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.
People in pork production just as important as pigs
While their schooling focused on pigs, veterinarians on the job spend a lot of time working with clients and members of their staff. “Our whole training in veterinary school is about the pigs, and we don’t spend a lot of time on the people,” reported Ross Kiehne, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Time to invest in market-transport biosecurity
Grow-finish farms are the last segment of hog production to enact strict biosecurity protocols. That needs to change, reports Mike Eisenmenger, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Is reducing inflammation key to improving PRRS control?
PRRS continues to be a critical concern to the U.S. pork industry. The combined production losses associated with PRRS in breeding and growing-pig herds are estimated at more than $663 million, and that doesn’t include secondary infections.
‘Controlled colonization’ builds immune response to bacterial pathogens
Bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis continue to cause major issues for growing and adult pigs. Dr. Brad Leuwerke offers some good solutions.
Tackle post-weaning E. coli issues with aggressive cleaning, vaccination
Prevention is still the best option. Use a good sanitation program and build up an ample supply of colostrum and post-weaning protection by vaccination.
— Ryan Strobel, DVM, Swine Vet Center
— Ryan Strobel, DVM, Swine Vet Center
More accurate gilt testing needed to detect Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Sow herds seeking negative M. hyo status should use accurate gilt surveillance methods.
Herd immunity in pigs: A case study for getting America back to work
How does herd immunity in pigs apply to COVID-19? Some veterinarians say it has everything to do with this current pandemic situation.
Strategies to help manage tough times created by COVID-19
The fallout from COVID-19 hit the US pork industry with a vengeance. Midwestern packing plants facing worker shortages reduced processing and, in some cases, completely closed their doors.
What we learned from PED applies to COVID-19
Swine veterinarians and producers may feel déjà vu when they hear about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in the US.
Inadequate iron supplements cause subclinical anemia in weaned pigs
The standard 200 mg iron shot for baby pigs at processing may not be enough iron to last until weaning.
Batch farrowing makes a comeback on small- to medium-sized sow farms
The practice of farrowing sows in groups and not continuously is making a reappearance as small- to medium-sized sow farms seek ways to stay competitive.
Chronic PED cases linger, setting the stage for elimination
The wild run of porcine epidemic diarrhea striking the pork industry in 2013 has slowed substantially, but chronic versions continue to plague some farms.
Grow-finish mortalities require fast action followed by prevention plan
Nothing grabs the attention of a grow-finish unit and its veterinarian faster than an uptick in mortalities.
Prepare for African swine fever outbreak with Secure Pork Supply plan
A growing threat of African swine fever has convinced US pork producers to prepare for the worst with a Secure Pork Supply plan, reports Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
Pre-wean mortality continues to be a challenge to producers across the industry as genetic improvements allow sows to be more prolific and achieve higher total born
Veterinarian says VFD led to more strategic antibiotic use
The FDA’s revised rules for antibiotic use in hogs, including the veterinary feed directive, has led to a reduction in and more strategic use of antibiotics in swine.