide critical data about the hemp industry to assist producers, regulatory agencies, state governments, processors, and other key industry entities,” said Nicholas Streff, Director of the NASS Northern Plains Field Office.

NASS estimated the total value of hemp production nationally at $238 million in 2022. Planted area for industrial hemp grown in the open for all utilizations in the United States totaled 28,314 acres.

Area harvested for all utilizations totaled 18,251 acres. These and other statistics can be found in the 2022 National Hemp Report.

Survey recipients are asked to respond securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or fax. Those who do not respond by January 31 may be contacted to arrange an interview to complete the survey.

As defined in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), the term “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant such as the seeds, all derivatives, and extracts with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The Domestic Hemp Production Program established in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 allows for the cultivation of hemp under certain conditions.

All information reported by individuals will be kept confidential, as required by federal law. The National Hemp Report will publish on April 17, and will be available on the NASS website at nass.usda.gov and in the NASS Quick Stats database at quickstats.nass.usda.gov. For more  information about the 2023 Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry, visit the hemp survey web page at www.nass.usda.gov/go/hemp. For assistance with the survey, producers are encouraged to call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at (800) 582-6443.



Naig Comments on Governor Reynolds’ Condition of the State Address

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after Gov. Reynolds delivered the annual Condition of the State Address:

“Gov. Reynolds’ strong leadership and bold vision have kept Iowa families moving on a path to even greater success and opportunity. By pairing fiscally responsible budgeting with policies that promote economic growth, the Governor and Legislature have put Iowa in a position to once again reduce taxes for hardworking Iowans while still meeting our budget priorities. Agriculture remains the lifeblood of Iowa’s economy, and my team is ready to work with our lawmakers this session to accelerate our statewide water quality and conservation efforts, build markets for Iowa products, implement innovative workforce solutions and protect animal health.”

Foreign Ownership of Farmland
“Our rich, productive farmland is one of our state’s most precious and valuable resources. As I visit with Iowans in my travels to Iowa’s 99 counties each year, farmers and non-farmers alike share serious concerns about foreign adversaries buying our farm ground. Iowa currently has some of the strongest state-level protections against foreign ownership of farmland in the nation, and our approach serves as a model for other states. To give Iowans further confidence, I fully support the Governor’s proposal to strengthen enforcement, increase reporting and enhance transparency to guarantee that Iowa’s farmland remains in the hands of Americans.”



Naig Presents 2024 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards to Hy-Vee and Reif Oil Company

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the 2024 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards to two fuel marketers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and sell renewable fuels within Iowa. Secretary Naig presented the ethanol marketing award to Hy-Vee and the biodiesel marketing award to Reif Oil Company during the FUELIowa legislative conference held today in Des Moines.

“Many Iowa families are like mine with multiple drivers on the road, and I know it makes a big difference to a family budget to be able to access lower cost fuel options, including higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel,” said Secretary Naig. “Not only are we proudly leading the nation in ethanol and biodiesel production, but we have many great retailers across the state, including Hy-Vee and Reif Oil Company, who are providing consumers with more options and significant cost savings on every fill-up of these homegrown biofuels.”

Secretary’s Ethanol Marketing Award –  Hy-Vee
Iowa-based Hy-Vee first started selling ethanol products in 1997, when it opened its first fueling station in Muscatine. Since 2018, the company has added E85/E15 fuel options to each new and updated location, providing consumers with a lower cost and lower carbon option. Today, Hy-Vee has 191 Fast & Fresh stores in eight Midwestern states selling ethanol blended fuels that may include E15, E30, E85, 87 E10, 89 E10, 91 E10 and 93 E10. Eighty-five Fast & Fresh stores are located in Iowa, with 21 of the stations selling E85 and 18 selling E15. Hy-Vee has participated in the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, which is administered by the Department, and has eight sites approved for ethanol equipment upgrades to offer E15. Hy-Vee is currently in the process of applying for 10 additional USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) 2024 grants.

Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award – Reif Oil Company
Reif Oil Company, which is headquartered in Burlington, was founded in 1978. Since then, the company has taken significant steps to add increasingly more biodiesel options to its retail and wholesale portfolio – including offerings through Reif’s Fast Break convenience stores located in Westland, West Burlington, Iowa City, Mediapolis, Muscatine, Mount Pleasant and Fort Madison. In addition to biodiesel distribution at its company-owned stores, Reif Oil is proud to supply its dealer network throughout Iowa, Illinois and Missouri with biodiesel produced in the state of Iowa. Reif Oil offers seasonal biodiesel blends of up to B20 to its retail and wholesale customers in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, and has incorporated on-site and off-site blending facilities into its store and wholesale portfolio.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Industry
Iowa’s renewable fuels industry continues to enjoy strong momentum. Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel and is the first state in the country to have an E15 standard. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the industry accounts for nearly $7.2 billion of Iowa GDP, generates $3.5 billion of income for Iowa households, and supports more than 57,000 jobs.



Southwest Iowa Calving Clinic set for Jan. 23

Southwest Iowa cattle producers, including 4-H and FFA members, are invited to attend a calving clinic Jan. 23 at St. Peter's Catholic Church Parish Hall, in Defiance. In addition to classroom style learning, attendees also will have the opportunity for hands-on practice with delivering calves and dealing with dystocia cases using a life-sized model cow and calf from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the educational program will offer valuable information about the basics of the birthing process, newborn calf care and cow nutritional impacts.

“Using the model, we can place the calf in various positions so that participants must work to correct those undesirable positions before delivering the calf," she said. "The session also provides a great opportunity to share questions and experiences with speakers and fellow cattle producers.”

In addition to Lundy-Woolfolk, presenters are Randie Culbertson, extension cow-calf specialist; Lynn Geoffroy, postdoc research associate with Iowa State’s Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine; and Brandi Huddle, of the Shelby Vet Clinic in Shelby. The event is organized and hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach in Crawford and Shelby counties.

The workshop begins at 6 p.m. and runs approximately three hours. A light supper will be served, and thanks to the support of the Crawford County and Shelby County Cattlemen, there is no cost to participants. Preregistration by Jan. 19 is required to ensure adequate meal and space needs. Register by calling the Crawford County office at 712-263-4697 or the Shelby County office at 712-755-3104, or by emailing Jennifer Sellner in Shelby County at sellner1@iastate.edu



Growth Energy Files Petitions for Rehearing in Response to Fifth Circuit's SRE Ruling

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, this week filed two petitions for rehearing with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the Court's 2023 decision on small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The RFS allows small refiners to request exemptions from the program's fuel blending obligations if they can demonstrate to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that compliance with the RFS would impose a "disproportionate economic hardship." EPA has denied several of these requests over the past few years, reflecting numerous well-established analyses that have shown that refineries nearly always recoup their RFS compliance costs. However, in November, the Fifth Circuit sided with a group of six refineries, ruling that EPA improperly denied their SRE requests.

"As we noted in November, this lawsuit was never about the purported economic hardship faced by a small group of refineries—its ultimate goal was to allow those refineries not to comply with the law, and to block consumer access to lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel options at the pump," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "In its opinion, the Fifth Circuit made procedural and substantive errors and failed to consider the record, which demonstrates that EPA's decision to deny the refinery exemptions was correct and well within its authority."

"We hope that the rehearing petition will prompt the court to revisit and revise its opinion to allow EPA to continue to properly implement the nationwide SRE program, and ensure the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which spurs the production of American-made biofuels to bolster our rural economy, ensure national and energy security, lower carbon emissions, and save consumers money.”



U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Global Sales Were Strong Yet Tapered in November
Ann Lewis, RFA Senior Analyst

U.S. ethanol exports dipped 1% to a robust 115.9 million gallons (mg). Canada was our largest destination for the 32nd consecutive month despite a 23% drop in volume. Shipments totaled 50.0 mg (of which 91% was denatured), accounting for 43% of global sales. The U.S. exported 22.6 mg to Colombia (up from essentially zero), which is a record high for that market. India imported 13.5 mg (a -1% decline) while the European Union (down 54%) and United Kingdom (down 39%) each imported 7.7 mg. Virtually all remaining ethanol exports landed in South Korea (3.8 mg, -37%), Mexico (3.4 mg, -33%), Jamaica (3.3 mg, a 6-fold increase), Peru (2.9 mg, -50%), and Singapore (0.8 mg, +47%). Brazil again was notably absent from the market. Ethanol exports through November 2023 totaled 1.27 billion gallons, 3% ahead of the same period in 2022.

The U.S. imported 3.3 mg of undenatured ethanol from Brazil and minimal volumes of denatured ethanol from South Africa. Total ethanol imports through November 2023 totaled 20.6 mg, 73% less than the same period in 2022.

Exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, slowed 7% to 829,911 metric tons (mt)—the lowest volume since April. Shipments landing in our top ten largest customers were mixed but up 3% overall, while a cumulative decline across our smaller markets (-44%) pulled down the November total. Mexico was our largest destination for the 17th consecutive month with exports of 177,724 mt. Still, this was an 8% decrease from October and a 6-month low. Other larger importers included South Korea (108,922 mt, +42%), Vietnam (101,389 mt, -16%), Indonesia (83,558 mt, +26%), Canada (78,341 mt, - 16% decline), Colombia (52,365 mt, quadrupled to an 11-month high) and China (33,189 mt, +9% to a 22-month high). DDGS exports through November 2023 totaled 9.82 million mt, lagging 3% behind the same period in 2022.



Truterra Announces 2024 Programs Including Expanded Eligibility for Qualified Long-Term Adopters

Truterra, LLC, a leading agricultural sustainability business that offers consultation, tools and solutions to help improve the environmental impact of agricultural production, is announcing programs for farmers to enroll in for 2024, with several new developments.

Among the program options for enrollment is Truterra’s leading carbon program, which in just two years paid farmers more than $9 million for more than 462,000 metric tons of carbon benefits created through farming practices such as planting cover crops or reducing how often fields are tilled. For the first time in 2024, Truterra is expanding eligibility of its carbon program to include qualified long-term adopters of conservation practices, specifically for qualified farmers who have adopted conservation practices like cover crops or reduced tillage before crop year 2021.

Bringing long-term adopters into the fold is a strategic step toward meeting the needs of companies seeking to reduce scope 3 emissions from within the food and ag value chain. According to McKinsey1 and Company, sales of consumer goods products made with sustainability goals are growing 36% faster than those made without them, which is why Truterra is sharpening its focus on how it can help play a role in the solution for companies to help decarbonize their supply chains and meet their emissions-based goals. These long-term adopters potentially have favorable greenhouse gas emissions and storage profiles which may benefit companies in the food and ag value chain – and the program this year will help to establish a baseline and understand the opportunity.

“The expansion of eligibility for qualified farmers is something we’re proud to offer and is another step forward in our mission to meet farmers wherever they are in their sustainability journey,” said Truterra President Jamie Leifker. “Truterra is committed to working with ag retailers to maximize their relationships with farmers, as they are often the most trusted advisor. We will continue to expand our ag retail network and together lead the way with innovative solutions to position farmers to increase their productivity and profitability while working to improve the long-term environmental sustainability of their operations.”

2024 Program Details:

Carbon Program
    The Truterra® carbon program can help eligible farmers offset some of the technical and financial costs associated with the transition to conservation agronomy practices and potentially reward them for the impact of their services.
    Eligible farmers can earn up to $30/metric ton of carbon stored with a minimum of $2/acre as a result of making certain practice changes in crop year 2024 or earlier.
    Open to farmers with corn, soybeans, wheat or cotton in rotation in eligible states.

USDA Financial Assistance Program
    Supports and rewards eligible farmers for transitioning to new qualifying conservation agronomy practices on their fields.
    Available on fields with corn, cotton, soybeans, or wheat in crop year 2024 that are less than or equal to 160 acres.
    Farmers can earn up to $25/acre for strip/no-till, $55/acre for cover crop addition, or $80/acre for both tillage/cover crops
    Open to farmers in all states except for AK, HI, MA, NH, NM, VT and RI

Nitrogen Management Program
    Rewards eligible farmers for improving nitrogen management practices on corn fields (with the goal of reducing emissions)
    Farmers can earn up to $5/acre for reducing applied nitrogen by at least 20 lbs./acre and/or using an approved enhanced efficiency fertilizer on corn fields
    Three years of historic corn rotational data is required
    Open to farmers in IL, IN, OH and TN

Cedar River Regional Conservation Partnership Program
    Designed to help improve drinking water quality, reduce flood risk and improve wildlife habitat in Iowa’s Cedar River Watershed
    Eligible farmers may qualify for cost-share incentives to add conservation practices like cover crops, saturated buffers, no-till/strip till, wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration, bioreactors or prairie strips and related practices.

Enrollment for Truterra’s 2024 sustainability programs is open now. Interested farmers can visit truterraag.com/enroll to learn more and explore eligibility.



New Study Demonstrates Positive Health and Financial Outcomes for Treating Nonsevere Gram-Negative Mastitis with Spectramast LC

Dairy producers and veterinarians can confidently implement mastitis treatment protocols against mastitis cases caused by Gram-negative bacteria with Spectramast® LC (ceftiofur hydrochloride) Sterile Suspension from Zoetis. Research from the University of California, Davis — published online in the Journal of Dairy Science (published in press Nov. 2, 2023) — showed that treatment of nonsevere (mild and moderate) cases of clinical mastitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria with Spectramast LC was effective in improving bacteriological and clinical cures, lowering mastitis recurrence, reducing use of supplemental therapy and minimizing mastitis-related culls and deaths.

Conducted on three large dairy herds in California and using 415 nonsevere clinical mastitis cases caused by Gram-negative bacteria, the clinical trial compared outcomes between cows that received two-day intramammary treatment with Spectramast LC and cows that received no treatment. Results showed the effectiveness of two-day treatments with Spectramast LC was better than not treating. Specific findings from the research included:
    24.7% increase in bacteriological cures in treated groups at Day 14 compared with untreated groups1
    46.8% reduction in mastitis-related cull and death rates in treated groups compared with untreated groups1
    $204-per-head reduction of mastitis-related losses in groups treated for two days compared with untreated groups1

“Early intramammary treatment of Gram-negative mastitis infections with Spectramast LC provides significant benefits compared with the option of not treating and assuming that cows would self-cure without consequence,” said Dr. Daniela Bruno, DVM, PhD, Dairy Advisor for University of California, Davis.

A prudent strategy would be to treat all cases of Gram-negative mastitis with Spectramast LC, and not attempt to distinguish mild cases from moderate cases, the research suggested.

“A case of non-severe Gram-negative mastitis has the potential to become a severe infection that requires more aggressive treatment, adding costs and delaying return to productivity,” said Juan Pedraza, DVM, Managing Veterinarian of Zoetis Dairy Technical Services. “Based on the research, you’re looking at improved cure rates, lower treatment costs due to the reduction in use of supplemental therapy, and most importantly, helping keep cows healthy and productive members of the herd.”

The dairy industry recognizes mastitis as one of the costliest disease conditions that dairy producers must manage. Gram-negative bacteria alone, especially coliforms like E. coli, Klebsiella spp., or Enterobacter spp., can pose a real threat to herd productivity, causing up to 35 percent of all intramammary infections on dairies.2,3 In one study, 66 percent of cultured samples initially tested negative but 34 percent actually were positive for a Gram-negative pathogen.3 Gram-negative bacteria can be elusive so it’s important to evaluate what an appropriate treatment protocol could look like for Gram-negative mastitis cases to help improve cow wellness outcomes and mastitis-treatment-related costs for the dairy industry.

“We continue to invest in new, practical on-label solutions and support research that will advance mastitis management protocols so veterinarians, producers and parlor employees can use them with confidence,” said Dr. Pedraza.

Spectramast LC offers extended therapy as its unique, flexible label for at least two and up to eight days to achieve a bacteriological cure for a broad spectrum of bacteria. In addition, the two-day pre-slaughter meat withdrawal for Spectramast LC is the shortest withhold time available, providing more options for greater management flexibility. Milk withdrawal time is 72 hours after the last treatment, regardless of how many days treatments are administered (2-8 days).