Join the experts as they review PCV2 and its role in PMWS. Learn the latest information on diagnostics, pathology, and immunology of PCV2. Discover the agents responsible for up-regulating PCV2 from infection to outbreak and learn field-tested management techniques to help your clients manage PMWS. Fort Dodge Animal Health and Wyeth Animal Health invite you to attend a Porcine Circovirus Seminar held just prior to the AASV Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. The Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Power Panel features Dr. Pat Halbur, Iowa State University; Dr. Steven Krakowka, Ohio State University; and Dr. Joe Connor, Carthage Veterinary Service, Carthage, Ill. The seminar takes place at 2:00 – 5:00 pm on Friday, March 4, 2005 in Pier 7 and 8 (Convention Level) of the Westin Harbour Castle hotel. To attend, RSVP to Andrea Zarda, Fort Dodge Animal Health: Tel: 913-664-7159 or E-mail: azarda@fdah.com.
Monthly Archives: January 2005
Prevalence of Salmonella Species and Serovar Diversity in Swine Finishing Farms in Alberta
Salmonella is recognized as one of the most important swine-related zoonotic diseases. In the past, methods of control of Salmonella have focused predominantly on the processing stage of pork production. However, as pathogen reduction performance standards in the packing plant increase, more pressure is placed on preventative strategies at the farm level. The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine the prevalence and source (pigs and/or environment) of Salmonella spp. in Alberta finishing farms and to identify the serovar diversity that exists between farms.
AABP leader Jim Jarrett passes away
Rome, Ga. — James A. Jarrett, DVM, executive vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), died January 22, at his home after a long courageous battle with colon cancer. Jarrett was 69 years old.
Position Announcement: Head, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana-Champaign seeks an outstanding individual to serve as Head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine. Candidates must have a strong record of leadership, a clear vision of the future of veterinary medicine and a desire to lead a diverse, dynamic community of veterinarians.
Fellowship for Graduate Study in Clinical Swine Nutrition and Production at Kansas State University
The KSU swine nutrition team is seeking a veterinarian with swine practice or production experience to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Swine Nutrition and Production. The research program will be tailored to the individual candidate’s interest. Training in all aspects of applied clinical swine nutrition will be provided. Upon completion of the program, the candidate will have a strong training in epidemiological and economic analysis of swine production systems with emphasis on applied swine nutrition. The candidate will have the opportunity to solve problems using on-farm research with several leading edge swine production systems.
PRRS meetings to precede AASV meeting in Toronto
A series of PRRS workshops will be held at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 just prior to the AASV 2005 Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. All AASV members, AASV meeting exhibitors, and stakeholders in the USDA Integrated Program Project on PRRS Elimination in the U.S. are invited to attend. There is no registration fee and pre-registration is not necessary. The meeting agenda is listed below. For more information, contact Lea Schwartz: schwa142@umn.edu, Tel: 612-624-2292.
Dr. Mark Engle defends thesis
Dr. Mark Engle successfully defended his Masters thesis at University of Minnesota. The title of Mark’s project was “Emerging Disease Surveillance and the Swine Practitioners Role”. Congratulations Mark!
AASV spouses invited to enjoy Winter in Niagara tour
Spouses accompanying AASV annual meeting attendees to Toronto have a variety of activities available for their participation, including a tour to the icicle-bedecked Niagara Falls and Ontario’s wine country. The tour takes place on Monday, March 7, and includes coach transportation to the Falls (bring your camera!), tour guide, and a buffet luncheon. A drive-through tour of historic Niagara-on-the-Lake is next, followed by a stop at a world-class winery for a tour and tasting. Carol Waddell, wife of current AASV President Dr. John Waddell, is tour hostess. Pre-registration by February 11 is required. Tour details and information about additional spouse activities during the meeting may be found at http://www.aasv.org/annmtg/2005/spouse.htm.
AASV Foundation seeks research proposals by January 31
As part of its planned annual schedule, the AASV Foundation seeks research proposals for funding in 2005. Up to $12,000 (US) will be disbursed, with a maximum of $6000 awarded per project. Proposals are due January 31, 2005. The selection and announcement of projects for funding will take place in March.
Effect of age and physical or fence-line boar exposure on estrus and ovulation response in prepubertal gilts administered PG600
Boar exposure has been used for estrus induction of prepubertal gilts, but has limited effect on estrus synchronization within 7 d of introduction. In contrast, PG600 (400 IU of PMSG and 200 IU of hCG; Intervet, Millsboro, DE) is effective for induction of synchronized estrus, but the response is often variable. It is unknown whether boar exposure before PG600 administration might improve the efficiency of estrus induction of prepubertal gilts. In Exp. 1, physical or fence-line boar contact for 19 d was evaluated for inducing puberty in gilts before administration of i.m. PG600. Exp. 2 investigated whether 4-d boar exposure and gilt age influenced response to PG600. In Exp. 1, 150-d-old prepubertal gilts were randomly allotted to receive fence-line (n = 27, FBE) or physical (n = 29, PBE) boar exposure. Gilts were provided exposure to a mature boar for 30 min daily. All gilts received PG600 at 169 d of age. Estrous detection continued for 20 d after injection. In Exp. 2, prepubertal gilts were allotted by age group (160 or 180 d) to receive no boar exposure (NBE) or 4 d of fence-line boar exposure (BE) for 30 min daily before receiving PG600 either i.m. or s.c. Following PG600 administration, detection for estrus occurred twice-daily using fence-line boar exposure for 7 d. Results of Exp. 1 indicated no differences between FBE and PBE on estrus (77%), age at puberty (170 d), interval from PG600 to estrus (4 d), gilts ovulating (67%), or ovulation rate (12 corpora lutea, CL). Results from Exp. 2 indicated no effect of age group on estrus (55%) and days from PG600 to estrus (4 d). A greater (P < 0.05) proportion of BE gilts expressed estrus (65 vs. 47%), had a shorter (P < 0.05) interval from PG600 to estrus (3.6 vs. 4.3 d), and had decreased (P < 0.05) age at estrus (174 vs. 189 d) compared with NBE. Ovulation rate was greater (P < 0.05) in the BE group for the 180-d-old gilts (12.7 vs. 11.9 CL) compared with the NBE group. However, age group ha! d no effect on ovulation (77%) or ovulation rate (12 CL). Collectively , these results indicate that physical boar contact may not be necessary when used in conjunction with PG600 to induce early puberty. The administration of PG600 to 180-d-old gilts in conjunction with 4 d prior fence-line boar exposure may improve induction of estrus, ovulation, and decrease age at puberty.