The discovery has the potential to reduce reliance on antibiotics and ultimately help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals, said Adrian Barragan, associate research professor and extension veterinarian at Penn State and co-lead author on the paper.

The findings are particularly significant for the organic dairy industry where antibiotic use is restricted, he added, and may also pave the way for future studies in humans on the use of sugar-based formulations for uterine infections such as endometritis.

“The disease is an infection of the uterus that occurs after calving and it’s one of the top diseases that affect dairy cattle in the United States,” said Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes at Penn State and co-lead author on the study. “We treat cows with antibiotics only when necessary to ensure their welfare, following strict withdrawal periods to prevent residues in milk. Minimizing antibiotic use helps reduce the risk of resistant bacteria that can impact farm workers, families and communities. Antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine is a growing public health concern, so the main goal of this research was to test an antibiotic-free alternative option against the current gold standard for treating this prevalent disease.”

The study compared two treatments for a common uterine infection, called clinical metritis, that can lead to serious health problems for dairy cows. The condition is typically treated using systemic antibiotics, like ceftiofur, which are effective in treating the condition, but may contribute to the growing antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals.

“We have been searching for alternative therapies that can effectively treat metritis without relying on antibiotics,” Barragan said. “We asked two main questions when studying an alternative: Do the animals get cured with this treatment? And do treated animals have similar performance? Although the alternative treatment had the same clinical cure rate as the antibiotics, the answer wasn’t as clear cut as expected since performance between treatment groups differed based on disease severity.”

The study focused on using intrauterine dextrose, a sugar solution, as a possible alternative treatment. Dextrose has been extensively studied in animal and human clinical research for its ability to plasmolyze harmful bacteria, essentially the strong sugar solution pulls water out of the bacteria, causing them to dry out and die, Barragan explained. The approach had shown some promise in human wound healing, but previous studies in cattle yielded mixed results.

“We were hopeful that we would find positive results, but we were definitely not expecting to find that both treatments worked similarly for mild cases of metritis,” Barragan said. “That was a very exciting discovery.”

To investigate the effectiveness of dextrose, the researchers conducted a study on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania. They enrolled 77 cows diagnosed with clinical metritis and randomly assigned them to one of two treatment groups: intrauterine dextrose or systemic ceftiofur. The researchers then monitored the cows’ recovery and analyzed their uterine microbial communities using advanced DNA sequencing to better understand the overall health of their microbiomes.

Although the sample size was not ideal for assessing clinical cure rate, Barragan said, the results suggested that both treatments had similar clinical cure rates, meaning dextrose could be just as effective as antibiotics in treating mild metritis cases.

Additionally, the analysis of the cows’ microbiomes revealed that dextrose does not significantly disrupt the bacterial balance of bacteria in the reproductive tract, unlike antibiotics, which can alter microbial communities and potentially impact the long-term health of the cow, Ganda explained.

Further research is needed to understand the full potential of dextrose as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, Barragan said, but one day that potential could even extend to treating humans.

“Our findings may be applicable for reproductive disease in human medicine,” he said. “In fact, we were inspired by medical literature and sugar-based wound treatments for people.”

The other Penn State authors on the paper are Jennine Lection, who earned a doctoral degree from Penn State and is currently an assistant professor at North Carolina State University; Emily Van Syoc, postdoctoral scholar; Asha Miles, former postdoctoral research associate who is currently a research geneticist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Julia Hamilton, undergraduate student; Marcela Martinez, research technologist; and Justin Silverman, assistant professor of statistics and of medicine and faculty fellow of the Institute for Computational and Data Science. Santiago Bas of the Germany-based feed company Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH also contributed to the paper.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Appropriations, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the National Institutes of Health funded this research.

–Adrienne Berard
Penn State

The post New Treatment for Dairy Cows Could Help Fight Antibiotic Resistance, Study Finds appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

“The Corporate Transparency Act requires millions of family farmers and ranchers to file complex paperwork and disclose beneficial ownership information with the federal government under penalty of severe fines and jailtime,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “FinCEN should do the right thing and provide a realistic delay to the Corporate Transparency Act until Congress has an opportunity to provide a permanent fix that protects family farmers and ranchers.”

On Monday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a nationwide preliminary injunction on the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act, holding that the government is likely to prevail in a constitutional challenge. This decision places many small businesses in jeopardy that have not yet filed Beneficial Ownership Information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In light of the Fifth Circuit’s decision, FinCEN announced it will delay enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act until January 13, 2025—just three weeks from now. This delay does not allow enough time for millions of small businesses to comply with the law, and it is deeply concerning that FinCEN will proceed with enforcing this law when it has failed to give adequate notice and instructions to law abiding family business owners.

NCBA will continue fighting for a permanent solution that protects cattle farmers and ranchers from this overreaching mandate. In the meantime, cattle producers are advised to consult their attorney and/or tax professional regarding this new development.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

–National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The post NCBA Warns Cattle Producers That Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements Will Return appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

Other key findings in the report were:

• Of the 75.8 million hogs and pigs, 69.8 million were market hogs, while 6.00 million were kept for breeding.
• Between September and November 2024, 35.2 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, up 2% from the same time period one year earlier.
• From September through November 2024, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 11.92 pigs per litter.
• U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.93 million sows farrow between December 2024 and February 2025, and 2.95 million sows farrow between March 2025 and May 2025.
• Iowa hog producers accounted for the largest inventory among the states, at 24.6 million head. Minnesota had the second largest inventory at 9.50 million head. North Carolina was third with 8.20 million head.

To obtain an accurate measurement of the U.S. swine industry, NASS surveyed 6,046 operators across the nation during the first half of December. The data collected were received online through NASS’s Respondent Portal, by mail, telephone and through face-to-face interviews.

The Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report and all other NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.

–USDA NASS

The post United States Hog Inventory Up 1 Percent appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

While the farm is still in the works, excitement is already growing.

Spanning 6.5 acres at Secrest Arboretum, this new farm will serve as an educational hub for Ohio’s Christmas tree growers. The project will focus on helping new and experienced growers alike learn best practices for tree farming, from planting to pruning. It’s a place where hands-on training will meet decades of research, and an opportunity to carry forward the legacy of Ohio State’s Christmas tree research.

“This farm will be a place where new growers can learn and practice everything they need to know, from layout and planting to shearing and harvesting. And it’s not just about growing trees; it’s about growing skills. We want growers to feel confident when they step onto their own farms,” said Jake Nicholson, nontimber forest product specialist in CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources and the lead of the new project.

A legacy of innovation

The story of Ohio State’s work with Christmas trees dates to the early 1970s, when CFAES researcher Jim Brown began experimenting with breeding trees that could thrive in Ohio’s heavy clay soils. His work led to the creation of the Ohio State Canaan fir, now the state’s most popular variety.

Brown’s efforts not only helped Ohio growers produce high-quality trees, but also fostered a trusted relationship between CFAES and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association.

“Dr. Brown’s legacy is still alive in every tree that grows here at CFAES,” says Nicholson. “His research gave Ohio’s growers a new tree they could grow in their own soil that could better compete with imported varieties, and it established a lasting partnership between the university and the Christmas tree industry. Thanks to his groundwork, we’re able to launch this demonstration farm, which will have a lasting impact on Ohio’s growers and the public.”

A place to learn, grow, and trim

The Ohio State CFAES Demonstration Christmas Tree Farm will provide a unique educational resource, with programming aimed at giving Ohio’s Christmas tree growers the tools and confidence to succeed.

“We’ll be teaching every step of the growing process: site selection, pest control, trimming, and more,” says Nicholson. “This farm is a place where growers can learn and refine their techniques on trees that won’t ever have to go to market.”

The farm will also be a public-facing resource, offering visitors the chance to learn about the Christmas tree industry and CFAES’ long-standing research.

“There will be interpretive signage throughout the site, helping visitors understand the importance of real trees and the rich history of research here at CFAES,” Nicholson adds.

Looking to the future of Ohio Christmas trees

While the Ohio State Canaan fir has already made a mark on Ohio’s Christmas tree industry, Nicholson and his team are excited about the future.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the cultivation of Christmas tree varieties like the Canaan fir,” Nicholson says. “The demonstration farm will allow us to explore new techniques to improve growth, form, and efficiency for growers, and we’re also looking at new ways Canaan fir could be used, such as for landscaping or yard trees.”

The new farm will not only be an asset for tree growers but will also serve as a space for future outreach on broader agricultural and environmental topics, in collaboration with other CFAES units.

“The farm will support not just extension for Christmas tree growers, but will also be available for students to engage in hands-on learning about soil testing, pest management, and more,” Nicholson explains.

For more information on the project and the farm’s development, visit Secrest Arboretum and the CFAES Wooster campus.

— Ohio State University CFAES

The post OSU to Launch New Demonstration Christmas Tree Farm at CFAES Wooster appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

As of Dec. 23, 2024, that nationwide injunction is no longer enforceable, and the BOI reporting requirements of the CTA have been reinstated. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a temporary stay on the nationwide injunction. The Fifth Circuit found that the government made a strong showing that it is likely to succeed in proving that the CTA is constitutional. The court explained that Congress exercised its broad authority under the Commerce Clause to pass the CTA, aiming to regulate the anonymous ownership and operation of businesses that constitute an “economic class of activities” significantly affecting interstate commerce. Consequently, the court determined that the reporting requirement for such businesses is within the scope of the Commerce Clause.

The court further concluded that “a last-minute injunction of a statute proposed and passed by the people’s representatives inevitably causes irreparable harm.” Additionally, the court determined that the burden on businesses required to report is minimal. When weighed against the “public’s urgent interest in combatting financial crime and safeguarding national security,” the court found that a stay of the injunction was justified.

Following the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, the Department of the Treasury issued an alert on the FinCEN website acknowledging that reporting companies may require additional time to comply with the CTA due to the period when the preliminary injunction was in place. As a result, the reporting deadlines have been extended as follows:

• Reporting companies established or registered before January 1, 2024, now have until January 13, 2025, to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN. (Previously, these companies were required to report by January 1, 2025).
• Reporting companies formed or registered in the United States on or after September 4, 2024, and before December 3, 2024, have until January 13, 2025, to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN.
• Reporting companies formed or registered in the United States between December 3, 2024, and December 23, 2024, have an additional 21 days beyond their original filing deadline to submit their initial BOI reports to FinCEN.
• All reporting companies created or registered in the United States on or after January 1, 2025, have 30 days to file their initial BOI reports with FinCEN.

So, what does it all mean? 

If your farm business is registered in Ohio, compliance with the CTA’s reporting requirements is once again mandatory. While farm businesses now have a slight extension to meet the BOI reporting requirements, it is probably best practice not to delay too long.

This situation is unfolding quickly. This case may still undergo further review by the Fifth Circuit or potentially reach the Supreme Court of the United States. Additionally, several other federal courts are currently evaluating challenges to the CTA. We will make every effort to keep you informed promptly as the situation develops.

— Jeffrey K. Lewis, Esq., Program Coordinator, Income Tax Schools
Ohio State University CFAES

The post Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

I hope all of you will be able to look back on the year’s greatness. Put your pencil to paper as you consider all you learned from 2024; some very important lessons were sprinkled in there.

To give time for reflection and enjoyment this holiday season, we will not be sending out our daily emails the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The Morning Ag Clips’ daily email will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

There will still be news articles published on our site, so make sure to stay up-to-date by going to morningagclips.com. Every day there will be something new, and there will be an editor watching for breaking ag news every day. But like you, we all need a break, and the only way to get it is to be extremely intentional about it, so we are!

Here’s to you, your family, and a prosperous and healthy New Year! We will see you in 2025!

With love,
Kate

The post Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

I expect the January Cattle Inventory report to show some additional liquidation has occurred leading to a smaller calf crop in 2025. It seems most likely that the summer of 2026 is the soonest substantial national heifer retention may begin. While there is recently elevated uncertainty around international trade that should not be overlooked, most anticipate domestic beef availability to decline perhaps by 2-3% per year (per person) in 2025 and 2026.

Given this setting and the opportunity for some extended armchair-pondering around the holidays, some context on economic concepts and an important historical reminder is prudent. Economists analyzing the beef industry use the term “demand” to refer to the willingness and ability to buy beef at a specific price. A change in beef demand is not triggered by changes in beef prices but rather by consumer income or wealth adjustments, changes in prices of other goods, or perceptions of beef quality evolving. To this later point, the clear improvement in overall beef quality (simple example is Prime or Upper Choice percentage versus past decades) has been core to beef demand growth (see K-State demand indices here: https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-domestic-meat-demand-indices-usdabls-data/monthly-domestic-0 ).

As we turn to 2025 it is important to pause and connect the dots around things such as current feedlot supplies, future breeding herd size and corresponding beef availability, and what one may expect at the retail and food service level. Yes, lower beef supplies are expected and with that, most anticipate higher end-user beef prices. In fact, the industry should be hoping for that! Research with Melissa McKendree, Ted Schroeder, and Nathan Hendricks (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1093/ajae/aaz034 ) shows that feeder cattle sellers stand to gain the most when beef demand grows, and lose the most when demand falters.

If alternatively, lower beef availability is observed in conjunction with flat or lower beef prices, then beef demand clearly declined. In that unfortunate situation, economic viability for most in the industry also declines. While some younger market participants may dismiss this scenario, recall the 1980s & 90s was a period largely characterized by a shrinking herd, weakening beef demand, and overall decline in industry vitality. Indeed, lower beef volumes alone do not guarantee higher beef nor cattle prices. This experience is worth periodic reflection as the industry has made massive improvements that should not be overlooked or taken for granted. To the extent that beef prices increase reflecting stable or growing beef demand that indeed is a market outcome that should not only “be allowed” but encouraged. While the term “demand destruction” is likely to appear more in coming months, industry stakeholders are encouraged to take pause and in fact hope that higher prices develop reflecting stable or growing beef demand.

Finally, and most importantly I wish all readers a Merry Christmas, the ability to see the true reason for the season, and a joyous New Year.

— Glynn T. Tonsor, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

The post In the Cattle Markets: Dec. Cattle on Feed Report & Cautionary Note on “Demand Destruction” appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

West has done just that, impacting the lives of thousands of youths through community clubs, SPIN clubs, school programs and camps.

A Vinton County 4-H volunteer commented, “Over my years of involvement with the 4-H program, one thing has remained the same: Travis’ determination to provide quality programming and endless opportunities for the youth and adults in our county.”

Working in a rural, low-income county where barriers such as transportation impact 4-H involvement, West focuses on providing opportunities for positive youth development through in-school and after-school programs. Thanks to his efforts, more than 60% of the eligible youth in Vinton County are connected to 4-H each year.

Throughout his nearly 20 years as a 4-H educator, West has also made strides in growing teen opportunities in Vinton County. Under his leadership, the Junior Fair Board has grown to include 20 youth leaders each year, and he has cultivated an active residential camping program that boasts more than 25 teen counselors annually.

West also works with local schools to host a teen leadership retreat each year, coordinates a student-led peer prevention program at the high school and middle school levels, and works with the county workforce development initiative to organize and facilitate a nine-weeklong program for middle school students that teaches life and career skills.

“Travis is a tremendous 4-H educator,” said Hannah Epley, associate state 4-H leader. “He continually seeks ways to better himself as a professional and assists his colleagues in the process. We are fortunate to have him in this capacity, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the 4-H program.”

Outside of his work with teen 4-H members, West provides expertise in animal sciences, with a particular focus on rabbits. He has developed curriculum that has been shared statewide on the Ten Good Production Practices for Livestock and has addressed how these practices can best be applied to rabbits.

“He serves as an excellent role model to fellow colleagues, demonstrating how to balance his work in his local communities with his involvement at the state and national level,” said a fellow 4-H professional. “Travis is willing to share his successes, just as easily his struggles, and never holds back in order to assist another. He is an exemplary professional, investing in his community, supporting his colleagues, and making a lasting, positive impact in this world.”

— Ohio State University CFAES

The post Vinton County 4-H Educator Honored with Excellence in 4-H Award appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

“Farm Bureau thanks the House and the Senate for finding common ground and passing legislation that will keep the government open and help farmers who are struggling with natural disasters, high supply costs and out-of-reach interest rates,” said American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall. “For many farmers, the disaster relief provided through the CR will be the difference between planting for another year or going out of business.”

Duvall said the economic and disaster assistance in the CR is a temporary fix to long-term challenges facing America’s farmers. The farm bill extension also offers a short reprieve, and gives lawmakers some breathing room to pass a modernized farm bill that will provide risk management support.

“If there was ever a prime example of the impact that Farm Bureau has in the nation’s capital, this is it,” said Bill Patterson, president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “I was able to see, firsthand in Washington, the effective leadership of Farm Bureau at all levels when fighting for policies that are so important to agriculture. From President Duvall working long hours on The Hill, to state Farm Bureau presidents meeting with key lawmakers, to Ohio Farm Bureau staff working directly with our state’s delegation and, most importantly, thousands of members making their voices heard, the power of Farm Bureau was evident in giving farmers the support they need to overcome the challenges of 2024 and the certainty required to plan for a successful 2025.”

The final measure did not include authorization for year-round E-15 sales, which benefits farmers, leads to lower fuel prices, and helps America reach its sustainability goals. This is an initiative Farm Bureau will continue to push for in 2025, according to Duvall, as well as a new, 5-year farm bill.

“We urge them to build on the bipartisan efforts demonstrated during the CR to pass a new five-year farm bill that delivers certainty for rural America and ensures a stable food supply for the nation.”

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

— Ty Higgins, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

The post Farm Bureau Applauds Congress for Full Passage of Continuing Resolution appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) President and CEO Barbara O’Brien pointed to a collective effort of national and local teams that delivered results this year.

“The checkoff is working, and we have achieved a lot in building the next chapter of our history,” said O’Brien, who outlined “now, next and future” checkoff strategies at this year’s joint annual meeting. “This success was made possible by the dedication and hard work of everyone across the checkoff federation. This was a strong year of results as we continue to work with and through others to catalyze action against our trust- and sales-building priorities.”

Checkoff-led highlights from 2024 include:

Increasing Dairy Access in Schools

A partnership provided hot chocolate milk to students during a pilot with Chartwells K12, which serves more than 2 million meals daily at 700 school districts. National Dairy Council (NDC) and Chartwells launched the Hot Chocolate Milk program in 58 schools, which features hot chocolate milk – with toppings such as cinnamon and peppermint – served during breakfast and lunch.

Another school pilot offered lactose-free chocolate milk and increased consumption and reached students who weren’t drinking milk because of real or perceived lactose intolerance. NDC and American Dairy Association Mideast worked with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) to offer the country’s first single-serve lactose-free chocolate milk program. When compared to the rest of the district, the pilot schools experienced a 16-percent increase in milk consumption. The pilot was so successful that CPS is offering lactose-free chocolate milk in all schools.

Partnerships Growing Sales

The checkoff’s longstanding strategy of working with and through powerful partners continues to deliver results. For example, the checkoff supported Domino’s with its launch of cheese-centric items, including the New York Style Pizza and five-cheese mac and cheese.

This strategy of working with pizza partners also continues to find success internationally, a key tactic to reach the 95% of the world’s population that lives outside of the United States. DMI’s partnership with Pizza Hut Japan led to the chain announcing a permanent 30% increase of cheese use on all pizzas.

Other partnership innovations included working with General Mills to create YoBark, a yogurt-based snack designed to give families a tasty option and expand yogurt’s presence in the snacking category.

Sharing The Science of Dairy

One emerging research area is dairy’s impact on the first 1,000 days of life – encompassing pregnancy through a child’s second birthday. This is a critical period for brain development, which is impacted by nutrition and dairy can significantly support cognitive development, thanks to nutrients including iodine and choline. Checkoff organizations nationally and locally teamed with MilkPEP to elevate awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions with expecting mothers and parents seeking nutrition guidance.

NDC also showed its ability to convene thought leaders when it hosted more than 100 national and international health and wellness experts for a two-day scientific conference addressing the dairy matrix, the concept of exploring the unique nutrient, non-nutrient and molecular compositions of dairy foods. Among the meeting attendees were representatives and speakers from major health professional organizations leading universities and organizations.

Supporting Dairy’s Sustainability Legacy

 The checkoff is focused on deepening its knowledge and attracting the investment in research on practices and technologies that work from a mitigation standpoint, and tools and resources to support adoption. DMI is tracking more than $29 million in additional investment from partners for pilot projects and research that empower sustainability action. One example is the Greener Cattle Initiative, a collaboration which announced a second round $5 million funding for enteric methane mitigation research.

The checkoff launched the Dairy Conservation Navigator, a resource hub designed to provide farm advisors, stakeholders and conservation professionals with science-based information on sustainable practices and technologies. Checkoff scientists and others developed a list of 80-plus practices that have a positive environmental benefit.

Checkoff Sparking Innovation

 The checkoff showcased dairy innovation and its nutrition package to 70,000 people attending Natural Products Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry. DMI unveiled its www.InnovateWithDairy.com tool, which serves as a one-stop shop for anyone seeking information about dairy innovation.

DMI also kept its focus on future innovators with its New Product Competition. A University of Minnesota team took first with a creamy Norwegian-style, whey-based cheese spread.

More checkoff results, including financial reports, can be found at www.dairycheckoff.com.

About Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is funded by America’s more than 26,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

–Dairy Management Inc.

The post 2024 Checkoff Highlights Drive Sales, Trust, Innovation for Dairy Industry appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.