Indonesia boosts dairy industry through cow imports.

Indonesia has increased its efforts to strengthen domestic milk production by importing 1,383 additional dairy cows from Australia, according to agriculture officials.

The move forms part of a long term plan valued at US$3 bn aimed at dramatically expanding the country’s dairy sector and reducing reliance on imports.

The initiative focuses on encouraging small scale farmers to become key contributors to national milk output. Officials hope the strategy will help Indonesia quadruple its current production capacity while supporting rural livelihoods and improving food security.

Facing budget constraints, the government has taken an unconventional approach by urging private companies to finance livestock purchases. This policy has sparked debate within the business community, particularly as Indonesia continues to balance economic growth with investor confidence.

 Agung Suganda, the ministry's director general of livestock and animal health, said,"These cattle are not only an addition to the population. They are a strategic investment to strengthen the foundation of national milk production from smallholder farms."

The dairy expansion programme plays a central role in Indonesia’s free meals scheme, which aims to provide nutrition to 83 million children and expectant mothers. To meet rising demand, the plan calls for the import of one million dairy cows over five years, a significant increase from the current population of around 220,000.

The agriculture ministry explained that the cattle imports involve joint shipments and breeding partnerships between cooperatives and farmers. Since last year, this collaborative model has been designed to ensure that milk produced by smallholders feeds directly into the processing industry, offering stability and predictable supply.

The latest shipment arrived at the port city of Cilacap in Central Java and is now undergoing strict health protocols. "To ensure safety, a 14-day quarantine period will be ... followed by sample collection to detect diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease," said Hendra Wibawa, an animal health official at the ministry.

Private firm Lunar Chemplast imported 1,094 cows, while Mazaraat Lokanatura Indonesia purchased the remaining animals. The ministry also revealed that Indonesia imported 33,955 cows in 2025, with 13,544 designated for dairy production and the rest for beef.

The government believes the programme will reshape Indonesia’s dairy industry and strengthen long term food resilience.

Taichung egg farmer's legal troubles.

A poultry farmer in Taichung has been detained and held without contact after prosecutors uncovered alleged illegal practices linked to the disposal of dead chickens following an avian influenza outbreak.

The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting concerns around biosecurity, food safety and environmental protection in Taiwan’s agricultural sector.

The Taichung District Court approved the detention of the farmer, surnamed Yun, who operates Fengkang Egg Ranch in the Fongyuan District. The court ruled that there were sufficient legal grounds and a clear necessity to keep him in custody while investigations continue. Authorities believe Yun attempted to hide the outbreak rather than follow mandatory disease control and waste disposal procedures.

According to investigators, chickens at the farm began showing signs of avian influenza, with a sharp rise in deaths soon after. Instead of reporting the situation to authorities, Yun allegedly buried some of the dead poultry at his own residence. Others were reportedly transported to neighbouring Miaoli County, where they were dumped and buried on privately owned land.

That land belongs to another suspect, surnamed Yen. Prosecutors say Yen allowed hazardous waste to be buried on his property without official approval. He was later released on US$200,000 bail and placed under travel and residence restrictions.

Law enforcement officials carried out searches at the egg farm and Yun’s home, questioning Yun, two farm employees and Yen. After further interrogation, prosecutors stated that Yun is suspected of violating the Waste Disposal Act by illegally dumping hazardous business waste, failing to handle waste correctly as a business operator and committing fraud. Yen faces allegations of unlawfully permitting hazardous waste disposal on his land.

Local government officials have sought to reassure the public that the avian influenza outbreak has been successfully contained. All chickens at the affected farm were culled, while large volumes of eggs, animal feed and bedding materials were destroyed as a precaution. Authorities confirmed there is no evidence the disease spread to other farms.

The incident has reignited public debate around farm regulation, disease prevention and the responsibility of agricultural operators to protect public health and the environment.

Several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia.(Image credit: WHO)

The recent confirmation of Nipah virus cases in eastern India has brought renewed attention to one of the world’s most dangerous zoonotic diseases.

Although health officials have confirmed that the outbreak is limited and under control, anxiety is growing among farmers and livestock owners who depend on healthy animals for their livelihoods. A key concern is whether Nipah virus can affect farm animals such as cows and buffalo, and whether agriculture could face indirect losses.

Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus family and was first identified during the 1998–99 outbreak in Malaysia. That event highlighted how animal to human transmission can accelerate infections, particularly when livestock are involved. Since then, several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia, including India, often with severe consequences for human health.

Fruit bats of the Pteropus species are known to be the natural hosts of the virus. These bats do not show symptoms but shed the virus through saliva, urine and droppings. Humans may become infected by consuming contaminated food, coming into contact with infected animals or through close contact with infected people. In humans, illness can range from mild fever to severe respiratory distress and encephalitis, with fatality rates reported between 40 and 75 percent.

For the farming community, the most pressing question is the risk to cattle and buffalo. Current scientific evidence shows that pigs are the only confirmed domestic animals that can amplify and spread Nipah virus. While antibodies have been detected in some animals like goats, horses and pets, there is no confirmed evidence of natural infection or disease in cows or buffalo. Importantly, no human Nipah cases have ever been linked directly to cattle or dairy animals.

However, India’s mixed farming systems mean humans, livestock and wildlife often share the same spaces. Fruit bats may contaminate fodder, grazing land or water sources. Even if cattle do not become ill, they could unintentionally carry contaminated material closer to people.

Experts stress that there is no need for panic. Milk and meat from healthy animals remain safe, and no restrictions have been placed on livestock trade. Simple hygiene, protected feed storage and awareness are key. As environmental change brings people and wildlife closer together, Nipah virus serves as a reminder that animal health and human health are deeply connected.

SecureDX and Panacea Korea enhance animal health. (Image credit: EIN PRESSWIRE)

SecureDX, a US-based animal health diagnostics innovator, has announced a strategic partnership with Panacea Korea, a leading South Korean manufacturer of diagnostic testing solutions, to expand access to verified, affordable animal disease testing across North America.

The collaboration brings together advanced diagnostic manufacturing with AI-driven digital reporting to modernise how animal health data is captured, managed, and trusted.

Under the supply and exclusivity agreement, SecureDX will act as Panacea Korea’s exclusive importer and commercialisation partner in North America. The partnership introduces a new portfolio of validated animal disease testing kits and select diagnostic equipment, all integrated with SecureDX’s proprietary SecureOS AI-powered digital reporting and chain-of-custody platform.

The combined offering supports the detection of high-impact infectious diseases, including avian influenza, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and other critical pathogens affecting cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, and exotic or zoo animals. All tests are developed under strict validation and quality management protocols to ensure consistent accuracy across species and testing environments.

A core differentiator of the partnership is the seamless integration of diagnostics with SecureOS. The platform leverages mobile technology and AI-enabled workflow standardisation to streamline sample registration, track chain-of-custody, monitor testing status, and deliver secure, traceable results. This approach reduces manual errors, improves data integrity, and enables standardised reporting for veterinarians, producers, laboratories, and animal health professionals.

Affordability without sacrificing quality is central to the collaboration. Through efficient manufacturing, optimised logistics, and digital workflow automation, SecureDX aims to deliver premium-quality diagnostics at a more accessible price point, expanding reliable testing options for farms, veterinary practices, zoos, laboratories, and animal export operations.

“Accuracy, quality control, and affordability are the foundation of everything we do,” said Justin Jones, CEO of SecureDX. “By combining Panacea Korea’s diagnostic technology with our SecureOSplatform, we are simplifying how testing is performed, reported, and trusted, while keeping costs accessible for real-world animal health applications.”

The partnership will also include PCR instruments and select point-of-care diagnostic platforms, all designed to integrate seamlessly with SecureOS and supported by laboratory validation standards.

“Working with SecureDX allows us to pair high-quality diagnostics with intelligent digital reporting,” said Clara Shin, CEO of Panacea Korea. “Together, we are raising the standard for accurate, affordable, and scalable animal health testing.”

The integrated diagnostic solutions are scheduled to launch in Q1 2026, with tailored offerings for laboratories, commercial farms, veterinary clinics, zoological institutions, and export programmes.