New Issue of ARS Healthy Animals Newsletter Available

By Sharon Durham
October 21, 2009

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) today posted a new issue of "Healthy Animals." This quarterly online newsletter compiles ARS news and expert resources on the health and well-being of agricultural livestock, poultry and fish.

Each quarter, one article in "Healthy Animals" focuses on a particular element of ARS animal research. The current issue examines using climate change as a predictor for parasite- and vector-induced animal diseases. This supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture research priority of responding to climate change.

Other research highlighted in this issue includes:

• Rangeland plants may harbor viruses transmitted by grasshoppers to cattle.
• Two catnip compounds can discourage stable flies' bites.
• Researchers combine two strategies to combat fire ants' spread.

Professionals interested in animal health issues may want to bookmark the site as a resource for locating animal health experts. An index lists ARS research locations covering approximately 70 animal health topics. These range from specific diseases, such as Lyme disease, to broad subjects like nutrition or parasites.

The site also provides complete contact information for the more than 25 ARS research groups that conduct studies aimed at protecting and improving farm animal health.

To receive an e-mail alert about each future issue's posting online, contact Sharon Durham, ARS Information Staff, or sign up online.

ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.