🧬 The heritability of health 📈 Seasonal demand affecting markets 🔍 China probes EU subsidies

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Calf health traits are heritable (3 minute read)

There is growing evidence that calves can inherit disease resistance from their parents. A number of sources point to heritability in the 5-10% range, similar to traits like Daughter Pregnancy Rate and Productive Life. Canadian researchers found that calves born to the bottom 10% of sires for the calf health traits were nearly two-times more likely to develop pneumonia and scours, compared to the top 10% of sires.

Ceftiofur evaluated as treatment for metritis (>30 minute read)

422 cows with clinical metritis were randomly assigned to receive Excede or no antibiotic treatment. When evaluated at 5- and 14-days post-treatment, cows treated with Excede had 1.86 greater odds of being cured at 5-days and 1.68 at 14-days. The researchers also evaluated milk production, reproduction performance, and culling of the two groups, but found no differences (the latter two are unsurprising given the size of the study). A comparison group of cows without metritis was also employed; when compared to the cows with metritis, they made more milk, were more likely to conceive, and less likely to be culled.

Growth in the lactose-free market (5 minute read)

Around 10% of the U.S. population has some level of lactose intolerance, but the lactose-free market is growing beyond this group. In the past year, lactose-free milk sales have grown 11.6%, while regular milk sales have dropped 1.7%. There are many benefits to the lactose-free products: no GI issues, longer shelf life, lower sugar, and higher protein; these characteristics are likely appealing to health-conscious consumers. Other factors driving consumers to lactose-free are not well understood. Current lactose-free products include, the well known, fairlife milk, Good Culture Probiotic Milk, and Spreadable Lactose Free Clarified Butter with Canola Oil, from Challenge Dairy Products.

Seasonal demand driving prices higher (3 minute read)

As summer comes to a close, seasonal dairy purchases are starting to take hold. Block and barrel cheese prices have moved to their highest levels since March 2023 and June 2022, respectively. Spot milk prices have gone as much as $2.00 above class, as schools return to session, and are expected to increase over the next few months. Butter also moved upward, reaching the highest price since last October and nearing the record high set in 2023.

China opens anti-subsidy probe into EU dairy imports (3 minute read)

Seemingly in response to the EU’s decision to maintain punitive duties on Chinese electric vehicles, China has opened an anti-subsidy probe into dairy imports from the EU, specifically various cheeses, milks, and creams intended for human consumption. The European Dairy Association maintains EU farm subsidies are compatible with WTO rules. The EU is China’s second-largest dairy supplier, after New Zealand. The probe will focus on 20 subsidy schemes from eight countries. This probe is on the heels of two others by China, an anti-dumping probe into pork imports in June, and a January anti-dumping investigation involving brandy.

Modulating the rumen microbiome to suppress methane production (2 minute read)

Bovotica is developing a proprietary probiotic/prebiotic feed supplement that will reduce methane emissions and increase production efficiency. The product is mainly composed of hydrogenotrophic bacteria that naturally inhabit the rumen, but increases their numbers such that they outcompete methane producing microbes. The probiotics also produce additional short-chain fatty acids that are used by the cattle as an energy source. The product has not yet been field tested.

Fonterra exploring animal-free products (5 minute read)

Joining the likes of Danone and Leprino Foods, Fonterra has partnered with Superbrewed Food and Nourish Ingredients to develop animal-free proteins and fats, respectively. Both companies use biomass fermentation, a process that relies on the growth of yeast, fungi, or algae to generate the end product. Fonterra’s Chief Science & Technology Officer says dairy will always be the core of their business, but they see emerging technologies that can work alongside their dairy portfolio as a way to expand the range of products and choices they offer consumers. These partnerships are also a means for Fonterra to help reach their commitment to reduce emissions from dairy by 30% per ton of fat and protein corrected milk by 2030.

USDA asked to support H5Nx vaccine development (6 minute read)

U.S. dairy, turkey, and egg producer groups have requested that the USDA support development of a vaccine effective against H5Nx varieties of influenza, citing a need for a change in strategy with the virus. The current outbreak began in January 2022 and has claimed 101 million birds and infected over 190 dairy herds. A vaccine must be economical, come with a distribution strategy, and be preceded by discussions with international trading partners. Absent from the USDA letter was the National Chicken Council (broiler chickens), who maintain reservations that the benefits of a vaccine would outweigh the trade costs. Most countries, including the U.S., do not recognize countries that vaccinate as being HPAI-free and will not import product from these countries.

Where the cheese is stored (1 minute read)

When the U.S. government purchases surplus cheese, where does it go? To a network of underground caves beneath Springfield, MO. The limestone caves were first put to use in the early 1980s, with their vast size and controlled climate offering an ideal storage facility. Although the caves are still in use today, much of the cheese is owned by private companies, rather than the U.S. government.