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SVC Newsletter – December 2020

Ventilation fundamentals to optimize pig performance

Air quality and barn temperature are two of the most critical environmental components that effect pig health and performance. Poor ventilation increases disease and reduces growth rate by creating a barn environment high in humidity and excess gasses. Many ventilation mistakes are the result of efforts to save utility costs. This month Dr. Sam reviews some fundamental ventilation concepts that will help set up a barn environment that both optimizes pig health and performance while keeping utility costs in-line.

Minimum ventilation

Minimum ventilation is the amount of fresh air needed to be brought into the barn to control humidity and gas contaminants (i.e., carbon dioxide, ammonia, etc.). Accuracy with minimum ventilation settings is crucial as over-ventilating will inflate utility costs (propane and electricity) while under-ventilating will produce an environment detrimental to pig health and performance.

In most barns, the fans assigned to minimum ventilation are variable speed fans which have two important settings – minimum speed and bandwidth. Minimum speed is a controller setting that signifies the speed at which the minimum ventilation fans will operate at any time room temperature is below set point. When the room temperature rises above set point, minimum ventilation fans steadily increase speed until the  maximum speed is achieved. The number of degrees for variable speed fans to go from the minimum speed setting to 100% is called bandwidth. Bandwidths can be widened or narrowed based on ambient temperatures, number of fans, pig size, motor curves, or other factors that impact pig comfort.

We recommend minimum (stage 1) bandwidth settings of 1.5-2.0°F. A bandwidth setting of 1.0°F or less is too narrow for most barns and will increase fan speed too quickly, potentially chilling pigs. Wider bandwidths (above 2.0°F) reduce the ability to efficiently remove heat from the barn.

It is important to note that the setting on the controller does not necessarily equate to the percentage of maximum cubic feet per minute (CFM) output by the fan. For most variable speed fans, there is good alignment between controller setting and CFM output between 75-100%. However, the reduction in CFM output is disproportionate to the reduction in minimum speed controller setting at 70% and below (Figure 1). Most variable speed fans will produce 50% of their maximum CFM output with a minimum speed controller setting between 55-60%.

Figure 1. Variable speed fan output vs minimum speed controller setting

Minimum ventilation needs are calculated based on the number and size of pigs in a barn. Controller settings to achieve the needed minimum ventilation are dependent on the number and size of fans on stage 1. Take the time to calculate the minimum ventilation rate needed rather than set minimum ventilation fans at an arbitrary minimum speed. Reference charts for fan CFM output (Figure 2) and required CFMs per pig (Figure 3) are helpful for these calculations.

Figure 2. CFM output by fan size
Figure 3. Recommended ventilation rates

As an example, consider a 2400-head wean-to-finish barn receiving newly weaned pigs. Minimum ventilation needs are 3600 CFM (2400 pigs x 1.5 CFM/pig). If stage 1 consists of 1 x 24-inch variable speed pit fan, 60% of the maximum CFM output would be required for minimum ventilation (3600 CFM needed ÷ 6000 CFM max output x 100). Therefore, a minimum speed controller setting of approximately 65% would be needed to obtain 60% of the maximum CFM output (Figure 1).

Keep fans clean – it is essential to routinely clean exhaust fans. Even an 1/8 inch of dust or dirt can reduce fan efficiency by up to 40%. This will significantly alter the minimum ventilation settings required to attain the correct barn environment.

Temperature probes

Ventilation controllers rely entirely on temperature data received from multiple probes located throughout the pig space. If probes are placed incorrectly, the controller will receive inaccurate readings resulting in incorrect controller operation and barn environment.

Recommended height and location of temperature probes varies by barn type and stage of production (Figure 4). Make sure to adjust probe height between nursery and finisher stages in wean-to-finish barns. Probes should be positioned away from ceiling inlets and heaters to avoid artificial fluctuations in temperature from cold or hot air.

Figure 4. Recommended probe height and location

Heaters

Improperly set heaters are a surefire way to waste propane and skyrocket energy expenses. Like variable speed fans, heaters also have two primary settings to consider- offset and differential. The offset is the number of degrees below set point that the heater shuts off. Differential is the number of degrees that the heater will run. Adding the heater offset and differential together determines the number of degrees below set point that the heater will turn on. For example, with a set point of 80°F, heater offset of 2.0°F, and heater differential of 1.0°F, the heater would turn on at 77°F and run until the room temperature reached 78°F (Figure 5). Some controllers have simplified these settings to “heater on” and “heater off” temperatures.

Figure 5. Example heater and minimum ventilation settings

Setting heater offset and differential correctly are keys to achieving consistent room temperatures and limiting propane waste. The most common problem found in barns are furnaces that shut off too close to the setpoint temperature. In these cases, room temperature rises even after the furnace shuts off as it takes some time for the heated air to circulate and the probes to detect the increase in room temperature. If the heater is programmed to shut off too close to set point, the room temperature will rise above the set point causing minimum ventilation fans to ramp up and exhaust the heated air to cool the room – essentially blowing recently burned propane right out the exhaust fans.

A suggested heater offset of 1.5°-2.0°F and differential of 1.0°F are good starting points. Understand every barn is different based on the number and size of furnaces in a room as well as the cubic feet of room to heat. An effective way to fine-tune furnace settings is to make note of the current settings and observe the room temperature as it cycles through a heater on and off run. Ideally, after the heater shuts off the room temperature should rise to just below the set point without going over. If the room temperature rises above set point, increase the heater offset so that the heater shuts off further below set point. Correct heater settings can reduce propane use by several gallons per heater per day resulting in significant energy savings.

Summary

Barn environment has a substantial impact on pig health and performance. Incorrect minimum ventilation, probe placement, and heater settings will be detrimental to both pig health and performance. Understanding and implementing these ventilation fundamentals will help maximize performance and control utility costs.

 


 

SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – November 2020

Goal setting for 2021

With all that has happened in 2020, it will be good to look forward to 2021. As we approach the end of the year, it is a good idea to review the production records for the year and set goals for 2021.

 

 

  • Review the production parameters with the farm staff, breaking it down and looking at monthly numbers to look for trends.
  • Compare with the previous year’s production goals to see how well the farm performed against those former goals.
  • Breaking it down into quarterly periods will help you to see the goals unfold rather than waiting until the end to see how things turned out.
  • Pick parameters where you can make a difference, then provide an action plan for how you will reach these goals. Each farm should have their own unique action plan to turn those goals into reality.
  • Put some stretch into the new goals. Just setting a number you can easily achieve defeats the purpose.
  • Make sure all goals align together as certain numbers are tied together.
    • Total born, stillborn and mummy percentage is an example of this. These values will drive what born alive will be.
    • Once you have calculated the born alive number, you can determine the prewean mortality goal and from there, the wean number.
    • The number of sows farrowed per week/group will drive how many total pigs weaned for the year.
    • Then you can work to get the Pigs/sow/year by dividing the total weaned pigs by average sow inventory.

Meaningful goals are those that will challenge the system but are yet obtainable. It is good to take the time, set the numbers and have them documented as a point in reference. Breaking these numbers down into quarterly assessment timeframes allows you to go through the year and makes it more likely to be attainable at the end.

COVID 19

After battling with it for months now, we are certainly ready for COVID 19 to just be over and done. The vaccine companies appear to be making huge strides in having effective vaccines. The initial work looks very good and 3 companies are reporting success. Yet, it will be a while before these vaccines will be available to everyone.

As we’ve learned from pig viruses, there will be more challenges as we go into winter months. The following are some tips to help keep everyone safe.

  • Keep office surfaces free from clutter helps make the numerous daily cleanups and disinfection possible
  • Stagger break times so entire crew isn’t in the break room at once

Say “Yes Please” to Pork this Holiday

Don’t let COVID stand in the way of preparing magnificent meals and snacks featuring pork this holiday. The Pork Board has put together hundreds of delicious recipe ideas for you to try. They all look so good, you’ll have a hard time deciding which to try first!

https://www.yummly.com/page/pork

Wondering what to give people during this time of social distancing? Pork gift certificates travel great and with them, the recipient can purchase whatever pork product they choose. (507) 345-8814 is the number to call.

The veterinarians at Swine Vet Center are in a unique position and know where to find the best pork products around. If you’re looking to give the gift of pork to friends and neighbors, our clients have mouth-watering pork specialties available which can be sent straight to their door or yours! Visit one of these pages, or give a call . We’re certain you will discover something delicious.

Reicks View Farms: (800) 461- 4044 www.reicksviewfarms.com
Compart Family Farms: (877) 441-2627 www.compartduroc.com
Tollefson Family Pork: www.tollefsonfamilypork.com

Swine Disease Reporting System

The Iowa State Disease Reporting System gathers and organizes information from diagnostic labs across the midwest. Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, Kansas State University and South Dakota State University are the universities that are participating in this project. The idea behind this program is to better understand what is trending across swine herds by looking at the diagnostic data. This information can help predict diseases that are occurring in the industry on a wider basis and not just their own herd or system. The goals are to generate more knowledge to allow for better outcomes.

Some of the data shared at the ISU James D. McKean conference looked at the relationship between the increased incidence of PRRS positive samples and the stage of production, particularly wean to market vs. the adult sow farms. If you reference the chart below, you can see the number of positive wean to market animals goes up, starting in August or September. An increase in positive sow farm numbers follows 1-2 months later.

 

One of the nice things with the data being done as a greater regional basis is that we can look at trends by state as well. The following chart shows the regional distribution of positive samples in the month of October and where the activity is happening.

 

As we get more activity in the wean to finish pigs, the pigs can become the source for the sow farms to sero-convert and break. The time frame fits with what we have seen in the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring project, showing the peak of the epidemic is usually in the mid-October to mid-November time frame. This would be consistent with the diagnostic data and helps to predict what will happen.

Both the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring project and the Iowa State Disease Reporting system are pointing towards increased PRRS activity in the wean to finish, wean to market and sow herds. It’s important all the farms are following biosecurity procedures and vaccinating so that it can help mitigate the challenges.

Everyone at Swine Vet Center wishes all of you a safe and wonderful holiday season.

 

 


 

SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – October 2020

Site biosecurity ‒ Time to tighten up!

It’s that time of the year again ‒ according to historical SHIC data (see PRRS and PED epidemic monitor charts below), PRRS typically reaches the epidemic threshold each year between the middle of October and the middle of November. PED is also more active in the winter, with historical December and January epidemic beginnings.

 

As temperatures cool this fall and winter, many pathogens find it easier to survive outside the pig and are looking for an opportunity to enter your barn. It is important to our  pigs’ health, well-being and productivity not to invite these pathogens into our barns. Careful review and monitoring of our on-farm biosecurity practices are essential to keep these pathogens out. The following chart contains a list of common biosecurity practices/areas of focus for pig farms. It may be helpful to look at this list, make edits and complete a self- assessment of your farm(s). All areas of the farm where animals, people or items/supplies come into and/or go out of the farm, are key focus areas for biosecurity. Have you addressed these items with your team/system? Your Swine Vet Center veterinarian will be happy to help you complete a site biosecurity assessment this fall.

To download a printable version of this chart, click here.


Dr. Chris Sievers and wife Brooke welcome son Carter

Please join Swine Vet Center in congratulating Dr. Chris and Brooke Sievers on the birth of their son, Carter James Sievers. He was born on October 5th, 2020. Weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 20.5″ long, Carter will surely be a fun playmate for his big brother, Gavin!

 


 

SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – September 2020

Helping your grow-finish pigs grow

Average daily gain (ADG) is clearly one of the key profit drivers in the grow-finish production phase. When paying rent for space, it becomes obvious that the faster we can help them to grow, the quicker they get to market and then we can put another animal in their spot.

The following are a few ideas that could help to ensure that we’re maximizing average daily gain:

Genetics: We’re paying for genetics to maximize growth. Therefore, we should give them every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Pen Size: There have been a number of studies showing that pen size is related to average daily gain. The smaller the pen size, the better the ADG. It’s possible that you may be able to improve your ADG by dividing your larger pens into smaller pen sizes.

Feed Outages: This point is quite obvious but there’s research that for every feed outage, we lose ½ pound per pig. Therefore, the key to growth is to have feed in front of the pigs at all times.

Feeders: When considering ADG, making sure the pigs get enough feed is important. Proper feeder adjustment should be made a priority and monitored when doing routine daily chores. Feeder adjustments will vary according to pig age as well as the type of diet being fed (mash/pellet, wet/dry). Feeders should likewise be checked daily to ensure they are not plugged. Also, feeder pans should have only good quality feed. Pigs won’t eat even the most palatable ration if its old, moldy or has been soiled with feces or urine.

Feeder Space: In our business, we are always looking for the most cost-effective solutions. Feeder space can be expensive therefore we want enough with nothing wasted. The National Swine Nutrition Guide recommends two inches of feeder space per pig when feeding a mash diet.

There are other things that factor into the feeder space equation. The type of feed being offered also makes a difference. Pigs will generally consume wet feed faster than dry which will free up feeder space. They will also eat pelleted feed faster than mash. Another point to consider is it is in a pig’s nature to want other pigs next to them while eating, just like when the sow calls the pigs to nurse. Therefore, there needs to be room for the hungry pig as well as his buddies.

Keep Them Cool: We know that keeping pigs cool in the summertime can help them gain. Misters will help cool pigs in the heat and resulting in improved ADG. With the summer heat behind us, the cooler fall temperatures will be on our side. Making sure we have the right temperature and ventilation for them will keep their intake up and maximize ADG.

Sorting by Size: There has been some research done that by NOT sorting by size, you can improve average daily gain. If you put all the big pigs together and all the small pigs together when loading pens, its been shown that average daily gain will drop. Pigs want to find natural variation within the pen. Only sort off the extremely small pigs to give them better opportunities so they don’t lose ground to the group average.

Continually Strive to Improve Nutrition: Work with your nutritionist to ensure that the energy and lysine in the diet is up to the correct levels. It’s been noticed as genetics have improved, we may not have kept up with lysine requirements of these fast growing pigs. These levels will need to be evaluated continuously in order to maximize ADG. Research barn trials can help you evaluate different diets to discover what will work best.

Pig Space: ADG can also be linked to pig space. You may have to be careful when considering pig space because there comes a point of diminishing returns. It’s more expensive to provide extra pig space and it may not always pay back with improved average daily gain.

Health: One of the biggest drivers of average daily gain is health. Continuing to strive to eliminate diseases on the sow farms, as well as correctly vaccinating your pigs, greatly improves ADG. Work with your Swine Vet Center veterinarian to see what diseases can be easily controlled and/or eliminated.

Fall checklist for hog buildings

Item Ideal date to complete Completed Initials
Check manure pit levels weekly 9/1
(>1′ clearance at pump for proper ventilation) 9/15
Clean fans 9/15
Fix shutters 9/15
Recondition pit fans 9/15
Curtains should be even 9/15
No sags in curtains 9/15
Repair holes in curtains 9/15
Blow out heaters 9/15
Heaters need to be ready to run and should be tested 9/15
Check LP level
Completely clean out feed bins 9/15
Clean soffit screens 9/15
Clean pit fans and louvers 9/30
Repair and clean inlets 9/30
Reset alarm Hi/Lo settings 9/30
Check approach around chute and front door to make sure of proper height for winter 9/30
Set ventilation controller for winter settings 10/1
Bubble wrap ready for curtains if wean to finish 10/15
Have covers ready for fans 10/15
Pick up around the building 10/15
Final mowing 10/15
Refill bait stations 10/15
Snow fence if needed 10/30
Plan for snow removal 10/30
Flags for LP tank, well, pit fans, etc 10/30
Pit covers should be tight 11/15
Curtains sealed tight, check and lubricate curtain machine 11/15
Plastic for sealing fans 11/15

To download a printable version of this chart, click here.

Swine Vet Center Veterinarians in the Spotlight

Due to COVID 19, the 2020 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, a global swine industry educational event, was held virtually this year.

Dr. Paul Yeske gave two presentations at this year’s conference. “The swine producer’s and veterinarian’s response to COVID-19” and “Taking advantage of COVID-derived interventions to improve health”. Dr. Paul also presented a poster entitled “Evaluation of Shedding and Effect on Pig Performance of Prevacent™ PRRS Vaccine”.

Dr. Alyssa Betlach presented a poster entitled “Effect of tulathromycin treatment on Mycoplasma hyopneumonia detection and infectious potential”.

Dr. Betlach also published an article in Veterinary Microbiology entitled “Natural transmission and detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in a naïve gilt population”. The article abstract can be seen here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32891949/


 

SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – August 2020

Manure pits are pushing the limits

With the bad weather some sites experienced both last fall and this spring, some areas have had challenges getting pits pumped. The SVC veterinarians have noted that this, as well as other factors, has led to many very full pits already this summer.

Over full pits are a big problem. Once the manure level gets too high in deep pitted barns, it begins to restrict ventilation from the pit through the pit fans. This becomes a health concern as air quality is reduced and can potentially be deadly if additional sources of ventilation are not locked on (as in the case of wall fans) or locked open (as in the case of curtains).

The following are some of the factors that can lead to full pits this time of year.

 

Solids build up on the bottom of the pit

  • Solids left in the bottom of the pit can build up over time, reducing the effective capacity of the pit and leaving valuable nutrients in the pit instead of getting them out onto your fields to be used as fertilizer. Keys to getting all of the solids out of the pit include:
    • Good agitation while pumping is critical to get things moving and suspend the solids so that they can be pumped out.
    • Pit additives can also help to promote good bacterial growth in the pit, leading to fewer solids as well as fewer issues with crusting on the surface of the manure which can lead to more flies in the barn.
    • A good time to include pit additives is when you are finishing agitation since there is less volume and the agitation will help spread out the product.
    • Additional pit additive should then be added at regular intervals to help maintain a healthy pit.

 

Water wastage

  • Some of the newer style pan waterers have helped to reduce water wastage compared to the older style cups and nipples. They can also be helpful for starting weaned pigs since there is water available even if that pig has not learned to work the nipple yet.
  • Water pressure regulators help to maintain the correct pressure to reduce water wastage and also regulate water flow. Recommended pressures vary depending on what drinker is being used.

Cool cell leakage

  • Using timers on cool cells reduces the amount of water that is needed to run the evaporative cooling system.
  • Timers also increase airflow through the cool cell pad when the water is off, leading to better ventilation rates and cooler sows.
  • Leakage at any point in the evaporative cooling system also contributes to additional water in the pit.

Rainwater

  • Rainwater can find its way into pits, adding to pumping costs and reducing capacity. Dirt work is an important part of the process to keep extra water out of the pits.
  • Once a new barn is completed and the dirt has had time to settle around the pit, additional dirt will be needed for backfill to create a slope that will drain water away from the pit.
  • Bait boxes should be added every 50-100′ around the perimeter of the building to discourage rodents.
    • Bait boxes should be checked and refilled monthly.
    • If you maintain a log when this is done, it will also satisfy the requirements for PQA.

Pit pump-out covers

  • Pit pump-out covers can allow rainwater coming off the roof steel to end up in the pit if they are not designed and sealed correctly.
  • Ideally the covers should be sloped so water runs off the covers away from the barn.
  • The new one-piece plastic pump-out covers eliminate leakage through the cover itself.
  • Adding support under the back of the cover (next to the barn) will prevent sagging in the back that leads to rainwater running towards the barn and into the pit.
  • Seal the edges of the cover with caulk, foam, or blackjack to prevent water and air from getting in.
    • On filtered farms this is critical to prevent unfiltered air from entering the pit.
    • This also helps unfiltered barns ventilate correctly by forcing all of the air the pit fan moves to come from the pit and not from leakage around the edges of the cover.
  • A 120′ wide 2400-head wean to finish barn with eight 6′ wide pump-outs could potentially add 1″ of water to the pit from a 6″ rain if the water runs off the roofline onto the pump-out covers and then into the pit. This is over 10,000 gallons of water going into the pit that you need to pay to pump out.
  • Transitions must also be sealed tightly to the wall of the pit to prevent standing rainwater from running into the pit.
  • Foaming pits will also reduce capacity and can be dangerous since the foam is made up of flammable gasses that can cause fires if ignited, especially when barns are empty and foam levels increase.
    • Be especially careful when welding or doing other repairs when barns are empty.
      • If foaming is an issue, there are some potential pit additives that can help.
      • There is also speculation that Skycis® (an ionophore) fed to pigs can help reduce foaming of pits.

 


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – July 2020

Insect control

Although recent weather has been hot and at times dry, periods of wet, cooler weather provides a perfect environment for flies and mosquitos to live and breed around barns. An increase in mosquito populations bring with it an increased frequency of bites and the risk of carcass trim that can be costly. Flies are a nuisance and have the potential of spreading diseases. Several options are available for insect control in and around our swine barns. Before considering insecticides, work on managing the environmental factors that allow insect breeding.

  • Keep grass around barns mowed short
  • Eliminate standing water around the site
  • Run curtains up routinely (weekly) to eliminate pooled water
  • Shut-off night lights in the barn
  • Consider agitating pit if a considerable crust exists
  • Have adequate material to cover carcasses in compost bays
  • Clean-up feed spills outside and inside the barn

Insecticides are also an important part of a fly and mosquito control program. Several options are available. Consider the following:

House flies and fruit flies

Insect growth regulators (IGR) disrupt the molting process, which is essential for fly life. IGR’s are used to treat the pit, where the fly life cycle is most often taking place.

Neporex – for pit application

  • Dry scatter granules and wash into pit: 1 pound per 200 sq. ft.
  • Pouring into pit: 1 pound/gallon of water per 200 sq. ft

Clarifly – for in-feed application

  • Follow label directions for complete swine diet

Outside barn application

Optimate® CS as a residual spray on surfaces where adult flies rest.

  • Mixing Rate: 1 oz. of Optimate® CS/gallon water.
  • One gallon will spray approximately 1000 square feet. Apply as a residual spray using a backpack sprayer. Make sure that the spray does not drift into the building when animals are present inside.

Tempo SC to spray the perimeter of the building.

  • Mixing Rate: 16 ml of Tempo SC/gallon water
  • Apply around the perimeter of the building. One gallon will spray approx. 1000 square feet.

Inside barn application

Microcare 3% CS—Apply to pigs and on barn surfaces as a light mist.

  • Mixing Rate: 4 oz. Microcare/gallon water
  • Apply ULD BP-100 to pigs and on barn surfaces.
  • Mixing Rate: Undiluted; apply at a rate of 1 oz./1,000 cubic feet.

Mosquitoes

Outside barn application

Tempo SC— spray outside the barn a couple weeks prior to topping if mosquitoes are an issue. Sites may need to be sprayed weekly until the site is closed out.

  • Mixing Rate: 16 ml Tempo/gallon of water
  • Apply around the perimeter of the building. One gallon will spray approximately 1000 sq. ft.

Inside barn application

Microcare 3% CS— Apply to pigs and on barn surfaces as a light mist.

  • Mixing Rate: 4 oz. Microcare/gallon water

Stryker™ Insecticide Concentrate for use on barn surfaces as a light mist

  • Mixing Rate: Mix 2 fluid ounces Stryker™ Insecticide Concentrate/gallon water

 

Supply Decontamination

Supply entry into a farm has always presented a biosecurity risk. Over time, multiple methods to attempt full disinfection of these supplies have been used. Fogging supplies with a disinfectant is a common practice used by farms to decontaminate supplies¼ although it may not be as effective as we all perceive it to be. Recent work presented in the student session at the 2020 AASV meeting, reviewed the fogging of supplies and showed that this practice does not apply full coverage of disinfectant on the surfaces of supplies.

  • In brief, three fogging procedures were compared to hand-spraying supply surfaces
        1. A single Hurricane fogger
        2. A single Fogmaster fogger
        3. Two Hurricane foggers running simultaneously
  • A decontamination room was used that included 3-tier shelving for box placement
  • Foggers in the room were set up to create a disinfection cloud within the room and run for a 10-minute cycle
  • Colored dye was applied with the fogger and a percentage of surface coverage was measured with an imaging software program.

The manual application through a hand-sprayer was able to achieve a 95% coverage of all surfaces compared to the two Hurricane fogger method (57%) and the single Hurricane fogger and single Fogmaster fogger (40% and 24% respectively).

This study shows that creating a disinfectant fog within a decontamination room does a poor job in completely covering all surfaces of supplies with disinfectant. Considerations to increase the success of supply disinfection should include hand-application of disinfectant or updating supply entry procedures that allow supplies to be exposed to heating and a holding time before entered into the farm.

Leuck K, et al. Evaluation of location and fogger type on disinfectant surface area coverage of supplies entering a commercial sow farm. Student Research Presentations, 51 Am Assoc Swine Vet Annual Meeting. 2020;58.


Animal Health Product Updates

Manufacturing issues for many swine health products over the year has led to several backorders. An update on products that have recently become available again includes:

  • Tylan 200 is now available
  • Injectable Oxytetracycline is now available
  • Short-acting penicillin is now available

Work with your Swine Vet Center veterinarian to review treatment protocols and discuss where these antibiotics fit into your herd health management.

 


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – June 2020

Summer ventilation tips

Hot weather can be difficult and even dangerous for hogs if cooling systems are not functioning properly. Fans, cooling systems (such as misters), backup generators and alarms, all need routine testing and maintenance to ensure they perform when needed. The following are some suggestions for things to monitor so your pigs stay cool when the weather gets hot.

Fans and inlets

  • Ensure all fans are working. Check fan belts and replace any that are slipping. Loose belts will decrease fan efficiency. Winter bandwidths are often set to 1.5-2F for variable speed stages in the winter. Moving these down to 1F in the summer will begin cooling pigs sooner when the temperature increases.
  • Winter bandwidths are often set to 1.5-2F for variable speed stages in the winter. Moving these down to 1F in the summer will begin cooling pigs sooner when the temperature increases.
  • Make sure fans are clean. Dirty fan housings and  shutters greatly decreases fan efficiency.
  • Sweep bird netting on attic eaves to avoid air restriction in attic space.
  • Iowa Pork Industry Center resources on ventilation: https://www.ipic.iastate.edu/facilities.html

Emergency Backup Systems

  • Emergency Curtain drops – test curtain drops regularly. Manually cut power to ensure magnets release, winches free-wheel, and curtains drop without hanging up. Also ensure the emergency curtain drop backup thermostat is functional and set to 95-100F.
  • Emergency backup thermostats – test fan backup thermostats by adjusting temperature below ambient temp while watching for fans to cycle on.
  • Test standby generators weekly – Most generators are set to automatically test run weekly. However, this does not always mean they will function as intended in a power outage. To ensure proper function, simulate a power outage by cutting power to the site and monitor that automatic transfer switches function to bring on the generator. Testing generator under full load of fans and feedlines would be advised.

Cooling Systems

  • Misters are an effective method of cooling for finishing pigs. It’s important to remember that pigs are cooled by water evaporating from their skin, not from cool water being applied to them. If pigs are not allowed to dry, they will not cool. The goal of misting pigs is to wet surfaces and allow them to dry and achieve evaporative cooling. Typical mister settings intervals of 3 minutes
    on, and 27 minutes off will accomplish this.
  • Stir fans are important to aiding evaporative cooling in naturally ventilated barns. Ensure stir fans work and are set to turn on at no higher than 85°F for
    finishing pigs.
  • Tunnel ventilation settings — Tunnel ventilation can be locked out in the controller by setting minimum age. In extreme heat, this will prevent barns from entering tunnel ventilation, causing temperatures to reach dangerous levels with only attic ventilation.
  • Cool cells — Wet cool cell pads reduce air-flow into the barn. Set timers to allow cool cell to be on long enough to completely wet the pads and off long enough so that the pads dry-out before another on cycle starts.

For more information on hot weather cooling, please contact your Swine Vet Center veterinarian.


Prepare your herd for seasonal infertility!

We are currently in the seasonal infertility period. This period is typically the time of year when it’s more difficult to keep
sows pregnant. The time frame is usually from Week 29 to Week 40 of the year. Heat is the biggest factor among several
contributors including decreasing photoperiod during weeks 34-40. Here are some tips to help decrease the impact of
seasonal infertility:

  • Manage lactation feed intake — Decreased feed intake during lactation can lead to a prolonged return to estrus. Sows that return to heat >7 days post weaning are more likely to have a lower conception/farrowing rate. Maximizing feed consumption during lactation can decrease this impact.
  • Supplemental cooling systems — Ensure cool cells are functioning properly and/or dripper systems are working. Supplemental cooling will encourage sows to eat during summer heat.
  • Gilt supply — Take added steps to ensure an ample supply of gilts are available during this timeframe to take the place of weaned sows that may not have cycled.
  • Increase breed target in weeks 29-40 — A 2-5% increase in breed target can help compensate for the dip in conception rate and farrowing rate. Use your farm records to determine when a dip in conception is typically occurring and increase breed target accordingly. Monitor conception rate weekly and adjust breed target as needed.
  • Manage fallout — With decreased farrowing rate will come increased fallouts to manage. When identified, move these sows to the opportunity row or cull
    accordingly. Be diligent with 30 and 60 day preg checks. Do visual checks at 70-90 days bred.

Planning ahead for this yearly challenge can help to maintain the continuity on your farms and avoid any shortfalls in production. Any questions, contact a Swine Vet Center veterinarian. They’ll be happy to help you.


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – May 2020

SVC Veterinarians — Helping to lead the way through the Coronavirus crisis

The hog industry is facing unprecedented times with the  closures of packing plants leading to a severe back up of hogs to be processed in the United States. SVC veterinarians strive to be leaders in times of crisis.

Dr. Tim Loula with Sanford Health has developed a testing algorithm to try to best understand the health status of packing plant workers, and keep the plants open. (See the most recent article in the Farm Journal where Dr. Loula describes using our knowledge of herd immunity and testing to keep plants open or get them back up and running. Herd Immunity in Pigs: A Case Study for Getting America Back to Work. )

As a follow up article for the Farm Journal, Dr. Loula describes the pig industry’s experience with a Chinese Coronavirus, PEDv. The pig industry utilized herd immunity to eliminate PED from sow farm populations. Dr. Loula describes PCR vs. antibody testing (ELISA) in this article and how we can further utilize antibody testing to our advantage.

Click here to read the article.

Click to enlarge

 


Drs. Brad Leuwerke and Jake Schwartz led a webinar sponsored by the National Pork Board, “COVID–19, Tools for Managing the Current Situation”. It is a tough decision that producers have to make when they decide to euthanize pigs. Drs. Leuwerke and Schwartz provided insight on how this could be done humanely and effectively.

 

Dr. Jordan Graham has written a proposal to the states of Minnesota and Iowa for support of a swine mass depopulation plan. This plan would provide a safe and humane option for producers to have market hogs euthanized and disposed of in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. It would also act as the accounting piece in anticipation of a Federal Indemnity Program.


Dr. Paul Yeske along with NPPC and AASV submitted a proposal which could help turn a negative situation for the industry into a positive one. We do not see the packing plants returning to 100% for the foreseeable future, which leaves us with too many pigs and not enough shackle space. If producers are forced to make the decision to euthanize market weight animals, could we turn it into a positive for the industry by possibly reducing disease pressure? They are suggesting just that by developing a program similar to the Accelerated Pseudorabies Eradication Program from the 90’s (APEP). The culling could be targeted towards herds with chronic diseases.

If forced to make the decision to remove swine herds, AASV is encouraging farmers to work with their veterinarians whenever possible and strategically remove populations or herds that have long-term active health problems from endemic diseases. The industry goal of this targeted effort would be to help improve the overall herd health of the entire swine industry. Endemic diseases pose a significant loss in performance and increased vaccination and medication cost to farmers. Minimizing disease challenges also enhances animal wellbeing.

Ideally the industry would be able to work cooperatively with USDA APHIS to structure a program similar to what was used in the Accelerated Pseudorabies Elimination Program (APEP) to help fund this. But with government funding still uncertain, we need to act on our own for now.


Other COVID-19 Resources

Dr. Brad Freking of New Fashion pork lays out nicely the status of the pork industry and the importance of testing 100% of the packing plant employees. In this podcast, Dr. Freking reveals some preliminary results of these tests. 2400 total employees were tested at Triumph Foods. Of the 2400, 750 of the samples have been tested and results revealed 71 COVID-19 PCR positives. The most interesting piece of information is that 90% of those individuals that tested positive, did not have any clinical signs of COVID-19.


Swine Vet Center New Arrivals

In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s a pleasure to get to report some happy news!

 

It’s a Boy for Tina and Levi Witte!

Henry James Witte arrived March 26, 2020 weighing in at 8lbs. 2 ounces and 21 3/4 inches long. Baby Henry has already begun sleeping through the night and loves when big brother Charley gets to hold him. Showing early signs of being quite the adventurer, Henry also enjoys going for stroller rides. Congratulations Tina and Levi.

 

 

 

Dr. Ryan and Sarah Strobel Welcome a Baby Boy

Jack Donavin Strobel arrived Sunday, April 11, 2020, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, 19″ long. As you can imagine, big brother Levi (2) was quite excited to finally get to meet and hold his new little brother and will surely be a big help in taking care of baby Jack. Congratulations Ryan and Sarah!

 

 

 


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – April 2020

Tough times don’t last but tough people do

 

The swine industry is seeing downward economic trends and prices. We are starting to see packing plants slow down due to COVID-19 cases which is causing backups in production and grow finish space. Labor on our farms is concerning if we start to see positive cases within a farm. We as an industry are using many strategies to manage through these challenging times.

Loads and space availability

Loads are backing up and some producers are having loads canceled right now that would normally be heading to market. Many producers are intentionally slowing pigs down on ADG. There is a wide variety of strategies to accomplish this but here are a few we are hearing about today:

  • Warm up room temperatures to 72-76 degrees F.
  • Less square feet/pig
  • Increasing minerals to slow intake (calcium chloride, monosodium phosphate)
  • Adding fiber to reduce growth (DDGs if available, or soy hulls)
  • Tightening up feeders to reduce intake.

Be sure to discuss with your nutritionist/SVC veterinarian to come up with a plan that makes sense for your system.

Sow farm/ Grow finish labor

Farm workers are considered essential employees and we are working hard as an industry to keep a safe food supply during these uneasy times. Sow farms are doing several things to reduce transmission from employee to employee, such as:

  • Staggering entry times into farms so employees aren’t gathering before the shower.
  • Staggering break times and spreading out tables in the break room.
  • Disinfecting tables/counters after every use and at the end of the day. Disinfecting the entire office daily and fumigating weekly.
  • Educating all employees on how the virus spreads.
  • Making sure employees are following the stay at home order to reduce exposure outside of work.
  • Splitting crews in half to a morning and evening crew.
  • Half the crew works four 12-hour days. The other half of the crew works the next four 12-hour days. So workers are split (4 days on, 4 days off).
  • This way if one crew member tests positive we are only down half the crew for stay at home quarantine.

Wean to finish sites are taking multiple precautions to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 to employees:

  • Limiting any unnecessary visitors
  • Supervisors/veterinarians are planning their site visits to avoid contact with the caretakers or contract growers.
  • Reducing the size of vaccination crews and having them split up to different sites.
  • Social distance.

Strategies to reduce cost:

Most systems are looking at ways to reduce cost or inputs. It’s a good time to review usage of vaccinations, routine injectable antibiotics and feed grade medications. Be sure to consult your SVC veterinarian before you reduce any vaccinations or prevention strategies.

Other strategies include reviewing sow herd inventory and making sure we don’t have extra sows on the farm. There are instances where we can keep up with production but reduce the carrying cost of sows on that herd. Check body condition across all herds and make sure you aren’t overfeeding sows.


Farm safety: Handle with care

While focusing on keeping African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease out, the U.S. has been broadsided with a different enemy…COVID-19. Instead of being a threat to the livestock, it is a danger to the people who care for the pigs. While we’ve always been aware of our farm workers’ value, it’s become even more apparent how important our labor is to our success. With different routines, shifting schedules and the strong possibility of being short staffed, we still need to make sure we’re doing our jobs safely. The following items are not meant to be new, revolutionary ideas that you’ve never heard before, but rather a review of safety points that everyone should be practicing every day.

  • Pit gasses – can be both toxic and explosive. Never enter the pit without safety gear. Never shut off ventilation (even when building is empty). Pit foam is explosive but can be reduced at pumping time with additives during agitation.
  • Safety glasses – should be worn when there is a danger of flying objects. Power washing, blowing alleyways, clipping needle teeth are all jobs that require safety glasses.
  • Keep things picked up and neat– don’t leave afterbirth behind the crates to slip on. Put equipment like sort boards away after use so the next person doesn’t need to hunt them down. Clear away junk so it doesn’t get tripped over.
  • Aggressive animals – Watch for signs of aggression in boars and sows with piglets. Use the crates as a safety shield so aggressive animals can’t reach you. When giving injections, be careful so they don’t smash your hand in the crate.
  • Use sort boards when moving animals – Sort boards are huge knee savers and are a major deterrent for animals that might otherwise “take you on”. Keep them handy by putting them away after use.
  • Augers – Shut off the power when working with augers and make sure others know you’re working on them. Use lock outs/tag outs on the electrical box to signify they’re not to be turned on.
  • Heavy lifting – Use your knees, not your back, when reaching down to pick up heavy objects. Use the dead cart for removing large animals. Ask for help with big jobs!
  • First aid kits – need to be in every barn. Know where yours are located in case of emergency.
  • Sharp edges/broken crates – Sometimes crates have welds that are broken or sharp. Either grind them down yourself or make a note so maintenance can fix it.
  • Showers – COVID-19 should not be the reason you clean up the shower. That dirty, slimy build-up can cause slips and falls and shouldn’t be allowed to form. Breeding mats can also be put down on the floor to help prevent falls.
  • Fire extinguishers – should be located in several places throughout the barn. Take the time to know where they are and how to use them.
  • Avoid needle sticks – Piglets should be properly restrained before injecting. Take the time to aim properly at sows and boars. Slower, smoother movements often work better when injecting sows and boars, rather than lunging at them. Dispose used needles in a sharps container. When not in use, cover the needle with a needle cap.
  • Checking bins—Watch for slippery ladders, especially on windy days. Keep feed bin lids in good repair so it’s not a struggle to open them.

 


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

SVC Newsletter – March 2020

Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) and African Swine Disease (ASF)

 

Disease events are clearly in the forefront of everyday news. COVID 19 is dramatically affecting our lives. In the swine world, African Swine Fever (ASF), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) continue to affect animals globally. North America is constantly at risk to be infected due to world travel and the bringing of contaminated products into our country. Farm biosecurity is critical to being on the winning team with or without an FAD event. Biosecurity can be strengthened by the following 10 items:

  1. Communication – Talk about farm biosecurity with all team members every week. Talk about events going on in the world, in the US and in your neighborhood. Constant communication keeps everyone focused on doing the right things every day and helps instill the culture of biosecurity on the farm.
  2. Help people realize they fight an invisible enemy –Viruses and bacteria are microscopic and because we cannot see them it is easy to dismiss them. As humans, we are a million times bigger than bacteria and 10 million times bigger than viruses! In general, on a dry surface, the PRRS virus can live a week at room temperature. So you can see that without intervention, this virus and others can enter your farm and infect your animals.
  3. Clean up people before they enter – The use of a bench in front of the shower to remove footwear prior to entering the shower area is a good process. Make sure staff and visitors respect the clean/dirty sides to the shower. Keep all farm equipment, clothing and towels on the clean side of the shower. If no shower is available, consider using a bench, change into farm clothing and footwear, and wash or use disinfection wipes on hands. If you have a shower but it needs to be upgraded to be used routinely, now is the time.
  4. Clean up supplies before they enter – Good protocols exist on how to clean up potentially contaminated supplies. Normally cardboard and other difficult to disinfect materials are removed and sprayed with disinfectant. Often heat is added to shorten kill time. Make sure the incoming supply room flows all in/all out and does not become a storage room.
  5. Know the status of animals before they enter – A pre-ship test of incoming animals to sow farms is recommended. The test should occur as close to the ship date as possible. Incoming animals should be isolated in a separate area with proper airflow. A post arrival test can also be done 48 hours after arrival to make sure the transport event occurred without contamination.
  6. Protect key physical entry/exit points of your farm –Have protocols in place each time an exit door opens. Often a change of clothing and disinfection occurs after an exit door is opened and then closed before farm workers are allowed to return to normal farm operation. Key events would be weaning pigs, getting garbage out and removing cull sows.
  7. Feed can be a vector for disease – Many agents are available to put in feed to help reduce viral and bacterial contamination. Retrieval feed should not be used for sows and should not be used if from a contaminated site. Also, broken feed augers should be disinfected prior to putting back into feed lines from the outside.
Mitigant Company Mitigant Type Inclusion rate lbs/ton
Captisure Kemin Medium chain fatty acid 20
Vigilex Provimi Medium chain fatty acid 8
Activate DA Novus Organic acid blend Up to 11
SalCURB Kemin Formaldehyde + propionic acid 6.5
Termin-8 Anitox Formaldehyde + propionic acid 6

Contaminated feed can serve as a vector for viral infection in pigs. Feed additives containing various acids have anti-viral properties. Several feed additives have been studied to assess their ability to reduce viral load of contaminated feed as a method to reduce risk of introducing high-risk pathogens (PRRS, PED, foreign animal diseases).

 

  1. Know status of transport vehicles –Truck washes and disinfection as well as heating and drying are effective methods to clean up livestock transport trailers. Ensure the inside of the cab is cleaned and disinfected after each load as well as all tools used to help with animal movement. For finishing pigs, review the location of the clean-dirty line and where the trucker is allowed to go.
  2. Air as a pathogen vector -Farms with air filtration systems already know that air is a vector for disease. Routine inspections of all filters should be mandatory. A routine inspection of the entire farm looking for air leaks is also needed. Included in this process is monitoring of rodent control as rodents can quickly damage filters.
  3. Audit key events – We often think we know what is going on at the farm without being present. An audit of key biosecurity processes is essential to ensure they are being done correctly. The audit is also a great opportunity to have an educational discussion with farm staff. Often a specific person at the farm can be used as a “biosecurity expert” to support the biosecurity culture of the farm.

 


Conferences

Swine Vet Center at the 2020 Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Conference

Dr. Laura Dalquist spoke at the MVMA (Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association) conference on February 20th in Minneapolis on “Antibiotic Stewardship in the Swine Industry.”

Swine Vet Center at the 2020 A.A.S.V. Conference

Once again, Swine Vet Center had a great presence at the 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting.

Dr. Alyssa Betlach gave a presentation named “Development of Cost-Effective Surveillance Protocols to Minimize the Risk of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Introduction to Sow Farms” in the Research Topics session.

Dr. Paul Yeske along with Prairie Systems presented “Utilizing LeeOTM Individual Animal Identification System” in the Industrial Partners session. Dr. Paul also judged the posters.

Dr. Brad Leuwerke presented “A Practitioner’s Perspective on Managing Bacterial Pathogens” in the Disease Control, Prevention and Elimination session.

Dr. Ross Kiehne chaired the session “Pigs are Easy; People are Hard”. Topics covered were how to influence people, review of characteristic profiles and how to use them, and how to identify and deal with depression with colleagues and clients.

Dr. Mike Eisenmenger gave a presentation in the Biosecurity session of the meeting called “Day to Day Transport Biosecurity: The Real World”. Dr. Eisenmenger also participated in a Q&A round table discussion on transportation.

Dr. Chris Sievers won the practice tips award with his tip “Taking the Sour out of Scours with 2 Easy Steps”

 


SVC Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

No portion of this newsletter may be used/copied without written consent of Swine Vet Center

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  • Virulent PRRS outbreaks in grow-finish require fast action to cut losses
  • Highly infectious PRRS variant causes high mortalities on sow farms
  • Fine-tune nursery management to achieve optimal pig performance
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  • Nicollet’s Loula honored with MN Pork Board’s Distinguished Service Award

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    PHT+ NEWS FEEDwhat is this?

    What’s in a name? Understanding how flu viruses are identified can help fine-tune swine vaccine strategies

    By Micah Jansen, DVM, Veterinary Manager, US Pork, Zoetis

    Forecasting swine disease outbreaks

    Researchers at the University of Minnesota have been working on a predictive model to forecast when a disease outbreak may occur on a farm.

    Scientific foundation explains efficacy of Excede® for Swine against SRD pathogens

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 22: A robust body of research explains the efficacy of Excede® for Swine (ceftiofur crystalline free acid) against four of the bacterial pathogens associated with swine respiratory disease.

    Individual sow care offers benefits throughout the farm

    Pig health and performance begin with the sow, which is why it’s critical for caregivers and production managers to evaluate each sow’s health, body condition, comfort, behavior and well-being as part of their daily routine. “By training workers, we can help them reduce sow mortality rates and culls, improve sow performance, stabilize the health status […]

    Pigs with APP have less mortality, fewer lung lesions after treatment with Excede® for Swine compared to enrofloxacin

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 20: Pigs with swine respiratory disease due to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were treated with Excede® for Swine (ceftiofur crystallinefree acid) or enrofloxacin in a comparative challenge study.

    Herd-status classification is first step to Mycoplasma control

    By Lucina Galina Pantoja, DVM, PhD, Director, US Pork Technical Services, Zoetis

    Negotiating extra label drug use rules

    TOOLBOX, Issue 21: Rick Swalla, DVM, recently talked with editors of Pig Health Today about regulations concerning extra label drug use.

    Mix it up: Resuspension times for injectable antibiotics can vary widely

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 24: An analysis of three similar injectable antibiotics used for swine respiratory disease pathogens demonstrates that resuspension times can differ substantially.

    Torremorell: Proven benefits of influenza vaccination

    US producers and veterinarians have seen an influx of different types of influenza viruses in the last 10 to 15 years, and that is a major reason why influenza is more difficult to control.

    Water: Essential nutrient often overlooked in pigs

    Water doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it is abundant, easy to access and inexpensive, but that will change in the future, said John Patience, PhD, professor at Iowa State University.

    Ct values predict PRRS nursery mortality, can guide vaccination decisions

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 18: Obtaining cycle threshold (Ct) values based on processing fluids provides a practical way to identify neonatal pigs at risk for nursery mortality associated with PRRS and can help determine when vaccination is worthwhile.

    Deen: Batch farrowing requires ‘different mindset’

    It appears batch farrowing is making a comeback, according to John Deen, DVM, PhD, distinguished global professor at the University of Minnesota.

    Iowa scientists focused on diagnosing, managing Streptococcus suis in pigs

    Multi-disciplinary collaboration by academia, industry partners and the veterinary community is improving the diagnostics for and management of S. suis.

    High prevalence of PCV2 recombinants highlights importance of broad vaccine coverage

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 21: A recent analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genetic sequences shows that up to 25% of field strains are recombinants of diverse genotypes, highlighting the importance of broad protection when selecting a PCV2 vaccine.

    Iowa scientist sees ‘a lot of genetic diversity’ in swine influenza viruses

    According to research, swine influenza A viruses have become more complicated in recent years. There is a great deal of diversity within the influenza virus.

    Three ways to assess your herd’s ‘positive welfare state’

    The “Five Freedoms” have been the foundation for establishing sound animal welfare practices since they were developed in 1965. Now, more than 50 years later, researchers have additional tools and technologies to take that basic knowledge a step further.

    Fostera® PRRS protects against diverse PRRS virus field strains

    DISCOVERIES, Issue 19: PRRS has been described as one of the most important swine diseases of the last half-century. An estimated 20% to 25% of herds are still affected, and the syndrome remains the US swine industry’s most costly disease.

    Pork’s future relies on trust throughout the pork value chain

    In the end, raising hogs is about producing pork, and continuous success depends on building customers’ trust, listening to expectations and meeting their needs.

    Genetic diversity makes swine influenza a challenge for producers

    Influenza A virus in swine is one of the primary respiratory pathogens challenging swine production systems in the US and around the world.

    Decontamination protocols fail to disinfect incoming hog supplies

    Biosecurity protocols are critical to keeping the US hog herd healthy, and one of the regular tasks is to disinfect a wide range of supplies entering the farm, but how effective are those protocols?

    What they don’t tell you in veterinary school: Take care of yourself

    A romanticized view of the veterinary profession, gleaned from sources like the famous Brit, James Herriot’s novel “All Creatures Great and Small,” doesn’t always mesh with the reality.

    Neonatal pigs with low levels of viremia may benefit from PRRS vaccination

    TOOLBOX, Issue 19: An interview with
    Jose Angulo, DVM,
    PRRS Specialist,
    Managing Veterinarian,
    Zoetis 

    Pork industry makes progress on pain management

    Pain management for pigs has always been a challenge, partly because it’s difficult to measure levels of pain and partly because there are no FDA-approved drugs labeled for pain management in pigs.

    Can the processing-fluid toolbox expand beyond PRRS?

    Piglet processing fluids have been shown to be a practical, time-efficient and affordable diagnostic tool for PRRS, and some indications suggest that PCV2 offers promise as well.

    Take a process-driven approach to influenza control

    US pork producers should strive to produce influenza-negative pigs if they want to see the benefits of increased productivity, reduced secondary infections and antibiotic use, reduced influenza dissemination, decreased influenza diversity and reduced risk of zoonotic infections.

    Committing time, attention to pig’s first 24 hours key to health, uniformity

    The farrowing room is a demanding place — one that needs to accommodate the divergent needs of a 500+-pound sow and her 10, 15 or 20 piglets weighing anywhere from 1.5 to 3 pounds.

    COVID-19 impact on swine industry headlines 2020 virtual Leman Conference

    COVID-19’s global-altering tentacles reached the 2020 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference scheduled Sept. 19-22. This year’s conference will be held virtually.

    Researchers ‘look beyond the normal’ to identify emerging disease

    The first case of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Strep. zoo) was identified in the US pig population last fall, and it’s not an organism to be taken lightly.

    Addressing ‘unknown factors’ in sow mortality

    Sow mortality has been on the rise in the US pork industry, reaching upwards of 15% in many sow-production systems, said Ashley Johnson, DVM, technical services veterinarian with Zoetis.

    Rate of PCV2 recombination not widely recognized

    TOOLBOX, Issue 16: An interview with Meggan Bandrick, DVM, PhD Associate Director, Global Biologics Research, Zoetis

    Swine Health Information Center: Preparing for emerging diseases

    Whether the issue is an emerging disease such as porcine epidemic diarrhea or the threat of African swine fever, being prepared is key to minimizing the potential impact on the US swine herd and expediting the recovery.

    Veterinarians, mind your mental health

    Veterinarians deal with stress under the best circumstances. But in this time of difficult decisions for pork producers and those who service them due to COVID-19, maintaining mental health is even more of a concern.

    Pen-side diagnostic comparisons for nursed-off sows and fallback pigs

    For both the sow and piglet, an animal that does not perform to its potential or falls behind its counterparts will negatively impact the sow farm’s productivity and profitability.

    Vaccine trial data versus lineage: What’s the best way to predict PRRS vaccine performance?

    TOOLBOX, Issue 20: An interview with Eva Jablonski, DVM, PRRS Specialist, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis

    Antimicrobial resistance causing few clinical problems in swine

    Clinical problems in swine due to antimicrobial-resistant infections are rare. In fact, patterns of resistance in swine have been stable for a long time.

    Comparing diagnostic sampling prospects from M. hyo-positive-source boar studs

    Many sow farms have undergone M. hyo elimination within their breeding herd, which makes it critical to understand the potential transmission risk from boar studs.

    Watch your Strep: Keep your guard up for this evolving bacterium

    Few things remain the same for long on a hog farm. By the very nature of today’s production system, pigs are continuously moving on or off a site. One thing that remains constant is Strep suis.

    Processing fluids provide an option to monitor PCV2 and PCVAD

    Effective PCV2 control relies on vaccination of healthy pigs before they become infected. This goal cannot be accomplished in unstable herds whose sows give birth to viremic pigs.

    Comparing PCV2 gilt vaccination protocols and progeny status

    Porcine circovirus type 2 is the principal etiological agent of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), which can cost producers an estimated $3 to $4 per pig.

    Automatic foggers fall short in disinfecting hog-farm supplies

    Preventing fomites from carrying pathogens into hog farms is a daily biosecurity priority, but how effective are typical disinfection protocols?

    Gebhart: Cracking the Strep suis code

    Streptococcus suis (Strep suis) is becoming more prevalent and more complex in US swine herds. The coccoid-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium is also a zoonotic disease, capable of transmission from pigs to humans.

    Study compares PRRSV antibody-sampling options for sows

    When it comes to porcine reproductive and respiratory virus it’s important for the veterinarian and farm personnel to know the health status of a herd or barn.

    German researchers: Pigs, poultry not susceptible to COVID-19

    Scientists in Germany have confirmed that pigs and chickens are not susceptible to COVID-19.

    How stress hammers a pig’s intestinal system

    Experts say some forms of sustained stress can weaken a pig’s immune system and make it more vulnerable to disease and performance losses.

    Swine dysentery makes an unwelcome comeback

    Just when US pork producers thought swine dysentery was a problem of the past, it has re-emerged for an unwelcome encore in a slightly different form.

    Moving biosecurity from the farm to the feed mill

    An effective biosecurity strategy is not a stagnant process. It is continuously influenced by changes in pig-flows, disease pressures, virus evolution, emerging health issues and more.

    Ellis: No magic bullet to reduce pre-wean mortality

    Pre-wean mortality has increased over the last 15 years, and it’s a major concern for US pork producers and veterinarians.

    Outmaneuvering PRRSV requires a better understanding of genetic diversity

    PRRSV is constantly evolving, resulting in an extremely diverse virus with multiple lineages, but building a better understanding of that genetic diversity is the next step to making real progress against the disease.

    Deen: Apply old lessons to new technologies

    Classical education emphasizes the need for industries to adopt new technologies to keep up with external demands and constantly changing economic environments.

    Pollmann: Make the most of your human capital

    The US pork industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, with enough variables to make even astute, savvy businesspeople cautious. However, one of the biggest components of a successful, healthy operation is human capital.

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