The first of the 2014 AASV Annual Meeting presentations is now available to watch online.* Dr. Daryl Olsen gave the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture, “The pig always wins” as part of the Monday General Session: Our Oath in Practice. AASV members may view videos from keynote and general sessions of the AASV Annual Meeting going back to 2005 at https://www.aasv.org/members/only/video/
Monthly Archives: March 2014
PEDv Update – March 26, 2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Veterinary Diagnostic Center has provided guidelines for submitting PEDv samples to the lab for PED diagnostics.KSU provided a link to a suggested protocol for feed sample collection and an evaluation of possible technologies to reduce feed contamination with PEDv.National Pork Board appropriated $650,000 for PEDv research, American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) also provided an additional $100,000 to investigate feed related issues. Genome Alberta is contributing $500,000 for collaborative research.AASV, NPB and NPPC met with feed industry representatives in March to discuss research needs relative to feed and ingredients as a potential vector for the transmission of PEDv.VDLs and researchers have looked at a number of PCR positive samples using bioassay and havenât been successful showing a connectionSample retention questions Sensitivity of the bioassay â testing few animals for what may be a low (but not zero) risk of transmissionTesting methodology questionsCanadians were able to infect pigs using contaminated porcine blood products but not finished feedsScott Dee is reporting success using bioassay and feeding pigs for a longer period of time.The New Case Report for the week ending 3/22/14 has been posted on the AASV PEDv web page. The NAHLN reports 266 positive accessions out of 825 tested at 9 Veterinary Diagnostic Labs. In addition, they adjusted last weekâs number down to 291 from 296. This maintains the general downward trend in positive case submissions. No new states reported a confirmed case.
FDA Receives Strong Industry Commitment for its Antibiotic Resistance Strategy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing that since December 2013, when FDA announced final Guidance for Industry #213, all but one animal drug company have committed in writing to seek withdrawal of approvals for any production uses of affected drug applications and change the remaining therapeutic uses of their products from over-the-counter (OTC) to use by Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or prescription.
U.S., Canadian Pork Industries Collaborate with Feed Industry, Others on PEDV
More than 60 people representing the U.S. and Canadian pork, feed and other allied industries recently participated in a meeting on the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) hosted by the National Pork Board, and in collaboration with the National Pork Producers Council, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, the American Feed Industry Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, the National Renderers Association and the North American Spray Dried Blood and Plasma Producers, in Des Moines, Iowa. Although the disease does not affect humans or pork safety, it has infected and killed millions of young pigs on farms of all sizes in 27 states since May 2013 and in four Canadian provinces since January. [NPB Press Release]
AASV Members Recognized with 40 Under 40 Awards
After evaluating numerous outstanding nominations for Vance Publishing Corporationâs inaugural 40 Under 40 in Agriculture Awards, a panel of judges from across the industry has narrowed the list to the final 40. These individuals were selected for their leadership and commitment in advancing the cause to double food production by 2050. Two AASV members, Jean Paul Cano and Luke Minion, are among those recognized.
Pain Mitigation
The interest in responding to concerns about finding a way to provide swine farmers with a mechanism to mitigate pain associated with castration and tail docking has led veterinarians to consider the use of analgesics. The discussion has revolved around the lack of approved analgesic/anesthetic products for use in swine. Lidocaine is one product that has been considered. It is our opinion at AASV that, although not approved for use in swine, lidocaine is approved by FDA and, therefore, could be used in an extra-label manner if the conditions of AMDUCA can be met.
Pork Industry Launches Three-Prong Strategy to Stem PEDV Spread
The National Pork Board has announced additional funds earmarked for research in the fight against the further spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), which was first identified in the United States last May. The funds â $650,000 through supplemental funding approved by the Pork Checkoff Board of Directors in early March and $500,000 through a new agreement with Genome Alberta, will provide new opportunities for research. [Pork.org]
Ontario Pork Producers Opt for Sow Stalls
Delegates to the Ontario commodity organizationâs annual meeting in Guelph want proof of better welfare before they adopt another housing system. [Better Farming/AgMedia]
FDA Announces New Reporting Tool for Livestock Animal Food Problems
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a new website for the public to report problems related to livestock animal food. [FDA-CVM]
Foundation Awards $60,000 to Researchers
During the AASV Foundationâs annual luncheon in Dallas, Texas, foundation president Dr Daryl Olsen announced the selection of research proposals for funding in 2014. The selections were the inaugural awards made under the foundationâs new submission, review, and reporting guidelines, which were implemented in conjunction with a substantial increase in funding designated for research. Olsen reported that $60,000 was awarded to 3 projects to be conducted over the coming year.