October is Pork Month. Beyond their value as the most consumed animal protein in the world, Kevin Schulz shares other ways pigs contribute to our lives. Source: The Farmer, September 8, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
First lung transplant from gene-edited pig performed in China
A 39-year-old brain-dead person in China has become the first human to receive a lung from a pig. With consent from the person’s family, researchers took the organ from a CRISPR’d pig, trimmed it, and stitched it into the chest, where it remained for nine days. Experts stress there is a long way to go before pig lungs can be used in patients. Source: The Guardian, August 25, … [Read more...]
Veterinary team targets FAD hotspots to protect U.S. livestock
This article is informative and timely. The related article* linked at the end of this post describes how researchers found a gap between biosecurity perception and practice on farms, as well as a reliance on veterinarians for biosecurity-related advice. The health and protection of food animals from foreign animal diseases remains a significant concern and efforts to stay … [Read more...]
USDA to build $750M sterile fly facility to combat New World screwworm spread
USDA is moving ahead with plans to build a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base near Edinburg, Texas, to produce 300 million sterile flies to combat New World screwworm and reduce reliance on foreign sources. Source: Farm Progress, August 18, 2025. Link. Also see: Emergency use of animal drugs authorized for screwworms, BEEF, August 19, 2025. Link. HHS … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers
Kevin Schulz shares an important reminder as crop harvesting season arrives. Whether swine, cattle or poultry, maintaining good observation of animals is critical despite the focus on gathering crops. Source: The Farmer, August 11, 2025. Link. You’re spending too much time on the combine and not enough time in the barns. You need to pay more attention to your sows, even … [Read more...]
Does vaccination influence PRRSV evolution?
A new paper from the University of Minnesota shares strong experimental evidence that vaccination influences PRRSV-2 evolution and can drive genetic changes that result in viral populations distinct from the original challenge virus. Vaccinated animals harbored viruses that were more genetically diverse and distinct from the parent virus. However, even though viruses … [Read more...]
Beware of blue-tinted pig tissue, an indicator of rodenticide contamination
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife urges hunters to always use caution when harvesting game animals and be aware of potential risks. Wildlife can be inadvertently exposed to rodenticides either by eating rodenticide bait or by eating other animals that have ingested rodenticides. Rodenticide baits often contain dye to identify them as a poison. Blue-colored … [Read more...]
4 ways feral hogs cost farmers and ranchers
It’s easy to know if feral hogs are on one’s land, according to Curtis Larson, Noble Research Institute ranch manager. “You can see exactly where they’re rooting up the pasture, going for stuff in the ground, grub worms and such,” he says. The critters cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage yearly to land across the U.S. They now number about nine million in 36 states. … [Read more...]
Rural versus well water: What’s the impact on nursery pig performance?
Pipestone researchers found striking differences between rural and well water when used in pig nurseries. The use of rural water resulted in better health outcomes and more efficient growth. Pigs on rural water showed a 5 percent higher full-value rate and had a mortality rate of just 2.3 percent, compared to a 6 percent mortality rate in the group on well water. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 3, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – WOAH, invest in vaccines to defend against growing disease threats. Link. Redesigned Secure Beef Supply website, new biosecurity resources. Link. 13 plants that gardening experts say repel mosquitoes. Link. New York judge says a … [Read more...]
New World screwworm update and swine perspective
Ann Hess shares an update and perspectives on the advancing risk of the New World screwworm and where the risks exist for swine in the U.S. She includes how the changes in the Darien Gap increase risks. The Darien Gap has served as a biological barrier for keeping New World screwworm away from our border. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 13, 2025. Link. Fly control will be … [Read more...]
What separates the top-tier pork producers from the rest?
Farm Credit’s Chris Ford looked back over several years to see what differentiated pork operations that have done well and those that have struggled. He notes the challenges that PRRS continues to bring and identifies three main areas where producers can excel: Optimizing production Good bookkeeping Risk management Source: PORK, June 23, 2025. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 26, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 19, 2025. Link. Most read posts from June 19, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Avoid confusion about pinkeye in cattle. Link. Calf vaccinations: You won’t find all the answers in a bottle. Link. Consumer sentiment rebounds sharply in June. Link. Sounds that can trigger aggressive behavior in cats. … [Read more...]
Why people attend the World Pork Expo (video)
Jennifer Shrike shares a look at why people make the trip to Des Moines every June and their recommendations on how to make the experience unforgettable. The weather can be searing hot, rainy or blustery on any given day so a poncho and sun shade headgear are considerations. Come hungry, be ready to learn and network with pork industry influencers, leaders and … [Read more...]
Inflatable tube man as bird deterrent
Includes Commercial Content We noticed the comments about the inflatable tube men in the National Hog Farmer article here. We later found found additional information about using inflatable tube dancers to help control birds and deer from LookOurWay. The erratic movement of inflatable tube men gives birds and other pests no chance to adapt. Sources: Migratory birds … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo® 2025 to open June 4th in Des Moines, Iowa
World Pork Expo remains a premier event for swine producers and the swine industry. The two day event draws more than 10,000 pork producers and ag professionals across the world each year. Nearly 400 companies from North America and around the world will be on-site, displaying products and services at booths, outdoor exhibits and hospitality tents at the 2025 WPX. Promoted by … [Read more...]
Advances in swine housing, health and welfare
New legal requirements, consumers’ opinions, challenging epidemiological conditions and increased pork demand are driving an imminent transition in swine production. New housing conditions and the need for improved welfare are top of mind issues across the industry. Two of the five articles presented in this special issue of Animals investigate finishing pen space and … [Read more...]
K-State researchers update African Swine Fever virus stability to cold, heat
A new study from Kansas State University found that the ASF virus was still detectable in samples that were repeatedly frozen and stored at 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), thawed and then frozen again. ASF is known to be a particularly tough virus to destroy. Still, the viability may allow for samples of the virus could be frozen and stored or transported over … [Read more...]
FDA approves PRRS-resistant pig
After years testing a rainbow of pigs, Genus has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the gene-edited PRRS-resistant pig in the U.S. food supply chain. Source: National Hog Farmer, April 28, 2025. Link. Addressing PRRS can allow us to improve animal welfare and reduce the environmental impact of raising pigs. Recent research indicates that PRRS … [Read more...]
Large animal internship guidelines emphasize mentorship, supervision, outcomes
It’s a first! AVMA’s Large Animal Hospital Internship Guidelines and Veterinary Large Animal Ambulatory Internship Guidelines outline the structure of a successful large animal internship for both scenarios, accounting for issues specific to working in such practices. Source: AVMA, April 28, 2025. Link. The internship guidelines say that such programs should be a one-year … [Read more...]
Reminder: Don’t bring home more than ribbons from shows
Fair and show season is here and Sophie Varner’s article reminds us of the importance of planning for animal biosecurity to protect our livestock investments before, during and after shows. The same goes for horses going to events or trail rides. AND . . . don’t forget to protect the pets that travel to shows and events. Veterinary teams can use Varner’s article as a … [Read more...]
Livestock producers concerned about diseases, uncertain about level of threat
Commentary Iowa is a top U.S. producer of red meat and eggs. The information here is likely representative of many livestock producers in the U.S. For veterinary teams and animal health pros serving owners of any herd or flock size, the research results are informative, concerning and actionable. We must dedicate ourselves to improving producer education on diseases and risk … [Read more...]
Improving productivity key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock
Commentary Seeing research and projections like these are important in managing the effects of livestock production practices domestically and globally. The information in this article is likely to elicit a “well duh” response from many animal health professionals. Regardless of species or country, improving adherence to best practices requires continual education and … [Read more...]
Participation in industry surveys critical to hog industry decisions, support
Response rates on hog inventory surveys keep falling, writes Lee Schulz, noting that only 63 percent of pork producers surveyed for the March 2025 report responded. Asserting the importance of reporting data, he shares how the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects and shares industry metrics. To get reliable, representative data, NASS needs to survey and … [Read more...]
Handling the existing and looming threats of feral swine
Called wild, feral, pigs, boars, swine or hogs, these adaptable animals are an invasive species steadily encroaching into more than 35 U.S. states and several Canadian provinces writes Bruce Derksen. Wild pigs cause direct physical damage to pastures, forage fields, fences and crops and like deer are a direct competitor in pasture-based livestock management … [Read more...]
Lactation station: Tips for optimizing sow diets during nursing
Swine producers expect a lot physically from sows. They often must feed more piglets than they have nipples, maintain their own condition and recover after piglets are weaned to be in shape to quickly breed again. Nutritionist Casey Neill addresses the challenge of feeding sows and the transitional nutritional needs of piglets in the nursery. Source: National Hog Farmer, … [Read more...]
Pork industry optimistic despite disease, labor challenges
Speaking at the Minnesota Pork Congress, Brett Kaysen shared pork producers have put a lot of emphasis on prevention and preparedness for foreign animal disease but don’t want to lose sight of endemic diseases that hurt profitability. Pigs are the easy part. The people are the challenge.” Source: The Farmer, March 4, 2025. Link. Image: USSCMC … [Read more...]
Transboundary mosquito watch as JEV expands in Australia
Japanese encephalitis virus poses a serious viral threat to swine. Australian officials reported the first detections of JEV in animals in Queensland in July 2022. JEV is a flavivirus in the same family as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. Source: PORK, February 18, 2025. Link. JEV is spread by mosquitoes and causes … [Read more...]
Applying facial recognition to animal stewardship and production
Fascinating! Scientists worldwide are turning to AI to decipher the facial expressions of animals, from sheep to horses to cats and dogs. Some have already developed faster and more accurate algorithms for recognizing signs of pain and distress than the most attentive humans. In this article, the authors share several examples of how AI is being developed to observe animals and … [Read more...]