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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for December 16, 2005
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA
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TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE BRAKKE CONSULTING 2006 INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Last day to receive early-registration discount is SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18!
see below for details
IN THE NEWS:
other news
Bayer
Bioniche
Cross Vetpharm
Ecolab
First Priority
Genus
Omega Protein (up for sale)
Omega Protein (equine supplement)
Sygen
Virbac
Vita Flex
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ANIMALHEALTHJOBS.COM
December 15, 2005: One Year Anniversary!
Looking for a change in the new year? Come see the 40+ available open positions at www.AnimalHealthJobs.com.
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Bayer announced that Gunnar Riemann, head of the Animal Health division, will become head of the Pharmaceuticals division. His successor will be Peter Nicklin, presently responsible for business development at Bayer HealthCare. (Forbes.com)
> Virbac Corporation announced that Virbac S.A. has made a proposal to acquire the 39.7% outstanding shares of common stock not already owned by Virbac S.A. or its subsidiaries for $4.15 per share in cash, representing an aggregate all cash purchase price of approximately $37.0 million. Virbac S.A., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Interlab S.A.S. (“Interlab”), is the largest stockholder of Virbac Corporation and is the beneficial owner of approximately 60.3% of Virbac Corporation’s outstanding common stock. (press release)
> The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by First Priority, Inc. The ANADA provides for topical use of miconazole nitrate as a spray or lotion on dogs and cats for the treatment of certain fungal infections. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)
> The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd. The ANADA provides for the oral use of sulfadimethoxine soluble powder to create a solution administered as a drench to cattle or in the drinking water of chickens, turkeys, or cattle for the treatment of coccidiosis or various bacterial diseases. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)
> Vita Flex introduced Galloping Gourmet Elite Horse Treats. The new Treats are full of the finest ingredients including rice bran, barley, oats and molasses, and have a money-back guarantee to please even the most finicky horse. (company press release)
> Omega Protein introduced OmegaEquis, a natural menhaden fish oil specifically formulated for horses. OmegaEquis contains 30 – 40% omega-3 fatty acids, primarily in the form of long-chain DHA and EPA. The product has butterscotch flavoring and is preserved with vitamin E. (Feed Management)
> Zapata Corp. reported its board of directors has authorized management to seek a buyer for its 58% common equity interest in Omega Protein Corp. Omega Protein is the largest US producer of fish meal and oil. Omega Protein reported loss of ($6.1 million) for its third quarter of 2005. (Feedstuffs online)
> Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. announced that it has completed its previously announced private financing, which has been increased to $US 18.5 million, consisting of shares, debt, convertible debt, and a warrant, with Laurus Funds (a US-based institutional investor). The terms of this financing were also moderately restructured and improved from that previously announced. The proceeds will be used to refinance all existing North American debt and for product development and working capital. (PharmaLive)
> A merger of livestock genetics giants Genus PLC and Sygen International PLC was completed last week with the acquisition of Sygen by Genus, combining the largest beef and dairy cattle and swine breeders in the world. Genus conducts bovine genetics research as ABS Global Inc., while Sygen conducts porcine genetics research as PIC. Sygen also does shrimp breeding work as SyAqua. The announcement said Genus will be the surviving company, which will operate under the ABS, PIC and SyAqua brands. The acquisition was a cash deal valued at 187.5 million British pounds ($325 million). (Feedstuffs online)
> Ecolab Inc. announced the introduction of Micro Fiber Dairy towels. These new, reusable towels designed for intensive use in milking preparation and udder hygiene are made from a microfilament fabric that improves performance and overall productivity of the towels during milking routines. (company press release)
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SIGN UP NOW TO ATTEND BRAKKE CONSULTING’S 2006 INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Brakke Consulting will once again be presenting our 2006 Industry Overview at the North American Veterinary Conference and the Western Veterinary Conference.
NAVC
The 2006 Industry Overview will be presented on Monday, January 9 from 2pm – 4pm at the Gaylord Palms.
Sunday, December 18 is the last day to receive the early-registration discount!
WVC
The 2006 Industry Overview will be presented on Tuesday, February 21 from 8:30am – 10:30 am at the Four Seasons hotel adjacent to the Mandalay Bay.
Early registration is $325 for the first company attendee and $300 for additional attendees at the same presentation. To register, call Jane Morgan at 972-243-4033 or email jmorgan@brakkeconsulting.com.
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> JAPAN – US BEEF TRADE OPEN Under an agreement announced on December 12 between Japan and the US, the US is once again able to export beef to Japan from cattle 20 months of age and younger. In 2003, the US exported $1.4 billion worth of beef and beef products to Japan. (Wattnet Meatnews)
> VIETNAM – AVIAN INFLUENZA Avian influenza has been reported in two more provinces in Viet Nam; Yen Bai Province in the northern mountainous region and Quang Tri in the center. The latest outbreak killed 500 ducks in a household in Quang Tri’s Gio Linh District late last month, forcing the farmer to cull a total of 5,000 birds. Later tests confirmed that the ducks had the H5N1 virus.(Vietnam News)
> ROMANIA – AVIAN INFLUENZA Five new suspected cases of avian influenza in domestic birds were identified in Buzau county west of the Danube delta in Romania, where the virus was first isolated in October. Avian flu has been found in birds in more than a dozen villages in and around the Danube delta. Four outbreaks have been confirmed as the H5N1 strain. (ThePoultrySite)
> CHINA – AVIAN INFLUENZA China confirmed a new avian influenza outbreak on a poultry farm in the village of Shangxi, in Jiangxi. Officials said 1,640 ducks were dead and 15,000 birds in the surrounding area were destroyed to prevent the outbreak from spreading. (Meating Place)
> UK – NEW TB GUIDELINES FOR CATTLE The UK’s Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced new measures to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle in England, including pre-movement testing of cattle and a 12-week consultation on badger culling. In England, TB infection has been increasing at a rate of 18% per year. (Feedstuffs online)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
NOW AVAILABLE!
2005 US FLEA & HEARTWORM MARKETS REPORT
As we’ve done for the past several years, Brakke Consulting has published an update of our annual report on the US Flea Control and Heartworm Markets. The report includes up-to-date sales data on the leading flea and heartworm products, advertising expenditures, and information on new and developing products.
The 2005 report also includes a survey of over 180 small animal veterinarians regarding flea, tick and heartworm products. Veterinarians shared their thoughts on retail sales of products, prescription fulfillment services, incentive programs, and other current topics affecting flea and heartworm product sales, and even supplied open comments to the product manufacturers. Shouldn’t you know what your clients are thinking?
The report on the US Flea Control & Heartworm Markets available for a purchase price $4,995.
Please contact Dr. Lynn Fondon at (972) 243-4033 or lfondon@brakkeconsulting.com to order the report or for more information.
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
The Holidays are here whether we’re ready or not, so we hope you’re all ready to celebrate. Our feedback would indicate that most companies had a strong year in revenue and profits. Most every company has made or exceeded their 2005 budgets, so enjoy your holidays – you deserve it!
2005 has been an interesting and challenging year with record-setting natural disasters. Some parts of the country and the world will take years to fully recover. The economy in the US remained strong during the year and seemed to absorb most everything that Mother Nature and the politicians could throw at it. Japan’s recent agreement to allow the import of US beef will be a major positive for animal health in 2006. Consequently, we’re looking for 2006 to be a positive growth year in the animal health markets.
Earlier in the report, we noted that one year ago we launched www.animalhealthjobs.com, and we could not be more pleased. During 2005 the site has had over 180,000 visits. We have hosted over 250 Jobs for more than 130 registered Employers. There are currently over 1,200 Jobseekers registered on the site. We appreciate all of those companies that have utilized this new service provided by our firm.
We want to thank all of our newsletter subscribers and clients for your support in 2005. Have a great Holiday Season and come back refreshed on January 3rd.
Ron Brakke
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Brakke Consulting, Inc.
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