Page 22 - Vol.37-No.1 issue

DAIRY FARMING

FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASES OF CONCERN:

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Although the United States has not semen, urine and milk. Transmission can
had foot and mouth disease (FMD) since occur indirectly through fomites such as
1929, it’s still affecting livestock else- contaminated footwear, clothing, equip-
where around the world — and that could ment and vehicles.
return it here. According to the World The virus is relatively stable in organic
Animal Health Organization, FMD circu- matter such as manure. In moist and cool
lates in 77 percent of the global livestock temperatures, it may remain stable for
population, including in areas in Africa, up to weeks or even months. Although
the Middle East, Asia and South Amer- the virus does not cause disease in hu-
ica. Bringing FMD to the United States mans, it can be maintained in human re-
would paralyze our agriculture and sig- spiratory tracks for up to 48 hours.
nificantly impact our economy. FMD is a reportable disease in the
FMD is a highly contagious virus that United States. Several endemic diseases
affects all cloven-hooved animals includ- currently in the United States, such as bo-
ing livestock and wildlife. It is not trans- vine viral diarrhea virus, can show clin-
missible to humans and does not pose ical signs similar to FMD. Vesicular sto- Potential losses to the beef industry
public health or food safety concerns. matitis, another reportable disease with could range from $15 billion to $100
The initial clinical signs in cattle include similar clinical signs, was diagnosed in billion. Additionally, communities and
fever and vesicles (blisters). The blisters Oklahoma in both 2019 and 2020. Pro- secondary industries reliant upon beef
may appear on the tongue and lips, be- ducers and veterinarians must report and pork production would experience
tween the claws of the feet, on the cor- any animal with unusual illness or signs long-term and potentially irreversible
onary band and on the teats. Producers consistent with disease to either their negative impacts.
may first notice lameness and salivation state veterinarian or the USDA area vet-
due to these lesions. Animals may go off erinarian in charge. State and federal animal health of-
feed due to erosions and ulcers in the ficials continue to prepare for FMD in
FMD would devastate the U.S. livestock
mouth. Abortions may occur. industry and cause catastrophic losses, the United States. Emergency response
plans are evolving and focus on potential
In cattle that have never experienced hitting both the economy and animal vaccination and limitations of movement.
FMD, it is likely all exposed cattle will welfare. Recent farm bill funding is intended to
develop the disease. Most deaths occur establish an exclusive U.S. vaccine bank
in young animals, and adult deaths are in addition to the existing North Ameri-
rare. Although adults most often recover, can FMD vaccine bank. There are seven
the long-term production losses in those known types and more than 60 subtypes
animals are significant. of the FMD virus. It is important to rec-
The virus is transmitted through aero- ognize that immunity from vaccination to
solized respiratory droplets and other one type does not establish protection
body secretions including saliva, feces, against other types or subtypes.

Circle 27 on enquiry card
CLOUD CONNECT NOW AVAILABLE FOR

JUNO & DISCOVERY 120 COLLECTOR

During this year’s Lely Future Farm Days InHerd Signals app – to be subsequently
in October a new data platform saw light: replaced by Lely Horizon – on their smart-
Lely Horizon. With the aim of connecting phone. This makes a quick follow-up pos-
all Lely products to this platform, Lely now sible.
introduces Cloud Connect for the Juno The introduction of this connection with
feed pusher and Discovery 120 Collector the Cloud is a first step in the development
manure robot. Cloud Connect provides us- of remote maintenance and troubleshoot-
ers with more control over and insight into to the pushed feed and walk on a clean ing for the Lely Juno and Discovery Col-
the performance of their Juno and Collec- floor without the need for a physical check lector. This will contribute to increased
tor. in the barn. reliability and a reduction in service costs.
Due to the fact animals are involved, the How it works Cloud Connect is, as of today, available
environment in which the robots operate for the latest generation of Juno feed push-
is constantly changing. Cloud Connect The Lely Juno and Discovery 120 Collec- er and all Discovery 120 Collector manure
sends out a notification when the status of tor share their status with the Lely Cloud robots with T4C software. For more infor-
the feed pusher or manure robot changes via the Wi-Fi network in the barn. As soon mation, please contact your local Lely
unexpectedly. Thanks to this, users can be as any unexpected situation occurs, the Center.
rest assured their cows always have access user receives a notification in the Lely T4C Circle 28 on enquiry card
20 Vol. 37 No. 1