NEWS 78 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2025 USA-based company Ralco acquired Sow Magic, a pioneering product developed to address the pressing issue of sow mortality, from O’Bryan Farms in Owensboro, Kentucky. By combining natural ingredients with proven science, Sow Magic provides an innovative solution to improve sow health and performance, according to Ralco’s statement. “We’re excited to bring Sow Magic to more producers,” said Glenn Bader, CEO of Ralco. “This product is a great example of how natural solutions, grounded in sound science, can have a lasting impact in our industry. While the results may feel like magic, they’re rooted in years of research and relentless problem-solving at O’Bryan Farms.” Sow Magic’s journey began over a decade ago when JW O’Bryan, owner of O’Bryan Farms, sought solutions for his herd’s health issues. “Back then, I wasn’t trying to create a product—I was just trying to fix the problems in our herd,” explained O’Bryan. “When vaccines and antibiotics stopped working like they used to, we tried every available solution, and after years of trial and error, Sow Magic was born.” Starting with efforts to improve sow survival and address prolapse issues, Sow Magic later evolved into a robust natural solution that has since proven effective across key health performance areas, including decreased sow death loss, prolapse, stillbirths, mummies, abortions and lameness. Read more>> Amid a wave of reported avian influenza infections of cattle and other mammals, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released new guidelines advising its members how to implement effective surveillance programmes for early detection of influenza in cattle. Since its emergence over two decades ago, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has evolved into various clades, FAO explained. Clade 2.3.4.4b, first detected in 2021, has demonstrated a significant capacity to infect a wide range of species, including wild birds, poultry, and more recently both terrestrial and marine mammals, including tigers, bears, seals, and pet cats and dogs. Detections in dairy cattle in 2024, along with cases among farm workers exposed to infected cattle, underscore the urgent need to strengthen surveillance systems. “Considering the worldwide spread of influenza A(H5N1) of clade 2.3.4.4b, the spillover from birds to cattle (and likely from cattle to humans) in other countries is expected,” according to FAO’s new publication, Recommendations for the surveillance of influenza A(H5N1) in cattle – with broader application to other farmed mammals. FAO’s new guidelines follow a previous technical publication summarizing the emerging situation, knowledge gaps and recommended risk management actions, and emphasize the critical role of effective passive surveillance systems that encourage reporting of suspected cases from farmers and veterinarians. Enhanced reporting should be focused on high-risk areas such as those with dense poultry or dairy cattle populations or migratory bird activity, and consideration should be given to tapping into informal sources including market price changes, social media and community networks. Read more>> Ralco acquires innovative product to improve sow health FAO releases new guidelines for early influenza detection in cattle
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