The yearly pattern in hog prices is largely driven by the yearly pattern in pork production, writes Ron Plain. He shares an overview of hog prices on the farm, in the futures and at retail. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 22, 2024. Link. Weekly pork production is lowest in the summer and highest in the winter. “Lower costs contributed far more to profits than higher hog … [Read more...]
Could we eliminate PEDV from the U.S. swine population?
The U.S. swine industry has effectively been able to attack PEDV. Herds are getting cleaned faster thanks to the progressive mindset of producers, pig production companies, their teams and practitioners. The declining prevalence has swine scientists and industry leaders considering whether the pathogen can be eradicated. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Panel of DVMs discusses the greatest swine disease challenge in 2024
Outlining surprises and challenges facing pork producers and their veterinarians, Jennifer Shike shares responses from practicing swine veterinarians. PRRS remains the greatest challenge and it underscores the importance of biosecurity and prevention strategies. No biosecurity measure is too small to implement . . . but they take repetitive discipline and everyday management … [Read more...]
Pig Paradigm searching for alternatives to antimicrobials
Sharing advancements in the from exploring the interaction of the host, diet and gut microbiota to prevent infection in the gut of developing piglets is an objective of the Pig Paradigm. At their annual meeting And Liu, PhD, shared study results showing by adding the probiotic Bacillus subtilis, severe cases of post-weaning diarrhea were reduced by as much as five percent and … [Read more...]
June heat wave enveloping the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
A hot day or two is normal, but the National Weather Service says a near-record strong heat dome will bring record-breaking high temperatures and sultry, uncomfortable nights during the next two weeks. The inherent risks to people are no surprise especially when temperatures remain high during the night. For animal health pros, reminding animal owners to keep their animals … [Read more...]
Pig spit could become indicator of animal health
Say what? We don't really know what the microbial community normally looks like in healthy pigs so researchers chose to study the saliva of weaned piglets to fill a scientific gap. The study found significant differences in samples collected from five farms, but noted the bacterial communities identified in oral fluids from piglets appear to be less diverse than those in fecal … [Read more...]
Are pet dogs and cats the weak link in bird flu surveillance?
Some epidemiologists, food safety experts and veterinarians worry that pets could provide a potential springboard for H5N1 bird flu to evolve into a human threat. They are warning pet owners against feeding their animals raw food. Source: Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2024. Link. When researchers talk about their biggest bird flu fears, one that typically comes up involves and … [Read more...]
$1 million grant funds agencies to detect new strains of PRRS
A $1 million USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant will help researchers leverage the Swine Disease Reporting System to detect new strains of PRRSV. A new, web-based tool called the SDRS BLAST tool, allows veterinarians, producers and other users to compare genetic sequences of PRRSV with those in the SDRS. Source: The Pig Site, May 9, 2024. Link. “For the … [Read more...]
Becoming a better client for the veterinarian
Lacey Fahrmeier, DVM, shares ways clients can help foster stronger connections and mindful adjustments with their veterinarians. Although focused on issues with rural livestock veterinarians, her five steps also apply to companion and equine practice clients as well. Veterinarians only have so much bandwidth. If you don’t want your vet to burn out, you probably need to … [Read more...]
What did we learn from the worst economic period in U.S. pig production history?
There is no “normal” year for a pig producer, writes Trey A. Kellner, MS, PhD. He shares four key takeaways to remember during the next down cycle: Control the controllable Elevate your strengths, improve on your weaknesses Be responsible, realistic; but not a revisionist with management strategy decisions Feed is your number-1 cost; prioritize it Source: … [Read more...]
Is H5N1 a threat to U.S. swine herds?
Influenza is constantly changing, shared Amy Baker, DVM, PhD, in a recent webinar for swine producers. Influenza from a native waterfowl host has the potential to infect swine. Those same viruses can also interact with humans and poultry. Baker emphasized awareness, precautions and surveillance. Several species, including pigs, birds, wild mammals and humans, have the … [Read more...]
2024 Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference set for May 22nd
National Hog Farmer's sixth annual Global Hog Industry Virtual Conference is scheduled for May 22 10:00 a.m. CDT. Topic themes will focus on policy, performance and profitability. New to this year’s conference is The National Hog Farmers' New Product Tour competition. Register here for this FREE educational event and to interact with the speakers on event day <Link>. … [Read more...]
Seek Labs announces progress targeting the African Swine Fever Virus
The successful completion of an in vivo therapeutic trial using innovative CRISPR-based technologies to target the African swine fever virus in pigs demonstrated pigs infected with ASFV and treated with Seek Labs’ CRISPR-based systems survived longer than untreated infected pigs. Over half of the CRISPR-treated pigs survived beyond the duration of the trial. Source: … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, PhD, joins Fear Free as director, animal well-being
In her new role, Dr. Grandin will focus on developing innovative strategies to improve the well-being of animals to ensure lives worth living. She will begin her focus on how to bring Fear Free to farm animals. I'm especially excited about plans to give animals used for food and fiber what's being called 'a life worth living', where animals get to experience positive, … [Read more...]
Pork Powerhouses listings for 2023 released
The 36th largest U.S. pig producers reduced sows by 17,348 in 2023. It’s the first net loss Pork Powerhouses has reported since 2010 and shows the pain pork producers experienced last year. There was an average loss of $31.57 per head. However, productivity increased. Source: Successful Farming, May 6, 2024. Link. Producers credited improved genetics and continued investment … [Read more...]
FDA finalizes guidance to provide further clarity on VFD
To assist stakeholders involved with veterinary feed directives – veterinarians, VFD feed distributors (medicated feed mills, feed retailers) and clients (owners or other caretakers of the animals) the FDA has finalized Guidance for Industry (GFI) #120: Veterinary Feed Directive Regulation Questions and Answers. While the core recommendations in final GFI #120 remain the same … [Read more...]
Phibro Animal Health to acquire Zoetis medicated feed additive portfolio
Zoetis Inc. and Phibro Animal Health Corporation announced they have entered into a definitive agreement where Phibro Animal Health will acquire Zoetis’ medicated feed additive product portfolio, certain water-soluble products and related assets. Source: Feedstuffs, April 29, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
We can’t ignore the real costs of PRRS any longer
The U.S. <still> has a lot of work to do concerning PRRS. “PRRS is not new, and it is not going to go away on its own,” according to Cara Haden, DVM. And the U.S. is not making progress at the rate of other countries. Jennifer Shike shares key takeaways Haden offered during the Ohio Pork Congress. There is a very real cost of PRRS when it comes to pigs, people and public … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo registration is now open
The National Pork Producers Council is set to welcome the global swine community at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on June 5th and 6th. They are packing a lot of activities into the two-day event; food, fun, show pig contests, education and the latest advances showcased in the trade show. Source: NPPC. Link. Register here <Link>. … [Read more...]
CDC’s new HeatRisk tool
The CDC and National Weather Service have teamed up to roll out two experimental tools nationwide that will help public health officials and citizens to better prepare for dangerous heat: HeatRisk Dashboard and HeatRisk Forecast. Given the challenges heat brings to livestock production and companion animal safety, these tools can help animal health pros stay safe and more … [Read more...]
H5N1 adapting, not stopping
Since the avian flu arrived in 2020, more than 90 million birds have been culled in the U.S. Unlike other avian flu viruses, H5N1 has infected a wide variety of birds and mammals, including seals, skunks, dolphins, polar bears and dairy cows. The virus continues to evolve and scientists are especially worried about pigs because they’re susceptible to human and avian flu … [Read more...]
USDA approves Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) solution for certain respiratory diseases in cattle and swine
Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone ranked as a critically important antimicrobial. The labeling of the drug includes a statement that it should be used only after considering other, non-fluoroquinolone therapeutic options. Pradalex is approved in certain ages and classes of cattle for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated … [Read more...]
Insects on farm animal menus
Sharing her fascination for livestock innovations, Phibro’s Leah Dorman, DVM, writes about how insects may provide an alternate, sustainable protein source in livestock diets especially where soy is not easily grown. Source: Explore Animal Health, March 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Dorman is referencing controlled and mass-scaled production of insects for protein. Hobby … [Read more...]
From mixed practice to swine specialist, Randy Jones, DVM (podcast)
Randy Jones, DVM, is an icon in swine practice and production. He shares his journey from a mixed veterinary practice to specializing in pigs, the pig industry’s evolution to specialization in farm management and veterinary roles. Source: Popular Pig Podcast, March 28, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The role of vehicle movement in swine disease transmission
Researchers at North Carolina State University sought to better understand the role of vehicles in spreading diseases between swine farms. The study indicates that, except for crew transport vehicles, all vehicle types analyzed have the potential to spread disease across numerous farms. They noted vehicles transporting pigs to farms or markets showed a substantial decrease in … [Read more...]
The 5 Ps of biosecurity
The recent discoveries of HPAI in goats and cows have caused escalating discussions of biosecurity in livestock production. Swine and poultry producers have been dealing with this need for some time, but compliance to biosecurity measures remains challenging. Ann Hess shares some of the challenges and survey results she discussed with Pipestone’s Rachel Stika Jensen, … [Read more...]
The anti-meat discussion returns to rapid emissions reduction
Commentary The next big climate deadline is for meat and dairy, writes Kenny Torella sharing information from the December 2023 United Nations Climate Change conference. He quotes Harvard’s Helen Harwatt who says, “We need to see major changes in livestock production and consumption . . . really deep and rapid changes over the next decade.” Beyond the obvious reduction in … [Read more...]
Annual leptospirosis vaccination NOW recommended by ACVIM
Leptospirosis sp. is a zoonotic risk in humans and other mammals. Leptospirosis is most frequently recognized in cattle, swine, dogs, horses and wildlife. Cats are also being considered as more investigation takes place. Modern canine vaccines offer four serovars of lepto to help protect dogs and the infection risks are not restricted to large-breed dogs, male dogs, or dogs … [Read more...]
USDA restricts use of ‘Product of USA’ label to U.S.-grown meat, poultry and eggs
Under a new rule, food processors will be able to put “Product of USA” on packages of meat, poultry and egg products only if the animals were born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. The new rule takes effect in 60 days. Compliance becomes mandatory on Jan. 1, 2026. Source: Successful Farming, March 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Unraveling patterns of swine pathogen co-infections
Pig health is continually challenged and conditions vary from farm to farm. Multiple pathogens influence effective prevention strategies frustrating producers and veterinarians. To evaluate co-infections and their impact on farms and to better understand the consequences of pathogen challenges, a collaborative project of Iowa State University and Boehringer Ingelheim studied … [Read more...]