Join me Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and my crew as we dive into Foot & Mouth Disease, Animal Health & Disease Management. A must hear for anyone in the cattle business. Plus news, sale recaps, cattle sale info and market commentary that you will only get on this all new episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.
Season 5, EPISODE 227
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, fast-spreading viral disease that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer.
FMD is one of the most challenging animal diseases to control. Although most infected animals survive, they're left weak and unable to produce the level of meat and milk prior to infection. FMD was first discovered in the United States in 1870 and eradicated in 1929.
FMD is not a human health or food safety threat. The disease is not related to hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.
There are 7 known types and more than 60 subtypes of the FMD virus, meaning immunity to one type doesn't protect animals against other types or subtypes. The first signs of illness usually appear within 2 to 14 days after infection. Here's what to look for:
FMD Can Easily Be Confused With Other Diseases
FMD may be confused with other diseases that produce blisters, including vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, foot rot in cattle, and swine vesicular disease. The only way to tell if the blisters are caused by the FMD virus is through laboratory testing. If you observe mouth or feet blisters in your animals, report them immediately so that they can be tested.
Because FMD occurs in many parts of the world, there's always a chance it could be reintroduced into the United States. APHIS continuously monitors FMD worldwide. Our veterinarians stationed overseas help other countries control and eradicate the disease, which reduces the risk of it spreading to the United States.
At ports of entry, we work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to screen cargo and prevent travelers from bringing any products of concern into the United States. We restrict or prohibit imports of many animals and animal byproducts from areas known to be affected with FMD. We also work with the U.S. Armed Forces to make sure military vehicles and equipment are properly cleaned and disinfected before they return to the United States from international duty.
Across the country, APHIS and other Federal, State, and Tribal animal health officials work with accredited veterinarians to monitor domestic livestock for FMD. We have response plans in place that we can quickly activate if the disease is found in the United States. Click HERE for additional details.
The United States plans to impose a 20% tariff on Chinese goods, could result in a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two economic giants. In response, China is reportedly preparing countermeasures that could directly impact U.S. agriculture and food exports.
According to The Global Times, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, Beijing "will definitely carry out strong, powerful countermeasures" if the U.S. increases the current 10% tariff. The report indicates that American agricultural products, including beef and pork, are "most likely" to be targeted with new tariffs.
The trade uncertainty is already shaking U.S. agricultural markets. Hog futures have dropped 6% in recent trading sessions, according to the Daily Livestock Report (DLR). China and Hong Kong together account for 19% of U.S. beef exports and 6.5% of pork exports—significant figures that highlight the stakes of these trade tensions.
As it stands, China has already imposed a 37% tariff on U.S. pork and a 12% tariff on U.S. beef, making American meat exports less competitive in the Chinese market. A further escalation could worsen the situation for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
With agriculture facing potential economic strain, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins has signaled readiness to implement relief measures. She indicated that a financial aid package similar to the $28 billion bailout deployed during the 2018 trade war under President Trump could be reintroduced. However, reports suggest that only $4 billion remains in the fund earmarked for agricultural assistance in 2025, raising concerns about the adequacy of available support.
All eyes are on how China will respond and what further actions the U.S. might take. The agricultural sector, already facing global market challenges, is bracing for potential disruptions. For farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, staying informed about trade policy developments is crucial. If China follows through with its threats, the impact could be widespread across U.S. agriculture, affecting prices, exports, and overall farm profitability.
Canada and Mexico are also in the cross hairs of trade tariffs with both countries promising immediate retaliatory responses.
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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/foot-and-mouth