USDA’s APHIS is leading a collaborative effort to study antimicrobial use and resistance on Midwest commercial swine farms focusing on use and resistance related to animal health and production-related indicators.

The White House says 95.6% of USDA employees have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or filed for an exemption, but the number who’ve received the vaccine is the lowest among reported federal agencies.

“Managing endemic enteric pathogens in swine populations requires accurate case definitions, proper sampling and appropriate diagnostic testing,” says Eric Burrough, Iowa State Diagnostic Laboratory.

Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was below average this past week, with 25,684 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $54.78, up $1.35 per head from last week.

President Biden planned to meet with chief executives of major retailers and companies to discuss how to move goods to shelves as the U.S. holiday shopping season begins in the shadow of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended through Feb. 28, 2022, an emergency declaration offering regularity relief for drivers who are hauling livestock and livestock feed, among other supplies.