High hog prices mean you can’t afford misses
Today’s high hog prices dictate a completely different mindset from a few months ago when an oversupply of hogs and low prices required cost-cutting measures, according to Jordan Graham, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Common mistakes to avoid during PRRS elimination
Eliminating PRRS virus from a breeding herd is not a simple task, and no herd acts exactly like the next, according to Brad Leuwerke, DVM, with Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
When swine medicine crossed over to human medicine
The tools used countless times to eradicate disease in sow herds and on hog farms became the tools to help pork packing plants reopen last spring after shutting down due to COVID-19.
Antibiotics properly timed during PRRS virus outbreak reduce reproductive failure
PRRS is a viral disease, causing endometrial inflammation leading to abortions, stillborns and mummified fetuses. Ross Kiehne, DVM, with Swine Vet Center, conducted a study to evaluate the use of the injectable antimicrobial Draxxin® (tulathromycin) administered to gestating sows during a PRRS virus outbreak.
Pork industry struggled but found its footing during the COVID-19 crisis
The pork industry entered one of its darkest periods in spring 2020 when COVID-19 forced the shutdown of several packing plants. Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minnesota, helped hog producers in the area work through the closures.
Swine veterinarians award debt-relief scholarship to Henry Johnson
A Swine Vet Center veterinarian was awarded a debt-relief scholarship by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Foundation during its recent virtual annual meeting.
Highly infectious PRRS variant causes high mortalities on sow farms
A variant of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus is taking a heavy toll on hog farms in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
Fine-tune nursery management to achieve optimal pig performance
Entering the nursery can be a stressful period for young pigs. Industry experts provide insight on how to get your herd off to a strong start.
Virulent PRRS outbreaks in grow-finish require fast action to cut losses
A particularly difficult variant of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus recently hit hog farms in south-central Minnesota.
Cost-cutting measures take the sting out of high feed prices
The last time pork producers worried about high feed costs was 2015. Now, higher commodity prices have producers revisiting strategies to reduce feed costs and preserve profits.
Nicollet’s Loula honored with MN Pork Board’s Distinguished Service Award
The Minnesota Pork Board recognized Dr. Tim Loula as this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Tactics to reset herd health learned during COVID-19
Pork producers learned many lessons during the COVID-19 crisis, including how to improve herd health.
Reducing PRRS outbreaks by using air filtration: What you need to know
Jeff Feder, DVM, with Swine Vet Center, has spent 15 years fine-tuning filtration systems in client hog barns. Today, Feder has records to prove air filtration does reduce outbreaks of disease like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.
Top-notch gilt management requires attention to details
The basics of managing gilts for optimum pig production and longevity are well known. But successfully applying them requires meticulous attention to details, according to Jake Schwartz, DVM, Swine Vet Center.
Not making biosecurity improvements can cost more than making them
Biosecurity ranks high on the list of concerns for swine veterinarians who want hog units tightened up to reduce disease. But the cost of new improvements can be overwhelming, according to Jordan Graham, DVM, MS, Swine Vet Center.
How to tackle mortality-causing lameness in finishing hogs
Lameness is now the leading cause of mortality in mid- to late-finishing pigs. How did lameness develop into such a big problem?
Ventilation systems need winter check-up to keep pigs healthy
Ventilation systems in hog buildings need regular check-ups to prevent environmental issues that can compromise pig health.
How hog farms used COVID-19 to improve herd health status
When faced with the COVID-19 crisis, some producers made the most of the situation by depopulating to get rid of disease issues, according to Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
How to reduce wean-to-finish mortality: Part 1 — Plan your strategies
High wean-to-finish mortality continues to trouble the pork industry. While lowering rates is possible, it’s not easy, reported Ryan Strobel, DVM, and Chris Sievers, DVM, with Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
How to reduce wean-to-finish mortality: Part 2 — Implement your plans
In Part 2 of this two-part series, Ryan Strobel, DVM, and Chris Sievers, DVM, with the Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota, share implementation strategies to lower wean-to-finish mortality rates.
Packing plant closures lead to big lessons learned from COVID-19
Nothing in his lifetime could have prepared Paul Yeske, veterinarian at Swine Vet Center, for the painful fallout from COVID-19 that hit the clinic and its clients.