Dr. Laura Schulz has joined the swine veterinary consultant team at Swine Vet Center, a swine-exclusive full service veterinary practice located in southern Minnesota. Dr. Schulz, a 2008 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of nine swine veterinary consultants on staff at the Swine Vet Center. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Blunt Directs Action to Safeguard Against Feral Hogs
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt this week directed departments to implement recommendations presented by the diverse task force he formed to consider major issues regarding feral hogs, their destructive habits and potential to spread disease. The governor also called on the legislature to take action on the task force recommendations. Feral hogs are reported in over 20 of Missouri’s 114 counties and the population is estimated at 5,000 to 10,000.
Detecting Diseases in the Palm of Your Hand
Portable laboratories the size of your palm, capable of analyzing food for diseases such as salmonella, no longer belong in the realms of science fiction. OptoLabCard, a project funded by the EU to the tune of over ?3 million, has created one of only two prototype systems in the world that prepares samples and performs DNA tests on bacteria in a portable, easy-to-use and cost-effective chip. This innovative prototype promises to carry out tests in as little as half an hour.
NJ Court Upholds Farming Practices Questioned by Animal Rights Groups
The New Jersey Supreme Court has upheld several regulations established by the state agriculture department that had been criticized as inhumane by a coalition of animal rights groups.
Maple Leaf Hog Plant to Become Beef Operation
Natural Prairie Beef Inc. said Tuesday it has acquired a Winnipeg, Manitoba, hog processing plant from Maple Leaf Foods and begun to redevelop the facility to produce premium-branded beef.
FDA Approves New EXCENEL? RTU EZ for Swine
The U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EXCENEL® RTU EZ (ceftiofur hydrochloride) Sterile Suspension for the treatment and control of swine respiratory disease. New EXCENEL® RTU EZ is an improved formulation which makes injections easier for user convenience.
CAST Issues Paper on Swine Carcass Disposal
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has issued a paper examining methods of carcass disposal in the swine industry. The paper, entitled “Swine Carcass Disposal Options for Routine and Catastrophic Mortality”, is available free of charge online and in print (515-292-2125; fee for shipping/handling).
COOL Interim Final Rule Published
The “Interim Final Rule for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts” (mCOOL) went on display at the Federal Register. The 233 page document can be viewed online at http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2008-17562_PI.pdf. The comment period will be open for 60 days following publication. The regulation will be effective beginning September 30, 2008.
Diseases in swine transmitted by artificial insemination: An overview
Artificial insemination (AI) of swine is widely practiced in countries with an intensive pig production. It is a very useful tool to introduce superior genes into sow herds, with minimal risk for disease transmission. However, the impact of semen that is contaminated with pathogens can be enormous. Most of the micro-organisms that have been detected in boar semen are considered non-pathogenic, but some are known pathogens (e.g. porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus) that can cause major economic losses. Microbial contamination of semen can be due to systemic and/or urogenital tract infections of the boar, or can occur during collection, processing and storage. It can result in reduced semen quality, embryonic or fetal death, endometritis and systemic infection and/or disease in the recipient female. Conventional techniques for isolation of bacteria and viruses from the semen do not always provide optimal results for various reasons, including lack of sensitivity and speed of testing, and difficult interpretation of the outcome. More recently, PCR tests are commonly used; they have a high sensitivity, the outcome is quickly obtained, and they are suitable for monitoring a large number of samples. The best strategy to prevent AI-transmitted diseases is to use boars that are free of specific pathogens, to monitor the animals and semen regularly, and to maintain very high biosecurity. Additional measures should be directed at treating semen with appropriate antimicrobials, and at reducing contamination during semen collection, processing, and storage.
Golfers: One week remains to register for AASV Foundation Midwest Golf Outing!
Nine teams have already registered for the AASV Foundation Midwest Golf Outing, but we have room for more! Registrations are due August 6 for the fundraising event, scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 at the Ames Golf and Country Club in Ames, Iowa. Gather your golf gear, assemble a team, and submit your registration, available here. Pfizer Animal Health (Golf Hole Sponsor) and Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health (Golf Hole Sponsor) have joined Elanco Animal Health (Luncheon Sponsor) and Applied Biosystems (Beverage Sponsor) in providing financial support for the event, enabling proceeds from the event to fund AASV Foundation programs and activities.