NCBA asks for major funding to expand vaccine bank

The need for a national Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank to have enough serum readily available in the event of an FMD outbreak in the US, has been discussed for a long time now. Major industries in agriculture such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Pork Producers Council have been leading those discussions, lobbying Congressional members for their support in funding such an undertaking. In a recent Beef Buzz interview with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, NCBA’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons says it is something the livestock sector desperately needs. Recently, those groups have taken it a step farther, making a formal request for funding in the next Farm Bill. Read more…