Category Archives: One Health

UK Livestock Disease Nightmare Began 10 Years Ago

This month marks the 10th anniversary since the diagnosis of FMD in the United Kingdom in February 2001.  Several 10th anniversary articles have been published recently.  Here is one that poignantly describes the pain and the resilience of those affected. … Continue reading

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FMD closes South Korea markets

South Korea was unable to shake off foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in 2010.  As the third outbreak of the year continues into 2011, the cull in South Korea has now surpassed the total of the 2002 outbreak (160,000) by 4-fold, reaching … Continue reading

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Assessment of a Risky Proposition

The livestock newswires are heating up about the recent release of a site-specific risk assessment and review of that assessment for the National Biosecurity and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) to be built in Manhattan, KS. This facility is intended to house … Continue reading

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Value of Contingency Planning

On 9/11/2001 how many airlines switched to contingency plan “grounded”?  Airlines deal with contingencies every day.  Weather and other factors lead to delays or cancellations of flights on an unpredictable but expected basis.  Usually these factors impact flights over a … Continue reading

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It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week

“Every day, the lives of Americans are touched by the hard work and dedication of our Nation’s farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers.  The food they produce through their tireless efforts fuels our Nation, nourishes our bodies, and sustains millions at home … Continue reading

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Traceability Framework

For 2 days at the end of August, almost 200 state veterinarians and livestock industry representatives met in Denver to share suggestions for and concerns about the USDA’s traceability framework, announced in February of this year. The National Institute for … Continue reading

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Butterwick Farms

Today I visited Butterwick Farm, owned by John and Lisa Roberts, in West Cornwall, Vt, with Cheryl Dorschner, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Senior Communications Professional.  It turns out that the biosecurity project I am leading has been selected … Continue reading

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Bennington Battle Day

This was a new holiday to me when I arrived in Vermont. I tried scheduling a project requiring assistance from Agency of Agriculture personnel one August 16 when I learned that this date was a state holiday. Interestingly enough, it … Continue reading

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What Does Exercising Have to do with Ag Emergency Preparedness?

Find out by watching Across the Fence just after the noon  news Tuesday July 13 on WCAX,  Channel 3.  Tim Bouton, Senior Planner with the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, and I discuss why we need to practice and how … Continue reading

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Exercising Your Mind

A month ago (8 June) at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA, more than 80 attendees representing production agriculture, law enforcement, media, and state and federal governments participated in a table-top exercise based on a simulated foot-and-mouth disease … Continue reading

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