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This summer’s outbreak has mostly affected equines, with just two cattle operations reporting the disease so far.

Packer participation in the cattle market was an issue even before Friday night’s fire at Tyson’s Holcomb, Kan., beef packing facility.

Rift Valley fever virus is a global health concern that is caused by infected mosquitos and the handling of infected animal carcasses.

Veterinarians and livestock producers have adapted to significant changes in antimicrobial regulations, and change will continue as the FDA works through its five-year plan for antimicrobial stewardship.

Meat could be a target for higher taxes given criticism of the industry’s role in climate change, deforestation and animal cruelty, according to a report by Fitch Solutions Macro Research.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says the fire at Tyson’s beef facility will affect many individuals and businesses in the beef industry that fuels western Kansas, and offered the state’s support.

While the cattle industry continues to refine preventive measures, treatments and overall management, feedlot morbidity, mortality and costs associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) stubbornly refuse to improve.

In a head-scratching week of data, estimated cattle slaughter was 9,000 head higher following the Tyson fire, cattle prices were down 5% or more, and yet wholesale beef prices rose 9%.

Feeder steers sold steady to $2 higher, with instances of heavier cattle selling $6 to $7 higher in special sales in the Southern Plains.

In the cattle and beef industry, widely varying seasonal price patterns exist for all classes of cattle as well as for each of the many beef products produced in the industry.