NEWS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 113 USA-based Cornell University launched the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) modeling tool, developed by its researchers and collaborators across academia, industry, government and nonprofits. The new free modeling tool is enabling researchers, farmers and food processors to assess how changes in the ways a dairy farm is managed would influence its environmental impact, energy use and economics. RuFaS is available at no cost for open-source collaboration. Cornell researchers created the scaffolding for the model and worked with collaborators to integrate Cornell and other dairy farm research on factors like animal feed, crop growth and milk production. The model predicts outcomes such as production costs, resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. Cornell’s Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has led development of the model, with support from the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. The model synthesizes a vast array of factors and can accommodate additions of new research from multiple collaborators, said Daryl Nydam, Professor of Dairy Health and Production in CVM. He highlighted that “if you’re trying to make a decision about feeding cows, or the reproduction cycle or the nutrient cycle, you can run those decisions through this model and try it there, without mucking up the farm.” Read more>> Cornell University launches tool to cut dairy emissions and costs At the recent “From Policies to Practice – Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Together” Forum, held during Livestock Philippines 2025 from 25-27 June, Ecolex Animal Nutrition’s Global Commercial Director Edward Manchester delivered a compelling presentation on “Good Husbandry Practices to Reduce AMR”. Addressing delegates from across the livestock and poultry value chains, Manchester underscored that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical and growing global crisis that requires urgent action. “Now is the time to act,” he emphasized, posing the pivotal question: “So, what can we do?” He advocated for a coordinated, multisectoral One Health approach—integrating animal, human, and environmental health—as the most effective way forward in the fight against AMR. In the first of a four-part series, he detailed how robust biosecurity measures have been demonstrated to protect animal health and significantly reduce the need for antimicrobials. Manchester asserted that strong biosecurity is essential for preventing the introduction and spread of disease on farms, thereby minimizing the need for antimicrobial interventions. “Biosecurity is not just an option—it’s a non-negotiable foundation for sustainable livestock and poultry production,” he said. He spotlighted the best practices as: Designated Biosecurity Zones - establishing clear biosecurity zones and checkpoints with visible signage helps control access and movement on the property. Read more>> Ecolex director highlights biosecurity to combat AMR Photo: Courtesy of Ecolex Photo: Agency 29/Hill + Valley Creative
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