Livestock

Zivo's revolutionary strategy to poultry disease control

ZIVO Bioscience and top animal health firm launch studies on poultry immune-boosting compounds

ZIVO Bioscience, Inc., a biotech and agtech research company developing immune-boosting compounds from proprietary algal cultures, has announced a new partnership with one of the world’s leading animal health companies

The collaboration focuses on advancing ZIVO’s novel biologics for use in the poultry industry and may expand to other livestock and companion animals in the future.

The companies have signed two agreements to conduct independent studies that will explore the potential of ZIVO’s compounds to support poultry health. The goal is to enhance existing vaccination strategies and help address diseases that continue to affect poultry production.

Expanding poultry protection

The first agreement involves a 42-day challenge study focused on coccidiosis, a common and damaging parasitic disease in poultry. This study aims to confirm earlier positive results from ZIVO’s compound, now used alongside the partner’s vaccine. It will also collect samples to evaluate new performance measures. Findings will support ZIVO’s regulatory process with the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics and help establish a strong business case for commercial use.

The second agreement outlines a study of ZIVO’s compounds using a model for a viral poultry disease that causes high mortality and has no available cure. The virus was chosen for its well-known in vivo model, clear clinical results and short testing timeline. The goal is to confirm the antiviral effects ZIVO has already observed in earlier trials, including reduced severity and spread of low-pathogenic avian influenza. Positive outcomes could lead to broader studies covering more viral diseases.

The collaborating animal health company will fully fund both studies. Researchers will assess how ZIVO’s compounds can shorten the time between vaccination and immunity, protect birds in vulnerable periods, enhance immune response and reduce the impact of diseases that suppress the immune system.

“This collaboration supports our strategy to partner with a major animal health company that brings scientific expertise and R&D infrastructure to advance our innovations to global markets efficiently and at scale,” said John Payne, chairman and CEO of ZIVO Bioscience. “We are aligned with this company on the broad applicability of our immune-modulating technology and its potential to create a disruptive, non-antibiotic therapeutic platform.”

TIKA launches fresh feed project in Libya

New livestock feed initiative for Libya

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has launched the ‘365 Days of Fresh Feed’ project in the Tajoura district of Tripoli, Libya, to support the development of the livestock sector and contribute to sustainable feed production

The ‘Hasılmatik: 365 Days of Fresh Feed’ project was implemented by TİKA in cooperation with the Municipality of Tajoura.

The project, introduced for the first time in Libya, is expected to significantly improve feed production efficiency, according to TİKA’s Tripoli coordinator, Ali Suha Bacanakgil and would have a transformative impact on the livestock sector.

“In this project, wheat and barley seeds turn into fresh fodder within 7 to 10 days. The feed produced by Hasılmatik is much more efficient than dry feed. Animals can consume it entirely, including its sprouts and roots, with 100% digestibility,” he said.

Bacanakgil outlined the intention to increase the number of local stakeholders and expand cooperation across municipalities and agricultural cooperatives.

Tajoura Deputy Mayor Ayman Al-Salim highlighted the issue of groundwater scarcity in the region, stating that the project offered a significant solution to this problem in terms of livestock production.

“A simple system, low water usage, and high productivity — this project will revitalise animal husbandry,” he said.

Mahmoud Marwan, one of the local farmers benefiting from the project, emphasised that the ‘365 Days of Fresh Feed’ system saves both land and time and noted that the resulting product is suitable for cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.

Turkey provides agricultural equipment to help support South Sudan farmers overcome food security

Nigeria imports dairy cattle from Denmark

Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With an aim to double milk production over the next five years, Nigeria has begun importing dairy cattle from Denmark, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha announced

While Nigeria is known to have considerable cattle populations, its annual milk production is limited to 700,000 tonnes — less than half of its 1.6 million-tonne demand. As a result, around 60% of the country’s dairy needs are met through imports.

"Our goal is ambitious but achievable," says Maiha. “We aim to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years."

In a further move to modernise the sector, eight new pasture species — the first in nearly five decades — have been registered, while a national strategy for animal genetic resources has been rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,” Maiha said.

APIQTC gets accreditation on technical competence

This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure safety and quality. (Image source: FAO)

The Animal Products and Inputs Quality Testing Center (APIQTC) under the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) has officially earned ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation

This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure the safety and quality of animal products and inputs, prevent and contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and safeguard human, animal, and environmental health through a One Health approach.

The accreditation confirms the APIQTC’s technical competence in performing on 13 parameters on veterinary pharmaceutical quality; Aflatoxin residue monitoring in animal source food and feed, and microbiological analysis.

These functions are vital for independently verifying animal products and inputs quality and adherence to international trade requirements and supporting public confidence. In a country where livestock plays a central role in the economy, such capabilities are indispensable for market access, trade, and sustainable agricultural development.

Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, said, “ISO accreditation is critical for Ethiopia’s agricultural sustainability and public health security. This international recognition reflects our commitment to quality assurance and our readiness to meet global food safety standards.”

WOAH designates ILRI as first One Health Collaborating Centre

The collaboration marks a pivotal step in bridging science and policy to tackle interconnected health challenges worldwide. (Image source: ILRI)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has designated the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as its first Collaborating Centre for One Health, marking a significant recognition of ILRI’s leadership in addressing complex issues at the convergence of animal, human, and environmental health

ILRI, a CGIAR centre co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, maintains headquarters in both Addis Ababa and Nairobi and operates 14 offices throughout Asia and Africa. The institute has a proven track record of applying the One Health approach to tackle pressing challenges in low- and middle-income countries, where the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental health is most pronounced.

Announcing the designation during WOAH’s 92nd General Session, ILRI director general Appolinaire Djikeng stated, “We are honored by WOAH’s designation of ILRI as a Collaborating Centre for One Health. This recognition reinforces our commitment to leveraging livestock research for healthy people, healthy animals and healthy ecosystems. Through our networks across Africa and Asia, ILRI will continue to work with partners to provide the One Health solutions that improve animal health management, drive innovations, mitigate emerging global threats and build sustainable resilience in food systems globally. In addition, ILRI seeks to strengthen the evidence base for addressing climate-related health challenges through the application of a One Health approach.”

With its new status, ILRI will drive research, capacity building, and policy engagement to support WOAH’s global One Health strategy. The centre will prioritise areas such as disease prevention, especially zoonotic and emerging diseases, using surveillance and early warning mechanisms. It will also focus on improving biosecurity and implementing value-chain interventions to lower disease risks, while contributing to epidemiological modelling, socio-economic analysis, and policy development. Climate-resilient strategies will also form a core component of its research agenda to address animal health vulnerabilities stemming from environmental changes.

WOAH director general Emmanuelle Soubeyran, stated, “ILRI’s interdisciplinary approach aligns with WOAH’s vision for One Health. Together, we can transform research into actionable policies and provide more evidence for WOAH international standards to safeguard animal health, trade and global food security. We look forward to working closely with ILRI to advance the One Health agenda and build stronger, more resilient animal health systems globally.”

This partnership represents a significant advancement in linking scientific research with policy to confront increasingly interconnected health challenges around the world.

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