Animal Health Update - February 2025

A global look at what is driving animal health, sustainability, and more.

This month, “Februdairy”, rightly celebrates the vital role of the dairy sector in the global food system and wider economy. But beyond its contribution to food security, nutrition and livelihoods, it also plays a vital role in driving a more sustainable food system.

A healthy dairy herd – like all other livestock – is not only more productive, but also more sustainable. Healthy animals?emit fewer emissions, produce more milk, and improve land and resource efficiencies, helping to reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint.

As we recognize the importance of the dairy sector this month, let’s reflect on how improved animal health management practices across the livestock sector can drive positive environmental change, ensuring a sustainable future for both farming communities and the planet, while at the same time helping to tackle global hunger and nutrition challenges.

Latest news

A selection of notable articles from the past few weeks?

Rising Temperatures Make Brazilian Bull DNA a Coveted Commodity

Bloomberg

• Summary:?Dairy producers in Nigeria are importing semen from Brazil to breed a new generation of cows that can withstand the African climate and produce more milk.
• Why it matters:?Improved genetics and breeding is an increasingly important strategy, alongside feed and health improvements, for driving up productivity without requiring additional resources or generating additional emissions.
• Dive deeper:?Read the FAO's 'Pathways to Lower Livestock Emissions' report, which highlights how genetics can reduce global livestock emissions by 8%.

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WOAH launches The Animal Echo: A global knowledge space for animal health and welfare

World Organisation for Animal Health

• Summary:?The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has launched 'The Animal Echo,' an online platform to share global insights on animal health and welfare.
• Why it matters:?The new platform will assist international collaboration, enhancing understanding of animal health's impact on global issues like food security, public health, and climate change.

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Better, not fewer, livestock is the key to a greener future in Africa

CNBC Africa

• Summary:?Huyam Salih, Director at AU-IBAR explains how with the right actions, improved livestock nutrition, health and husbandry can help livestock farms in Africa deliver food security and sustainability.
• Why it matters:?With populations growing in the global south, countries must consider how to achieve the dual goals of 'calories and climate' to build a sustainable future.
• Dive deeper:?FAO's 'Roadmap to Achieving SDG2?without breaching the 1.5 °C threshold' considers this question further.

Cows have been infected with a second form of bird flu

New York Times

• Summary:?Authorities announced that a new form of bird flu was detected in U.S. dairy cattle in Nevada, contrary to previous belief that cattle were not susceptible to this form.
• Why it matters:?The emergence of a new strain within dairy cattle shows a continued risk of infection and continued need for?monitoring, biosecurity and other controls.

On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they're losing the battle

NPR

• Summary:?U.S egg farmers continue to battle a difficult outbreak of HPAI that is evading many defenses and sweeping through flocks.
• Why it matters:?The outbreak is devastating to animal welfare and prompting discussions about what measures, from biosecurity to possibly vaccination,?can be taken to stop it.

Insights and Research

Notable research on animal health, sustainability and more

“By implementing a combination of strategies, including genetic improvement, effective health management, and precision farming, producers can significantly boost productivity while minimizing environmental impact."

Sustainable livestock management is multi-faceted, relying on improvements in animal health as well as rotational grazing, agroforestry, and precision feeding to increase productivity while minimizing ecological footprints, according to a new paper from scientists in Indonesia.

The literature review highlighted:

• Effective health management practices are crucial for maintaining high productivity levels. Healthy animals are more productive, and proactive health management can reduce the economic losses associated with illness and mortality.
• By improving the nutritional quality of feed and reducing waste, livestock producers can achieve higher growth rates and better overall health in their animals, leading to increased productivity.
• Access to clean and adequate water is vital for livestock productivity. Studies indicate that water quality and availability directly impact animal health and growth rates.

Dig deeper:?Read the full paper:?Sustainable Livestock Management: Strategies for Enhancing Productivity While Reducing Environmental Impact

From the Archives

Resources from leaders in animal health and sustainability

Improved Cattle Health Can Reduce GHG’s

Global Dairy Platform

This report by the Global Dairy Platform explores the effect of proactive animal health management; the economic impact of animal health improvement measures (AHIMs); and how these could be included in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) under the Paris Agreement.

Key insights include:

• Healthier cattle reduce GHG emissions: Improved reproductive performance, disease control, and management practices can cut emissions intensity by up to 40%.
• AHIMs deliver better returns for farmers: Some dairy farmers see a tenfold return on investment while reducing emissions when they implement better animal health management practices.
• Scaling adoptions requires standardized tools: Effective measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems are essential for integrating AHIMs into climate policies like Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Read more.

Something to share

One interesting item to share with your networks

Source:?Animal health, human health, and environment are part of a deeply interconnected system?

Before you go...

Mark these “World Days” and events coming up soon in your calendars!

Love Your Pet Day (February 20), and World Wildlife Day (March 04).

Check us out on?Twitter/X,?Facebook?and?LinkedIn?where we'll be celebrating these days and more.