USDA Releases 2005 Animal Health Report

October 11, 2006 — 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its second annual report outlining domestic animal health in the U.S.

The report, entitled the 2005 United States Animal Health Report, details statistics collected during the Census of Agriculture conducted every five years and published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Data collected monthly, quarterly, and annually by the NASS is used to update the Census information. The last Census was conducted in 2002.

When compared to data contained in the 2004 Animal Health Report, the number of farms in the U.S. declined by 10,000 in 2005. Total land in farms was 933.4 million acres in 2005, which represents a decrease from 936.3 million acres in 2004, but average farm size remained relatively constant. As of December 1, 2005, there were 61.45 million hogs and pigs on 67,330 operations with a value in excess of $13.6 billion.

The report contains detailed sections on each livestock species as well as poultry, horses, honey and aquaculture with numerous maps, charts and graphs. There is also discussion on program diseases and surveillance programs for foreign animal and emerging diseases.

Of particular interest to veterinarians is a discussion of recent changes to the veterinary accreditation program. The enhanced National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) emphasizes the need for continuing education to address exotic and emerging diseases. The new program establishes two categories of accreditation - Category-I for companion animals only (excluding equids and food-animal species) and Category-II for all species.

Finally, the report provides information regarding domestic animal disease status and trade implications as well as updates on animal health events in 2005.

Source:
2005 United States Animal Health Report