Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 28, 2026 AHD Bulletin – New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey. Link. Malone: Bad and good pain. Link. Just trying to save lives and survive! (video). Link. Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload. … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo opens June 3
The world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show brings together pork producers and industry professionals from around the world for two days of education, innovation and networking. It takes place Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Source: World Pork Expo. Link. There’s something for everyone — an expansive trade … [Read more...]
Animal health preparedness is business preparedness
The recent swine pseudorabies event showed us how vulnerable our industry is. Sharing what the Iowa pseudorabies response taught us, Tom Brincks writes, “The right response is neither panic nor complacency, but discipline. We should use this event to strengthen surveillance, improve traceability, tighten site-specific biosecurity and take feral swine exposure seriously wherever … [Read more...]
Sapovirus indicated in pre-weaning and post-weaning piglet scours
Since the inclusion of sapovirus in routine testing, pathologists have noted that a majority of pigs, with and without diarrhea, tested positive for this agent. However, they also observed that younger pigs appeared to have a heavier load of virus in their intestines and it was observed that pigs with enteric lesions of villus atrophy that were PCR positive for rotaviruses were … [Read more...]
16-year study proves air filtration is critical tool to reduce disease risk, protect herd productivity
A University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Population Medicine study shows that farms with commercial air filtration systems experience a significantly lower risk of PRRS outbreaks compared to unfiltered operations. The study results provide evidence not only for pigs and PRRS risks but support the investment sophisticated air filtration requires. Source: PORK, April … [Read more...]
Iowa officials moves decisively to contain 1st pseudorabies case in more than 20 years
Pseudorabies, a herpes virus, was officially eradicated in 2004 in commercial herds but remains endemic in feral swine populations. An April 30th detection in Iowa involved five boars in a small commercial herd with fewer than 100 animals. A direct trace-back shows the five positive boars were part of a shipment received several months ago from an outdoor “transitional” herd in … [Read more...]
New ISU guides help hog producers manage heat stress
Swine producers have new resources available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to mitigate summer heat stress. These resources are available for download from the ISU Extension store: Heat Stress in Swine Production: Breeding Herd Considerations Heat Stress in Swine Production: Basic Research Source: National Hog Farmer, April 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 16, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 9, 2026. Link. Most read posts from April 9, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Building adherence with CAPC data. Link. Personal responsibility. Link. 7 signs your executive team lacks leadership maturity. Link. Why relationship-centered care wins in veterinary medicine. Link. Keeping cows on track … [Read more...]
Benefits of adopting the PRRS-resistant pig
“PRRS has been the most frustrating thing we’ve had to deal with as veterinarians,” says Jason Hocker, DVM. “The virus changes and adapts and seems to always be one step ahead of us. It’s something we’ve not been able to make a lot of progress on as an industry.” The decades-long PRRS trajectory could finally be changing with FDA approval of the gene edit used in PIC’s … [Read more...]
Before PRDC takes control: The early role of Bordetella bronchiseptica
Bordetella is a cofactor in a wide range of bacterial and viral respiratory infections. In swine, B. bronchiseptica can be an important early life pathogen and a contributor to porcine respiratory disease complex. Ubiquitous on farms, it is often passed from sow to piglet in the farrowing environment, causing infection as early as day three. New research published in … [Read more...]
Finisher sites are the weak link in swine disease biosecurity
The constant movement of pigs, people and equipment creates significant pathways for disease transmission in multi-site swine production. Recent research showed finisher sites were the most vulnerable, with an 82.4 percent outbreak rate, compared to wean-to-finish (66.7 percent) and nurseries (33.3 percent). Source: PORK, March 23, 2026. Link. The study suggests prioritizing … [Read more...]
Managing large litters; 13.9 functional teats for 15.7 piglets
With larger litters and limited teat capacity, many producers have increased interest in management strategies such as split suckling and teat optimization, writes Abigail Jenkins, PhD. Sharing modern research trial perspectives, she notes there was no improvement in growth performance and inconsistent effects on mortality when split suckling was practiced. Teat loading … [Read more...]
New working with large animals course for first-year vet students at Iowa State University
A NEW course in the College of Veterinary Medicine exposes first-year veterinary students to swine, sheep, cattle and horses in an effort to help with the shortage of rural and large animal veterinarians across the country. Mandatory for all first-year students, "Large Animal Clinical Skills" introduces them to livestock and horses <Link>. The addition of the course … [Read more...]
Barn monitoring could reduce insurance risks
Commercial Content Distynct and Pledge Insurance Advisors announced a joint program designed to reward livestock customers who invest in barn monitoring and proactive risk reduction. The program recognizes the role continuous monitoring plays in reducing the risk of catastrophic livestock losses and improving long-term operational resilience. Source: Feedstuffs, March 3, … [Read more...]
Failing forward: Why swine vets look at obstacles as opportunities
Learning from failure and not avoiding it was the context of the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Jennifer Shrike captures the various perspectives of speakers in this article. Many of the comments could be applied to other species, such as: “Don’t be afraid to fail because of uncertainty; it’s always present. It’s not about getting it … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Management practices affect the genetic diversity of influenza in weaning piglets
Although Influenza A virus diversity has been well documented, there is limited information on how farm management practices influence the diversity of IAV. A study presented at the 2025 Leman Swine Conference evaluated the association between herd-level management practices and the genetic diversity of IAV in weaning piglets. This study provides field-based evidence that … [Read more...]
New PRRS strain moving fast through Indiana, Ohio swine facilities
A new strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is plaguing pig farmers in Ohio and Indiana. PRRS 1-10-4 L1C.5.35 is moving fast through barns and is more aggressive than other strains. These pigs still get very sick very quickly and get very quiet when this PRRS strain hits, according to Bethany Heitkamp, DVM. The most unusual thing she is seeing is … [Read more...]
New food pyramid is a significant reset of U.S. nutrition policy
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 from HHS and USDA seek to deliver a clear, commonsense message to the American people: “Eat real food.” Kristin Bakker’s article shares potential benefits to American food animal producers. Source: Feedstuffs, January 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
This little piggy is a commitment: a guide to responsible pet pig ownership
Many pet pigs end up in rescues after owners realize they were unprepared for the specific needs of owning a pig. Before bringing a pig as a pet into your life, it’s essential to understand what keeping pigs actually involves, from size and space to time, money and even legal considerations. Source: Los Angeles Times, January 26, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Kevin Spencer has … [Read more...]
Mortality at the sow farm: a 10-year retrospective
Mortality continues to be one of the most influential factors affecting profitability, yet remains difficult to reduce. Despite ongoing innovation, robust disease management and collaborative efforts across all sectors of swine production, the analysis of a decade of data clearly shows the ongoing struggle with mortality. Rachel Johnson shares livability trends and data about … [Read more...]
New research identifies direct cause of porcine ear necrosis
By focusing on managing bacterial exposure and preventing ear trauma, swine farms may finally be able to reduce the incidence and severity of porcine ear necrosis, a global welfare‑related condition. A new controlled study provides evidence that Fusobacterium necrophorum can directly induce PEN‑like lesions in pigs. Source: National Hog Farmer, January/February 2026. … [Read more...]
Avian influenza outbreaks confirmed in 5 states
Confirmed avian flu outbreaks have hit another five U.S. states, affecting more than 128,000 birds, according to APHIS. The recent outbreaks occurred at commercial poultry farms and in backyard flocks in Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York. The virus is also suspected in the deaths of wild birds in Florida and Iowa. Source: CIDRAP, December 30, 2025. … [Read more...]
5 livestock diseases that could impact U.S. food security and economic stability
Stephanie Mercier identifies five diseases with the potential to disrupt U.S. livestock production, trade and response infrastructure at scale from a new report from The Farm Journal Foundation, The Mean Sixteen: Biosecurity Threats Facing U.S. Agriculture. Three of them already challenge U.S. production: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) African swine fever (ASF) New … [Read more...]
No needles needed
Promising research at the Roslin Institute has demonstrated a needle-free, solid-dose vaccine can protect pigs against PRRS; the first time that needle-free, solid-dose vaccine technology has been shown to work in any species. Source: PORK, December 11, 2025. Link. The development of needle-free vaccination could lower the risk of spreading diseases via reused needles, … [Read more...]
Circumvent® CL swine vaccine is now available from Merck Animal Health
CIRCUMVENT® CL vaccine is a new addition to Merck Animal Health’s swine portfolio. The ready-to-use vaccine is formulated to protect pigs three weeks of age and older against disease caused by Porcine Circovirus Types 2a and 2d and Lawsonia intracellularis. The formulation eliminates mixing/reconstituting, reducing on-farm labor and potential handling errors. Source: Merck … [Read more...]
Better water, better pig health
Water quality and water delivery systems remain a critical component of optimizing animal health, regardless of the species. Sarah Muirhead’s article focuses on on the challenges of scaling, biofilms, medication efficacy variables and water treatment effectiveness. The comments on water testing frequency and aquifer variability are notable. Source: Feedstuffs, November 2025. … [Read more...]
Study reveals T cells drive PRRSV vaccine protection
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is one of the fastest-mutating RNA viruses that veterinarians face. Although current vaccines offer protection, the rapid mutation of PRRSV means that vaccinated pigs cannot produce a consistent or effective broadly neutralizing antibody response. Current vaccines are successful in helping the body identify and attack pieces … [Read more...]
The effect of fall in swine production
Four industry experts share helpful strategies to boost farm health and productivity this fall in this article from Jennifer Shrike. The Q3 State of the Pork Industry Report video is included [1:00:38] and is worth the time if you’re working with or marketing in the swine production sector. The guest experts name a) manure management dangers, b) monitoring heavier weights in … [Read more...]
Dry fog a possible alternative for disinfecting supplies entering farms
Veterinary student Lindsey Britton’s research was recognized during the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. Her study looked at dry fogging systems as an alternative disinfection method and demonstrated efficacy in reducing pathogen viability, including Salmonella spp. Two different disinfectants were fogged from a Micro-spray unit and evaluated: a) hypochlorous acid and b) … [Read more...]