CALF_News_February_March_2020

23 CALF News • February | March 2020 • www.calfnews.net T he NewMexico Cattlegrowers Asso- ciation (NMCGA) enjoyed a fiesta of a convention in December. But the event’s Zoetis Cattlemen’s College and New Mexico Livestock Board sessions were all business, as the discussion of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and changes to the state’s Trichomoniasis quarantine regs had producers thinking – “What if?” The NMCGA event was part of the annual Joint Stockmen Convention with New Mexico Wool Growers, the New Mexico Federal Lands Council, the New Mexico CowBelles and the Dairy Produc- ers of New Mexico. It was held in Albuquerque at the Sandia Resort and Casino. But many pro- ducers felt they’d already rolled snake eyes with the type of markets they gambled with in 2019. And their margins have been tight enough, without having to worry about even a minuscule chance that FMD could threaten regional cattle production. FMD is a fearful disease that could force extermination of millions of cattle. It would be catastrophic to the U.S. cattle industry.“FMD is the most contagious disease we know of,” said Dr. John Wenzel, New Mexico State University (NMSU) Extension veterinarian.“If you understand what FMD can do, it will make you point your ears and listen.” The United States is currently FMD- free. So are Mexico and Central America, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) website. New Mexico is ready New Mexico, federal animal health officials, U.S. Customs and Border Inspection, Homeland Security and even the FBI work extensively to prevent FMD from entering the United States, either through contaminated cattle, goats, swine or other animals. They also strive to prevent foreign travelers from carrying the disease across the border. In addition, Zoetis animal health is partnering with Texas A&M University in establishing a facility for accelerating the development of transboundary and emerging disease vaccines – including those for FMD. Dr. J.P. Pollreisz, Zoetis managing veterinarian for beef cattle operations, told NMCGA Cattlemen’s College participants that the partnership aims to develop an FMD vaccine that is approved for the United States. “The center will combine efforts of Zoetis’ expertise in vaccines, alliances with disease surveillance centers, regula- tory knowledge and manufacturing scal- ability,” he said.“It will be a coordinating hub to support customers during disease outbreaks and help governments protect against the threat of transboundary and emerging diseases.” As an Arizona veterinary practitioner, Wenzel was involved in the initial meet- ing of the Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT), a livestock emergency response team. After joining NMSU, he brought the program to New Mexico. Wenzel warned that FMD could be carried by feral hogs, which number in the millions in Texas alone. FMD- contaminated feral hogs could shed the disease in pastures where cattle graze, he said, which “is a ticking time bomb.” Don't Trich on me Another hot animal health issue involved New Mexico regulations regard- ing control and eradication of Tricho- moniasis. The disease is spread from bulls, and causes early pregnancy loss and occasional late-term abortions. It may also extend the breeding/calving season and reduce profit potential. The New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) met during the convention and heard testimony from producers with pro and con opinions about proposed Trich regulations. The NMLB approved the revised regulations after several hours of testimony. A portion of the regulation changes requires that any stray, non-virgin bull of unknown Trich status be tested for the disease by a veterinarian, with facilitation by an NMLB inspector. Dr. Ralph Zimmerman, New Mexico state veterinarian, said New Mexico cattlemen called for action on Trich regu- lations more than a year ago.“The stron- gest supporters of the new regulations are likely those who have been through Trich infestations and faced financial losses,” he said.“This is not me looking to get into your business. This is a producer-driven issue.” “We will do a round of meetings statewide to let people know what’s going on,” Zimmerman said.“We need to get By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor Continued on page 33  New Mexico Cattlegrowers Animal Health Issues Take Center Stage at Annual Meeting CONVENTION COVERAGE FMD is a “ticking time bomb.” – Dr. John Wenzel, NMSU Extension veterinarian Dr. Ralph Zimmerman, New Mexico state veterinarian, explains the benefits of new Trick control regulations.