The dates and locations for the 2017 “Passion for Pigs” Seminar and Trade shows have been announced as follows:
Monthly Archives: June 2017
Position Announcement: Technical Services Veterinarian
IDT Biologika Corporation is growing and seeks to hire a Technical Services Veterinarian at Gallant Custom Laboratories in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
NPPC Calls on Government to Fund FMD Vaccine Bank
The National Pork Producers Council is calling on the U.S. government to provide one billion dollars over five years to fund the creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank. [Source: Farmscape.ca, June 20, 2017 by Bruce Cochrane]
Development of a Stochastic Agent-Based Model to Evaluate Surveillance Strategies for Detection of Emergent Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Strains
The objective of the current study was to develop a stochastic agent-based model using empirical data from Ontario (Canada) swine sites in order to evaluate different surveillance strategies for detection of emerging porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains at the regional level. Four strategies were evaluated, including (i) random sampling of fixed numbers of swine sites monthly; (ii) risk-based sampling of fixed numbers, specifically of breeding sites (high-consequence sites); (iii) risk-based sampling of fixed numbers of low biosecurity sites (high-risk); and (iv) risk-based sampling of breeding sites that are characterized as low biosecurity sites (high-risk/high-consequence). The model simulated transmission of a hypothetical emerging PRRSV strain between swine sites through three important industry networks (production system, truck and feed networks) while considering sites’ underlying immunity due to past or recent exposure to heterologous PRRSV strains, as well as demographic, geographic and biosecurity-related PRRS risk factors. Outcomes of interest included surveillance system sensitivity and time to detection of the three first cases over a period of approximately three years.
ASF: Detection and Diagnosis – A Manual for Veterinarians
The purpose of the manual, titled African Swine Fever: Detection and Diagnosis A Manual for Veterinarians, is to provide veterinary professionals, para-professionals, and laboratory diagnosticians with the information they need to promptly diagnose and react to an outbreak or case of African swine fever (ASF). Pig farmers, hunters and forest managers will also benefit.
Doc Tales
As I am sure you are aware, during the month of June a number of countries celebrated Fashion Week 2017. I didn’t realize how fashion conscious swine veterinarians are until I overheard one AASV member approaching another in the serving line at the Annual Meeting. The first vet said to the second, “I’ve known you for 20 years and you still dress like a small animal vet!” In addition, a member was recently overheard commenting on a common fashion statement observed in certain southern states: “Cowboy boots and shorts don’t go together and rompers work for nobody!”
President will Consider Bill to Protect Nation’s Food Supply, Agriculture Sector from Agroterrorism
Efforts to protect the nation’s agriculture sector and food supply against terrorist attacks and high-risk events would be ratched up under a bill that the House approved on Monday. [Source: Homeland Preparedness News, June 23, 2017]
OMS World Pork Expo Training Success
More than 60 pig farmers and allied industry members took advantage of a full-range of Operation Main Street training courses June 6 through June 8 at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
Risk Factors for Development of Lameness in Gestating Sows within the First Days after Moving to Group Housing
Lameness in sows is an important welfare issue that is affected by housing conditions and is thought to be influenced by hierarchical fights within the first days after mixing sows in groups. A longitudinal study in 15 randomly selected herds was performed to investigate the incidence of sow lameness and possible risk factors within the first days of group housing. Each herd was visited just before and again 3-5 days after the sows were moved to group housing. The floor characteristics and dimensions of the group housing facilities were assessed. Locomotion ability, body condition, skin lesions and degree of faecal soiling were recorded for all sows. Additional information on housing and management was obtained using a questionnaire. Amongst the 810 sows included in the study, the mean lameness incidence was 13.1% (95% confidence interval 10.9-15.6%). Following binomial logistic regression analysis, sows with >10% of the body covered with faeces had an increased risk for development of lameness (odds ratio, OR = 2.33, P = 0.001). An increase in space allowance from 1.7 m2 to 3.0 m2 (OR = 0.40, P = 0.03) and of herd size from 144 to 750 sows per herd (OR = 0.71, P = 0.02) decreased the risk of development of lameness. Neither the degree of aggression, indicated by skin lesions, nor the floor characteristics influenced the development of lameness. These results indicate that sows can benefit from a larger floor area. Pluym LM, Maes D, Van Weyenberg S, Van Nuffel A; Risk Factors for Development of Lameness in Gestating Sows within the First Days after Moving to Group Housing; Vet J. 2017 Feb;220:28-33. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.11.008. Epub 2016 Nov 21. PMID: 28190490 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.11.008
Allen D. Leman Swine Conference
The Allen D. Leman Swine Conference (September 16-19, 2017 Saint Paul RiverCentre) is an annual educational event for the global swine industry. It is internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry. Each year hundreds of participants from more than 20 countries attend the Leman Swine Conference held in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Abstract submission ends on July 9, so submit your abstracts here.