Stories by PJ Huffstutter | Canadian Cattlemen

U.S. cattle deaths linked to Zilmax far exceed maker’s reports, study finds

By PJ Huffstutter, Tom Polansek March 13, 2014

Reuters — The number of U.S. cattle deaths that may be linked to the Merck and Co. feed additive Zilmax are much higher than the figures reported by the drug company to the federal government, according to a research study published Wednesday. The findings by researchers from Texas Tech University and Kansas State University show […] Read more

Livestock

Tyson demands better treatment of hogs by its suppliers

By P.J. Huffstutter, PJ Huffstutter January 10, 2014

Tyson Foods, the second-largest pork producer in the U.S., said Thursday it will require more humane animal treatment by farmers that raise its pigs — and will keep a closer eye on all of its hog suppliers in North America. Tyson said it will be rolling out more third-party inspections this year of sow farms […] Read more

Livestock

Lost hooves, dead cattle before Merck halted Zilmax sales

By P.J. Huffstutter, PJ Huffstutter, Tom Polansek December 31, 2013

The U.S. beef industry’s dependence on the muscle-building drug Zilmax began unraveling here, on a sweltering summer day, in the dusty cattle pens outside a Tyson Foods slaughterhouse in southeastern Washington state. As cattle trailers that had traveled up to four hours in 95 F (35 C) heat began to unload, 15 heifers and steers […] Read more

Livestock

U.S. universities monitor pig virus during gov’t shutdown

By PJ Huffstutter October 7, 2013

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week, veterinary labs at U.S. universities are stepping into a data gap to collect information and publish updates about an outbreak of a swine virus deadly to young pigs, according to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. The University of Minnesota’s diagnostic lab staff last week […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

U.S. hog report does little to calm PEDv fears

By PJ Huffstutter September 30, 2013

U.S. data showing a surprisingly large late-summer hog herd has done little to quell fears in rural America that a virus deadly to baby piglets could spread. The U.S. livestock industry was anxiously awaiting Friday’s release of the Agriculture Department’s quarterly hogs and pigs report on the nation’s swine inventory over the past three months, […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Activist fund lines up rival buyers for pork giant Smithfield

By PJ Huffstutter September 3, 2013

Activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP said it is working with investors interested in paying “substantially” more for Smithfield Foods than the price China’s Shuanghui International Holdings had agreed to. Starboard, a New York-based fund that holds a 5.7 per cent stake in Smithfield, said in a letter to the company’s shareholders on Tuesday that […] Read more

Livestock

Zilmax halt fuels demand for rival cattle feed product

By PJ Huffstutter, Tom Polansek August 26, 2013

Merck’s decision to suspend sales of its Zilmax cattle feed additive has caused such a surge in demand for rival Eli Lilly’s Optaflexx that Lilly is telling some new customers it cannot immediately supply them, customers told Reuters. Zilmax became the focus of attention in the livestock industry after Tyson Foods saidn Aug. 7 it […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Merck rolls out new training program for Zilmax customers

By PJ Huffstutter August 15, 2013

As questions about the health effects of Merck’s Zilmax feed additive intensified in North America’s beef industry, the pharmaceuticals giant on Tuesday unveiled a program to retrain and certify beef producers in administering the weight-adding drug to cattle. The news comes a week after Tyson Foods declared it would stop accepting beef from Zilmax-fed cattle […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Merck to study cattle industry use of Zilmax

By PJ Huffstutter August 13, 2013

In the wake of mounting questions over its popular growth feed additive for cattle, Merck’s animal health unit said it is launching a five-step plan to reach out to cattle packers and suppliers in the next 30 days to address questions concerns over Zilmax. Among other steps, the New Jersey-based Merck Animal Health said it […] Read more

General, Livestock

U.S. slaughterhouse workers, truckers fuel deadly piglet virus spread

By PJ Huffstutter July 30, 2013

Questionable hygiene practices among meat processing plant employees, freight truck drivers and others who work at hog slaughter houses are aiding in the spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus across the United States, according to research conducted by the University of Illinois staff. PEDv is spread most commonly by pigs ingesting contaminated feces. The virus, […] Read more

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GFM Network News

U.S. grains: Soybeans dive to biggest weekly loss in 6-1/2 years

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle gain from falling feed prices

U.S. grains: South American supply issues wane

Author Archives PJ Huffstutter

U.S. cattle deaths linked to Zilmax far exceed maker’s reports, study finds

Tyson demands better treatment of hogs by its suppliers

Lost hooves, dead cattle before Merck halted Zilmax sales

U.S. universities monitor pig virus during gov’t shutdown

U.S. hog report does little to calm PEDv fears

Activist fund lines up rival buyers for pork giant Smithfield

Zilmax halt fuels demand for rival cattle feed product

Merck rolls out new training program for Zilmax customers

Merck to study cattle industry use of Zilmax

U.S. slaughterhouse workers, truckers fuel deadly piglet virus spread

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