The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Key deer from National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida. USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirms this is a local infestation of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). This is the first local infestation in the United States in more than 30 years. In response to this infestation, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam declared an agricultural state of emergency in Monroe County, Florida.

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The Minnesota Pork Board encourages you to attend their upcoming Responsible Antibiotic Use Workshops on November 10 (Mankato) and 11 (Marshall). Experts and peers will share their perspectives on the Federal Rules going into effect on January 1, 2017. Learn about on-farm implementation strategies, ways to reduce need for antibiotics, and partnerships between feed suppliers, farmers and veterinarians.

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak is seeing nominations for membership on the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Animal Health. The committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on strategies, policies, and programs to prevent, control or eradicate animal diseases.

Members will be chosen from a broad spectrum of agricultural interests from among the animal health community and will serve a 2-year term. 

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