Foreign animal diseases and the line of last resort
Oct 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Veterinary Services, Greensburg, Indiana
Medicating mothers could help limit piglet pain
Oct 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Administering medicine through nursing sows could help improve piglet welfare by limiting the pain they feel during procedures such as teeth clipping and tail docking.
Researchers expand understanding of virus transmission in feed
Oct 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
As African swine fever virus continues to march across the globe, the US pork sector is laser focused on keeping it from reaching the homeland.
Is fogging an M. hyo-elimination option for your swine herd?
Sep 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Paul Yeske, DVM, with the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minn., has seen repeatable success with M. hyo elimination, along with the downstream effect of lower cost of production, better average daily...
Feed, water, air and comfort: Keys to prevent tail biting
Sep 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting in pigs remains something of a mystery. What triggers a pig or pigs to bite tails? Why do some express this vice and others do not?
It’s back: Clinical outbreak of PCV2 in genetic herds reported
Sep 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
A clinical outbreak of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) occurred this past winter in otherwise healthy, well-vaccinated herds, Clayton Johnson, DVM, of Carthage Veterinary Service, told Pig Health...
Rate of PCV2 recombination not widely recognized
Sep 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 16: An interview with Meggan Bandrick, DVM, PhD Associate Director, Global Biologics Research, Zoetis
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage.
Processing fluids’ effectiveness in monitoring PCV2 in sow herds
Sep 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccines have provided effective control options for PCV2, but vertical transmission remains a challenge for some farms.
Steps to mitigate cross-contamination of piglet processing fluids with PRRS MLV
Sep 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
As piglets move from the sow farm to the growing stage, it’s important to know their porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) status.
Survey says: RWA production adversely affects pig health and welfare
Sep 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Swine producers and veterinarians responding to a national survey said pressure to maintain the raised without antibiotics (RWA) label sometimes compromises animal health and welfare.
Carthage swine veterinarian: Focus on individual pig care can benefit entire production system
Aug 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Taking care of every single pig seems like a daunting task when producers have hundreds or thousands of pigs under their care. Still, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Pipestone nutritionist highlights advancements to improve pig health
Aug 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Producers know if a pig has good gut health in the nursery, it’s more likely to get off to a good start in the grow-finish barn. But with increased pressure on antibiotic use, nutritionists are...
Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Research, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Phase I of pelvic organ prolapse study offers new insights
Aug 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a dramatic, easy-to-identify event within the farrowing room. The difficult part is figuring out the cause and applying a solution.
Population-based diagnostics pinpoint the power in numbers
Aug 20, 2019Susan Spiegel
The world of diagnostics is expanding. Instead of focusing on individual animals, population-based diagnostics help veterinarians and producers identify the health status of their barns more quickly...
On the road again? Be careful not to pig out
Aug 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians putting in long days on the road caring for pigs should be just as cognizant of their own health and nutritional needs.
Smithfield veterinarian aims to connect dots on animal welfare
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
For Mary Battrell, DVM, a swine veterinarian for Smithfield Foods, animal welfare is the connection between animal health, well-being and performance; and optimizing that connection improves...
High health herd helps Finnish producers tackle tail biting challenge
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Focusing on running high-health herds and lowering stress levels is helping hog farmers in Finland prevent tail biting in non-docked pigs.
Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Aug 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Encouraging staff to have more direct involvement with managing and handling sows can have positive impacts on herd welfare and mortality rates, say scientists.
Impact of control options for Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis
Aug 12, 2019Susan Spiegel
Helping piglets make a smooth transition at weaning is always a priority, but bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis can make that goal particularly challenging.
Debriefing: Retrospective on the VFD experience
Aug 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
Maintaining performance in growing pigs despite production stress
Aug 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 10: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, PAS, Senior Swine Veterinarian, Zoetis
Processing fluids hold promise for PCV2 testing on sow farms
Aug 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Understanding the pathogen status of a sow herd helps determine the prevention, control and treatment options to protect piglets as they grow. For PCV2 there is no treatment; however, vaccination is...
Watch your Strep: Keep your guard up for this evolving bacterium
Aug 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
Few things remain the same for long on a hog farm. By the very nature of today’s production system, pigs are continuously moving on or off a site. One thing that remains constant is Strep suis.
PRRS in growing pigs linked to sow outbreaks
Jul 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in growing pigs may play an important role in PRRS outbreaks among sow herds.
Comprehensive management plan critical to piglet survival
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
Having a clear plan in place to manage sows and piglets before, during and after farrowing is critical to increasing piglet survival and maintaining sow health.
Does PRRS influence weaned pigs’ nutritional response?
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
In the past 30 years, the growth and body composition of US market hogs has changed dramatically, but the same cannot be said for dietary vitamin and mineral levels.
A simple scoring system can provide insights into tail biting and lameness
Jul 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting and lameness directly impact the well-being of growing pigs, which in turn impacts their productivity and the farm’s economics.
Resurgence of ‘old’ bacterial diseases in pigs: Why?
Jul 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three bacterial diseases considered under control recently flared up creating new challenges in hog operations. The older diseases include Haemophilus parasuis (parasuis), Streptococcus suis (strep)...
Know the feed risk factors for African swine fever
Jul 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
As African swine fever (ASF) continues its insidious spread through China and surrounding countries, the need to keep it out of US herds becomes more imperative.
Castration Alternatives, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, Pain Management, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Pork industry makes progress on pain management
Jul 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pain management for pigs has always been a challenge, partly because it’s difficult to measure levels of pain and partly because there are no FDA-approved drugs labeled for pain management in pigs.
Aureomycin® granular premix retained higher potency than Terramycin® meal premix in study
Jul 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 2: The particle size and distribution of a medicated-feed premix can dramatically affect how much active ingredient ends up in a pig’s digestive tract for disease treatment or...
National ASF-surveillance plan: What you need to know
Jul 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
The pork industry leans heavily on diagnostics to minimize the impact of disease, but they’re especially critical for monitoring African swine fever (ASF) and other trade-limiting foreign animal...
Data show filtered farms break less often with PRRS
Jul 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
Nine years of data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project show farms with air-filtering systems have fewer outbreaks of PRRS than farms without filters.
African swine fever, Strep suis hot topics at 2019 Leman Conference
Jun 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
The threat of African swine fever and its impact on the global protein market will be among several keynote lectures planned during the upcoming 2019 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul,...
Connor: ASF fears prompting broader view of biosecurity
Jun 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Maintaining good biosecurity has long been key to advancing the health, well-being and productivity of hog farms, but the threat of African swine fever has raised the bar and prompted veterinarians...
Adequate gilt acclimation helps minimize the PRRSV ‘tax’
Jun 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
Summer Solstice Special: Managing Heat Stress in Pigs
Jun 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Behold the Summer Solstice, a good time to think about the hot, steamy days ahead and how they'll affect swine health, welfare and performance. Pig Health Today talked with experts about helping pigs...
Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Davies: Focus on optimizing antibiotic use, not volume
Jun 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry has a good track record for using antibiotics responsibly, but how should it be graded for its efforts? By volume? Types of antibiotics used? Resistance trends?
Ractopamine has little influence on iodine value in pig fat carcass
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 14: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, PAS, Senior Swine Veterinarian, Zoetis
Optimizing nutrition key to unlocking full benefits of immunocastration
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
An alternative technique to physical castration could offer US hog producers a host of financial and management benefits.
On the road again? Don’t forget Pig Health Today podcasts
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Most of Pig Health Today’s video interviews with leading health experts and other opinion leaders can be downloaded as podcasts and listened to on mobile devices or through audio systems of most...
Five challenges facing swine veterinarians — and how to address them
Jun 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Today’s swine veterinarians are great multitaskers by necessity, said Deborah Murray, DVM, veterinary services manager, with New Fashion Pork, Jackson, Minnesota, at the 2019 AASV meeting.
SPECIAL REPORT: Thanks for the memories: Highlights from our 2018 World Pork Expo coverage
Jun 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
Like the rest of the industry, we miss being in Des Moines this week for World Pork Expo. Here are a few highlights from Pig Health Today's 2018 coverage -- proof that some stuff never gets old.
Early identification key to managing lameness in sow herds
May 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Claire LeFevre, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., Carthage, Illinois
Feed-mill biosecurity critical to reducing disease transmission
May 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed and feed ingredients are generating a lot of interest as possible vectors in transmitting swine diseases.
Some aspects of Senecavirus A continue to mystify researchers
May 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
While the spikes of Senecavirus A have plateaued in recent years, researchers in the pork industry are still confounded by the elusive virus and what triggers outbreaks.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Four new tools to boost efficiency
May 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
Between tight margins and constant herd-health challenges, pork producers are always looking for new ways to increase efficiencies and profits while also increasing transparency.
Senecavirus A: Several questions remain unanswered
May 20, 2019Susan Spiegel
Senecavirus A (SVA) is detected in a pig’s tonsils about 40 days after infection with the virus — a finding that raises some interesting questions.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Three cool tools headed to hog farms
May 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
The so-called Internet of Things — that emerging world in which everyday tools like thermostats and doorbells suddenly become indispensable smart devices — is not lost on the pork industry.
Aureomix S provides effective replacement for Mecadox
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 12: An interview with Thomas Painter, DVM, Senior Technical Service Veterinarian,Zoetis
Picking your battles is key to biosecurity success
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity is one of those on-farm topics that gets a lot of time and attention, but it can easily fall apart in the day-to-day reality of managing pigs.
Simpler, less costly monitoring methods helping pork industry get a better read on PRRS
May 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Newer testing methods for the PRRS virus are not only simpler and less costly than traditional procedures, they are also helping farms more accurately track the virus through different production...
Today’s forecast: Scattered PRRS outbreaks with isolated sprinkles of PED
May 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
Forecasting swine-disease outbreaks might become a lot like predicting the weather as scientists combine monitoring disease data with computer models.
What to do when emotions run high in a disease break
May 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Any way you look at it, going through a disease break on a farm is difficult. “The pigs are easy; it’s the people that make things difficult.”
Reducing stress can aid pig health, performance
May 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pigs can get stressed, just like people, and the impact can be just as serious.
Peroneal-scoring-first-clue-to-pelvic-organ-prolapse-in-sow-mortality-project/
Apr 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Perineal scoring first clue to pelvic-organ prolapse in sow-mortality project
Apr 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A large research project involving 104 US sow farms and 400,000 sows is expected to identify factors related to the recent increase in sow mortalities caused by pelvic-organ prolapses.
Good hygiene key to health and performance in fattening units, scientists find
Apr 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Investing in biosecurity in fattening units could see Europe’s pig sector increase its earnings by billions of Euros a year thanks to improved pig health and growth rates.
Why do summer PRRS breaks last longer than winter breaks?
Apr 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Summer outbreaks of PRRS take 15 weeks longer to stabilize than PRRS outbreaks beginning in the winter, according to data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP).
Estrus suppression boosts gilt welfare, productivity in Canada
Apr 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Delaying sexual maturity in gilts is helping pig producers in Canada streamline their production systems while improving carcass quality and animal welfare.
Imported feed ingredients: Supplier’s sourcing, biosecurity, shipping vital to product integrity, safety
Apr 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Brian Payne, DVM, technical services veterinarian at Zoetis, recently talked with editors of Pig Health Today about African swine fever (ASF) and the possible risks of importing the virus through...
The changing face of PCV: Virus experts compare notes on evolving pathogen in US swine herds
Apr 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
Clinical disease due to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been dramatically reduced thanks to vaccination, but concern remains about the persistence of PCV2 subclinical infection, even in...
Lincomix offers flexible dose rate for M. hyo
Apr 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 7: An interview with
Thomas Painter, DVM, US Pork Technical Services, Zoetis
What’s your ‘risk attitude’? The role of human behavior in biosecurity
Apr 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
How human behavior impacts biosecurity decisions is a new frontier that’s critical to producers.
AVMA releases first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals
Apr 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The AVMA has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made.
Multiple infections? It’s important to get to the root cause
Apr 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
Disease management can be challenging. You have a list of possible causes, but unless you get to the root cause, those symptoms are likely to recur.
Why did sow-mortality rates jump to 15%?
Apr 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
The spike in sow-mortality rates over the past decade has prompted the US pork industry to hunt for answers.
Secure Pork Supply plan updated to meet changing FAD needs
Apr 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
With African swine fever (ASF) well established in China and parts of Europe, US pork producers need to take steps now to protect their interests in the face of an outbreak.
Dee: Mitigants combined with extended storage time help guard against virus transmission
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed additives that mitigate viruses, combined with extended storage times, could help protect the US pork industry from African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases.
Castration alternative offers faster growth, more quality meat in study
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A novel castration alternative allows male pigs to grow faster and produce more high-quality meat than physically castrated or entire hogs, a new analysis shows.
Understanding feed flow, biosecurity critical in ASF battle
Apr 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry is nervous about African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases entering the country — and for good reason.
Action plan, training keys to humane euthanasia of pigs
Mar 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
A critical part of humane animal care on pig farms is responsible and timely euthanasia. However, identifying individuals for the job, training them and having a plan to carry out the process can...
Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
Mar 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
In recent years, producers have focused on pigs per sow per year and number of pigs weaned to maximize profits, but increased litter size puts pressure on sow longevity.
USDA expands ASF awareness tools to keep the virus out of the US
Mar 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
USDA has committed new resources to raising the awareness of African swine fever (ASF) and the importance of keeping the virus from entering the US.
Are you giving M. hyo the attention it deserves?
Mar 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) isn’t a new problem in the pork industry. I’s been around for years, but that’s exactly the point: Why is the industry still wrestling with it?
PRRS vaccine overcomes maternal immunity in day-old piglets
Mar 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
A new vaccine for PRRS has been shown to overcome maternal immunity in newborn piglets, offering protection from this costly disease from before weaning through slaughter.
Committing time, attention to pig’s first 24 hours key to health, uniformity
Mar 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
The farrowing room is a demanding place — one that needs to accommodate the divergent needs of a 500+-pound sow and her 10, 15 or 20 piglets weighing anywhere from 1.5 to 3 pounds.
Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
Mar 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
As influenza viruses evolve, is there a more effective way to manage vaccinations for influenza A virus in swine?
New technologies may yield new insights on antibiotic use, resistance
Mar 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
The pork industry has a reputation for using antibiotics responsibly, but when the industry looks at antimicrobial use and tries to understand how products either mitigate or promote resistance,...
Two-dose Fostera® Gold PCV MH regimen yields performance advantages
Mar 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 16: Pigs in a study that received two doses of Fostera® Gold PCV MH, the new Zoetis vaccine for PCV2 and M. hyo, had numerically fewer reactions, less morbidity, less mortality.
Mycoplasma control starts with stabilizing sow herd
Mar 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Economic losses caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae run between $3 to $10 per finishing hog due to reduced pig performance, according to Elise Toohill, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Service.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Interviews from AASV
Mar 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians conference is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: Interviews from AASV
Mar 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage. (Part...
Roundtable: Industry structure, culture, wild boars team up to intensify ASF threat in China
Mar 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
The discovery of African swine fever (ASF) in China’s wild boar population in late 2018 adds a new dimension to the already ominous disease threat — one that could possibly leave the Chinese to...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: Interviews from AASV
Mar 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage. (Part...
USDA steps up measures to prevent ASF spread to the US
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
As the spread of African swine fever (ASF) across Asia shows no signs of slowing, US pork producers have watched with a nervous eye toward international commerce and travel.
Australia’s experience with castration alternative should give global confidence, producer says
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Australian consumer acceptance of a technology that offers an alternative to physical castration should give more pork producers the confidence to use it, says one of Australia’s leading pork...
Is it time to eliminate PED from US herds?
Mar 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., Carthage, Illinois
Webb: FAD outbreak could be financially crippling for US pork industry
Mar 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A single reported incident of a trade-limiting foreign animal disease (FAD) would devastate the US pork industry, perhaps causing billions of dollars in losses.
M. hyo treatment with Draxxin® plays important role in SRD management
Mar 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 14: Pigs treated for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) with a single dose of the injectable antimicrobial Draxxin® (tulathromycin) had significantly better average daily gain and...
Gene editing offers future options to address swine diseases
Mar 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Whether the focus is human or animal medicine, gene editing has created a buzz today about its potential for addressing numerous health issues.
Field studies demonstrate safety of Fostera® Gold PCV MH vaccine
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 5: Fostera® Gold PCV MH, the new inactivated vaccine from Zoetis developed to provide the broadest protection available against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), has been...
Evolution of PCV2 virus, need for broader coverage spurred development of Fostera® Gold PCV MH
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 7: Compelling scientific evidence indicating the need for an updated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine was the driving force behind the development of Fostera® Gold PCV...
Fostera® Gold PCV MH protects pigs against PCV2a, PCV2b and M. hyo for at least 23 weeks
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 8: Fostera® Gold PCV MH is the only USDA-licensed vaccine that protects pigs against porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2a, PCV2b and M. hyo for at least 23 weeks.
New PCV2 vaccine for swine elicits strong cell-mediated immune response
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 9: A new porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine from Zoetis produces a robust and lasting cell-mediated immune response.
One dose of Draxxin® at weaning for SRD yields multiple benefit
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 13: Pigs from herds with a natural outbreak of swine respiratory disease (SRD) had significantly better outcomes when they received just one injection of Draxxin® (tulathromycin)...
Antimicrobial’s unique attributes explain efficacy against key SRD pathogens
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 12: The efficacy of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) against key swine respiratory disease (SRD) pathogens is largely due to the antimicrobial’s ability to reach and sustain high...
Animal welfare key to pork producers’ continuous improvement
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Animal well-being is not a new concept and has long been a priority on hog farms. “It’s one of the ethical principles within the industry’s We Care initiative,” said Sherry Webb,...
‘One Health’ approach needed to balance antibiotic usage, animal welfare
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
When it comes to responsible antibiotic management, there are wide-ranging views and interpretations on usage, impact, future direction and even terminology.
FDA’s antibiotic guidance and VFDs continue a smooth transition
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
It’s fast approaching 2 years since the FDA implemented its revised guidance for antibiotic use in food animals. At the center of the effort is the veterinary feed directive (VFD).
Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
When it comes to sow productivity, culling and mortality issues, “the simple answer is there’s no simple answer,” John Deen, DVM, University of Minnesota swine epidemiologist, told Pig Health...
Keep guard up for strep, parasuis in newly weaned pigs
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Newly weaned pigs face many challenges — new environment, feed, pen mates. They also face the challenge of bacterial infections like strep and parasuis, the two most common systemic bacterial...
Strategies to weaken PRRS’ grip on US herds
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
After more than three decades, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains a serious disease threat to swine units in the US.
Producer priorities drive NPB swine-health research
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
There’s no shortage of swine-health issues that would benefit from research investment, but when it comes to allocating Pork Checkoff funds, producers make the decisions.
Whole-herd vaccination critical to long-term PRRS management
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccinating entire herds against PRRS is crucial to ensuring the virus doesn’t become untreatable in the future, says a UK veterinarian.
New council to direct swine-disease response
Feb 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
For years, the USDA and US pork industry have had plans in place to address a foreign animal disease, but PED and ASF developments raised the priority status to a new level.
Rapid Response Plan offers CSI team for emerging diseases
Feb 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
Determining the cause of a peculiar health condition in pigs is not unlike a crime scene investigation (CSI). The veterinarian, producer and diagnosticians search for clues into what, how and why the...
Tale of two viruses: PCV3 impact unknown while PCV2 continues to evolve
Feb 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Genetic sequencing demonstrates that porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is significantly different from PCV2, but otherwise little is known about the virus.
A question of when: How the US pork industry is preparing for a possible FAD outbreak
Feb 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
This is the second in a two-part series on foreign animal diseases. Part 1 looks at the economic impact of a FAD outbreak.
Special report: FAD outbreak could cost US agriculture $200 billion over 10 years
Feb 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
This is the first in a two-part series on foreign animal diseases. Part 2 looks at what the US pork industry is doing to head off an FAD outbreak and to prepare for one.
How FADs have affected foreign markets
Feb 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Since the middle of the 20th century, numerous foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks involving the pork industry have been recorded throughout the world.
Shifting consumer trends require a more open dialogue
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Baby boomers have long dominated the retail marketplace — and they’ve been loyal meat customers. But that dynamic is shifting as millennial and younger shoppers, who are less committed to meat as...
Simple biosecurity measures offer significant production gains, scientists say
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Taking simple steps to improve biosecurity and welfare on pig farms can significantly reduce the amount of antimicrobials farmers need to administer, scientists say.
Veterinarian sees changes to three high-risk swine diseases
Feb 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three diseases affecting finishing hogs — Senecavirus A, porcine sapelovirus and erysipelas — have undergone changes over the past year that warrant the pork industry’s attention.
BMD®: What is its future in pork production?
Feb 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 5: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, PAS, Senior Swine Veterinarian, Zoetis
Industry and government must help producers prepare for new German castration ban, pig vet says
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
With new legislation in Germany banning castration without full anesthesia starting in 2021, the time for producers to make changes is now, a swine veterinarian says.
Managing pain, Strep suis infection in baby pigs critical for welfare
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry has demonstrated high standards for animal welfare, but there is still much to learn about mitigating pain — not only during processing, when pigs are often castrated and...
Don’t lose sight of M. hyo while battling other swine pathogens
Jan 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 1: An interview with
Lucina Galina Pantoja, DVM, PhD,
Director, Swine Technical Services,
Zoetis
Researchers create algorithm to predict PEDV outbreaks
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that could give pig farms advance notice of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreaks.
Finding ‘root of the problem’ key in herds with multiple disease challenges
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
New diagnostic tools have helped the pork industry get a better handle on disease monitoring, but how do you prioritize when multiple pathogens have infected the herd?
Connor: No clear winner in pen- versus crate-gestation debate
Jan 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow housing during gestation continues to draw debate as some hog operations make a switch from crates to pens for gestation. The results are mixed.
Nerem: Shift focus to responsible antibiotic use, not arbitrary reductions
Jan 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Some retailers and foodservice companies are asking for animals that have never received antibiotics (“no antibiotics ever” or NAE), but that request fails to recognize that animals — like...
Long duration of antibiotic helps improve clinical outcome after APP challenge
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 10: Pigs treated with one intramuscular dose of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) and then challenged with a virulent strain of APP had significantly reduced mortality and lung lesions...
Five-site study demonstrates efficacy of Draxxin® for SRD
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 11: A five-site study of pigs with swine respiratory disease (SRD) demonstrates that one dose of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) not only lowers mortality, it can significantly improve...
Yeske: Multiple factors contributing to rising sow-mortality rates
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
The spike in sow-mortality rates in recent years has everyone in the US pork industry searching for answers. Don’t expect any simple solutions, however.
Veterinarian says both pigs, caregivers suffered in antibiotic-free study
Jan 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
A study looking at how pigs challenged with PRRS performed in an antibiotic-free production setting needed to be stopped for welfare reasons so the pigs could be treated with antibiotics.
Enriching sow environment and diet improves sow welfare, early piglet survival
Jan 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
New research confirms that environmental stress during gestation can influence piglet health and mortality after birth.
Streptococcus suis leads SHIC’s Swine Bacterial Disease Matrix list
Jan 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Viruses tend to get first priority when it comes to monitoring swine diseases and herd health, but bacteria can wreak just as much havoc.
Tails or testicles: Which are better for PRRSV monitoring?
Jan 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pooled serum samples are a common method to monitor PPRSV in piglets. But this typically involves a limited number of samples, which reduces the sensitivity and makes detection especially challenging...
Knock, knock: Swine veterinarian shares experiences from VFD audit
Jan 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
When Peter Schneider, DVM, heard FDA auditors were at the door to see the operation’s VFDs, he remembers feeling a little nervous.
PED — live with it or eliminate it?
Dec 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
The porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus that devastated the US swine industry several years ago continues to persist, causing fewer pig deaths but curtailing pig growth.
Tyson VP: ‘Antibiotic issue is far from black and white’
Dec 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producer and consumer choice are equally important when it comes to producing quality pork products — and it’s important not to put limits on either of them, according to Kent Harrison, vice...
Veterinarian: ‘Take PED seriously and get it cleaned up’
Dec 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
After a few years of limited activity, PED remained quiet in southwest Minnesota until last spring, when four sow farms in southwest Minnesota broke with the disease.
Parvovirus still poses threat to breeding herd
Dec 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
For as long as anyone can remember, pork producers have vaccinated gilts for parvovirus. Now that outbreaks are rare, is it necessary to vaccinate the entire breeding herd?
Raising pigs without antibiotics? Plan to ‘sweat the small stuff’
Dec 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Follow this rule if you’re raising pigs without antibiotics: “Sweat the small stuff.” That’s the advice from Doug MacDougald, DVM, for any farm that wants to eliminate antibiotics without...
Communication key to consumer acceptance of modern pig production
Dec 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pig industry needs to be more open about intensive production systems if consumers are to be more accepting of modern pig production, a new study confirms.
SHIC establishes diagnostic strategies to get ahead of disease
Dec 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
If knowledge is power, being prepared is security. Both are drivers behind the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) program to share information among the nation’s four major swine veterinary...
Pork industry needs to balance animal well-being with antibiotic pressures
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
After 37 years of swine veterinary practice, John Baker, DVM, Boonville, Indiana, sees producers and veterinarians entering a new era in antibiotic management — one that focuses not on arbitrarily...
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Brenneman: ‘Have conversations about what’s going on at the farm’
Dec 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pork industry needs to do a better job telling its story — particularly about how it is improving, evolving and serving the best interests of consumers, producer Erin Brenneman told Pig Health...
17 years of detective work, shared experiences helping pork industry get ahead of PRRS
Nov 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
The evolution of knowledge about PRRS is now enabling pork producers and their veterinarians to make headway combatting this difficult and costly disease.
Scientist ‘pops the hood’ on US pork industry’s newest vaccine for PCV2
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 1: Cell-mediated immunity critical to vaccine performance
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 2: Why two PCV2 genotypes are better than one
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 3: Chimeric vaccines combine strengths of each antigen to provide better coverage
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Good nutrition, management can’t replace antibiotics, but they can help reduce the need
Nov 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producers looking to raise pigs with little or no antibiotics should consider nutritional strategies that help pigs build more immunity, according to Mike Tokach, PhD.
Veterinarians in best position to be ‘ambassadors’ for antimicrobials in pork production
Nov 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Veterinarians can leverage their credibility to help consumers understand the complexity of the decision-making process for antimicrobials used in pork production.
ASF threat: Three US swine vets share insights from the frontline
Nov 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
The rapid spread of ASF throughout China and other regions of the world has raised concerns the disease will ultimately make its way to the US — a development that could cripple the nation’s pork...
Chimera technology offers better path to protection for PCV2
Nov 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 6: When PCV2 first became a problem in US swine herds, scientists looked at taking the immunogenic capsid gene from PCV2 and cloning it into the backbone of nonpathogenic PCV type...
Flies ‘possible route’ of African swine fever spread
Nov 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Flies that have been in contact with swine infected with African swine fever (ASF) could be responsible for spreading the disease between herds.
Z-CAS helping feed mills, producers get the most from medicated feed additives
Nov 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 6: An interview with Marc Howerton,
Customer Analytical Services Supervisor,
Zoetis
Herd performance best measure of PRRS vaccine efficacy
Nov 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 9: An interview with
Jose Angulo, DVM,
PRRS Specialist,
Managing Veterinarian,
Zoetis
Ileitis: Is it possible to control in baby pigs without antibiotics?
Nov 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ileitis may be a ubiquitous disease in grow-finish pigs, but with changes in on-farm antibiotic use it could become a new, more common challenge in the nursery period.
See it, do it, teach it: Veterinarian offers tips for caregiver training
Nov 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
When you give someone something to read, the expressed competency level is about 10%. When you talk to them on the phone, it’s only 20%. But if that person sees a colleague do something a certain...
FAD expert fields questions of ASF diagnostic preparedness, surveillance and response
Oct 31, 2018Susan Spiegel
Effectively addressing a foreign animal diseases such as African swine fever will take a unified effort between the US pork industry and the local, state and federal government if the deadly virus...
Tackling PRRS: Managing outbreaks to limit damage
Oct 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a virus that can take a significant toll on pig producers due to reproductive losses, decreased performance and damaging secondary infections....
Needles & Sins: Sloppy vaccination protocols can jeopardize herd health, welfare, returns
Oct 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Nick Zanger learned a few tough lessons about vaccine protocols shortly after he started managing three 2,500-head nursery-to-finishing buildings near Loraine, Illinois.
Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
What’s old is new again — or at least that’s what some high-health herds are finding with Streptococcus suis (Strep suis).
Castration rule change a chance for Europe’s producers to get ‘smarter, faster’
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Changes to rules around pig castration in Europe should be viewed as an opportunity to improve welfare and efficiencies rather than a problem producers need to overcome, says a pig health expert.
Quarantine window for feed ingredients may reduce hog disease risk
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Foreign animal diseases (FAD) are top of mind as the ongoing outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in China, Belgium and elsewhere, have raised the stakes to implement new practices designed to...
Processing fluids helping to fine tune diagnostics in swine herds thought to be PRRS-negative
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Collecting aggregate samples of processing fluids during tail docking and castration is proving to be an excellent way to monitor herds for porcine reproductive and respiratory disease (PRRS) virus,...
Monitor growth restrictions to improve long-term piglet success
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Tracking signs of pre-natal growth restriction in piglets could help producers select sows that are likely to have healthier offspring with lower rates of mortality, scientists say.
Seven tips for fine tuning sow feed efficiency
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Want to know what’s really impacting your bottom line? Get down to slat level, says a sow-management specialist. That’s where the less obvious feed-related factors could be stealing your ROI.
Mass vaccination with modified-live PRRSV vaccine has no significant production impact in stable herds
Oct 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mass vaccination with a modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine has no significant negative impact on production performance in PRRSV-stable breeding herds,...
African Swine Fever could cost assorted industries billions of dollars
Oct 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
If the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus enters the United States, the repercussions will be felt throughout the agriculture sector and beyond.
Locking out PDCOV requires attention to biosecurity detail
Oct 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine delta coronavirus (PDCOV) may not be as devastating as its relative, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), but the negative impact on production is motivation enough to work to lock it out...
Five ways to get better returns on your swine-health program
Sep 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pork industry uses a wide variety of vaccinations and medications for managing viral and bacterial diseases. Micah Jansen, DVM, Zoetis, identifies five areas where producers can improve returns...
Good data key to making sound PRRS decisions
Sep 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Implementing metrics and utilizing predictive analytics can help pork producers improve their management of PRRS.
Pavlovic: Today’s PED outbreaks may be mild but still hurt profitability
Sep 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus may not be as devastating to hogs today as it was a few years ago, but it still damages the bottom line, according to Lynn Pavlovic, DVM, Iowa Select Farms.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Enrichment helps reduce sow stress and piglet mortality
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Enriching sow environments during pregnancy can help improve sow welfare and increase piglet survival, scientists say.
Improving welfare leads to higher herd performance
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Measures to improve animal welfare on hog farms can improve — rather than jeopardize — economic performance of herds, scientists have discovered.
3D cameras help limit tail biting in pigs
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
A high-tech system which uses 3D cameras to spot tail movements in pigs could soon help farmers identify the early signs of tail biting, scientists in the UK have discovered.
13 tips for rearing healthier, more profitable pigs with fewer antibiotics
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Controlling and limiting the amount of antibiotics on a farm doesn’t have to be to the detriment of a herd’s overall health — and can, in fact, lead to a more profitable and sustainable...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Dee: Research shows potential for FAD transmission through some imported feed ingredients
Sep 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
A big step in preventing transmission of foreign animal diseases (FAD) through feed is to reduce virus-survival rates in the feed, explained Scott Dee, DVM, PhD, director of research, Pipestone...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Connor: Managing mycoplasma requires integrated approach with vaccines, feed medications, injectables
Sep 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mycoplasma pneumonia continues to trouble the swine industry. Around for years, the respiratory disease caused by the bacterium M. hyo reduces pig performance, especially when mixed with other...
Dee: African swine fever outbreak in China major threat to US pork
Sep 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
News that China broke with African swine fever generated great concern for many in the US swine industry, including Scott Dee, DVM, Pipestone Veterinary Services.
Dipsticks offer early warning of sow urinary-tract infections
Sep 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
Minimizing urinary-tract infections is an important step — not only in securing a sow’s overall health but also its productivity and, ultimately, its longevity.
Tips for proper selection of cleaning, disinfection products
Aug 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Neal Benjamin, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Carthage, Illinois
‘Immune-mediated protection’ key to managing Group C rotavirus
Aug 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
Rotavirus is not a new disease facing the swine industry, but it’s also not going away. There are various groups of rotaviruses that impact piglets differently.
Non-thermal plasma reactors can inactivate PRRSV
Aug 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
Hog-farm biosecurity measures have largely focused on minimizing the transmission of infectious agents on various surfaces. However, it’s been shown that PRRSV — and possibly other respiratory...
Close to the finish: How grower pigs spread PRRS to sow farms
Aug 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
It’s time to consider the role finishing pigs play in the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to sow farms, according to Montserrat Torremorell, DVM, PhD,...
‘We’ve almost forgotten that boars just perform better’
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ever since Larry Rueff, DVM, a swine veterinarian from Greensburg, IN, stopped physically castrating some of his pigs 4 years ago, and started using a protein compound that works like an immunization...
‘Nuts n’ tails’ fluid testing is promising, practical method of PRRSV monitoring
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
Testing fluids obtained from routine castration and tail-docking procedures looks to be a promising, practical and affordable way to improve monitoring for PRRSV.
Feed duration biggest issue under new swine VFD rule
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
More than a year into FDA’s new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules, pork producers and veterinarians are finding the potential problem spots.
Epitope-comparison study illustrates broad coverage of Fostera Gold® PCV MH against PCV2 viruses
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 4: Swine disease specialists speculated that a PCV2 vaccine containing two genotypes — PCV2a and PCV2b — would significantly improve the coverage provided against PCV2...
Employee training improves piglet-survival rates
Aug 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
An employee-training program focused on online training followed by tracked, in-barn verification experiences helped a start-up farm achieve top piglet-survival rates, according to a study.
PCV3: A challenge independent from PCV2
Aug 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Anyone involved in raising pigs is aware of PCV2, but new on the scene is porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3). Although the two viruses are both circular DNA viruses in the same family, they are...
Tips for successful oral-fluid sampling for PRRSV
Aug 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Oral-fluid sampling is an easy way to detect PRRSV or track changes in PRRSV infections in populations — and it can optimize your survey efforts by keeping a few simple tips in mind.
What’s in season? How swine veterinarians are managing seasonal spikes in bacterial disease in the new VFD era
Aug 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Seasonal changes traditionally bring fickle weather, dramatic swings in day-night temperatures and, of course, flare-ups of respiratory and enteric disease in swine herds. But how does the VFD era...
Building a better understanding of biosecurity and PRRS risks
Aug 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
At the center of any biosecurity program is the goal of preventing pathogens or diseases from entering and infecting a swine herd. Perhaps no disease has challenged producers and veterinarians as...
Scientists genetically engineer PRRS-resistant pigs
Jul 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Scientists in Scotland have discovered a way to genetically engineer pigs to be resistant to one of the mostly costly livestock diseases in the world.
Maximizing housing rates has no welfare impact, scientists find
Jul 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Housing pigs at Europe’s maximum stocking rates has no impact on their welfare or performance, scientists in the UK have discovered.
Modified-live vaccines ‘by far’ most effective tool for combatting PRRS
Jul 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Modified-live vaccines are “by far” the most effective tool the industry currently has to control PRRSV, said Jay Calvert, PhD, research director, Global Biologicals Research, Zoetis.
SHIC PCR catalog boosts US pork industry’s disease preparedness
Jul 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pork producers and swine veterinarians spend a lot of time and energy monitoring the health status of pigs in their care. But it’s the unknown or emerging diseases that could pose an even larger...
PCR falls short in monitoring PRRSV transport biosecurity
Jul 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Transport biosecurity is a growing priority as evidence shows that contaminated livestock trailers are a significant risk in spreading viruses between herds.
Pay more attention to your sow herd’s lifeline
Jul 13, 2018Susan Spiegel
By William R. Fombelle, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD
Carthage, Illinois
2018 Leman Conference features ‘science-based solutions’ for pork production
Jul 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Organized by the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the annual 4-day Allen D. Leman Swine Conference offers scientific and practical information on a broad range of swine...
Don’t get complacent with evolving PCV2 virus
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Vaccines for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) currently do an adequate job of cross protecting against new genotypes of the virus, but swine veterinarians and producers shouldn’t let their guard...
Immunocastrated pigs eat less, convert more efficiently, so what’s holding them back in the US?
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Imagine a corn field twice the size of Chicago. That’s what the pork industry could potentially save annually if it adopted an alternative to conventional castration. With about 55 million male...
Antibiotic use at weaning can reduce acute illness in pigs
Jul 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
The transition into the nursery phase for just-weaned pigs presents many challenges as they adapt to a new diet, a new environment and increased competition. Young pigs often need some extra help.
Tailored biosecurity key to good herd health and profitability
Jul 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Tailoring biosecurity strategies to the location, facility and labor of individual hog farms is key to maintaining herd health and profitability, according to a leading veterinarian.
The big imposter: Senecavirus A prompts frequent false alarms at Minnesota pork plant
Jul 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
Employees at the Hormel pork-processing plant in Austin, Minn., well understand the drill for a foreign animal disease (FAD) investigation.
Denmark to build fence to keep out African swine fever
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
Danish officials have announced plans to build a 44-mile fence on its border with Germany to prevent African swine fever from reaching the country’s pig herd.
Tackling PRRS: Managing outbreaks to limit damage
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
According to a new guide on PRRS management, understanding how to manage the costly disease can help improve pig health and welfare, while increasing productivity.
Measuring success and changing behaviors to reduce antibiotics use on hog farms
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Georgina Crayford, PhD
Senior Policy Advisor
National Pig Association, UK
SPECIAL REPORT: Heat wave shines spotlight on pig stress
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
Each year, heat stress costs US pig farmers about $900 million in revenues - about twice the amount lost to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.
Two tactics to reduce stillborns and improve piglet survival
Jun 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Two midwestern sow operations recently discussed how each achieves high piglet-survival rates by using different techniques to attend farrowing.
PCV2: Future considerations for an evolving virus
Jun 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) may not be a new virus challenge for pork producers and swine veterinarians, but it remains a constant challenge.
Three simple, effective ways to help hogs beat the heat this summer
Jun 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
For many reasons, including historically warmer weather and the fact that sows now produce bigger litters, pigs are more susceptible to heat stress, which could potentially affect their performance...
Adjusting swine feed rations helps ensure weight gains during hot weather
Jun 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
As temperature and humidity levels rise in the summer months, so does the threat of heat stress in the swine herd.
How stress hammers a pig’s intestinal system
Jun 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
Experts say some forms of sustained stress can weaken a pig’s immune system and make it more vulnerable to disease and performance losses.
Heat stress: How much does it drain your pigs and profits?
Jun 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Each year, heat stress costs US pig farmers about $900 million in revenues — about twice the amount lost as a result of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Lessons learned from recent Seneca Valley outbreaks
Jun 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
The Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is proving to be something of a test case for swine producers’ and veterinarians’ preparedness for foreign animal diseases.
Three-phase plan helps seize control of PRRS
Jun 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Jose Angulo, DVM
Managing Veterinarian, PRRS specialist
Pork Technical Services
Zoetis
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from World Pork Expo
Jun 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 World Pork Expo is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage. (Part 3 of 3).
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: News reports and interviews from World Pork Expo
Jun 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 World Pork Expo is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage. (Part 2 of 3).
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: News reports and interviews from World Pork Expo
Jun 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 World Pork Expo is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage. (Part 1 of 3).
Rapid Response Corps poised to investigate transboundary swine disease outbreaks
Jun 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry learned a big lesson after the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak in 2013.
Pig Health Today lines up video interviews with top experts at WPX
Jun 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
At least 30 swine-health experts and trend watchers will be interviewed on camera over the next three days as part of Pig Health Today’s news coverage of the 2018 World Pork Expo.
ALL HEALTH, ALL THE TIME
Jun 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig Health Today, the world’s only news website and magazine focused exclusively on swine health, will mark its first anniversary this week at World Pork Expo.
Gilt acclimatization, reduced shedding keys to curbing downstream M. hyo disease
May 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Paul Yeske, DVM
Swine Vet Center
St. Peter, Minnesota
‘False alarms’ by Seneca Valley virus trigger costly FMD investigations
May 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
A growing number of Seneca Valley virus (SVV) outbreaks wastes the time and money of people who investigate suspected foreign animal-disease outbreaks.
Barn location can impact PRRS exposure risk
May 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Several factors go into selecting a site for a pork-production unit, but research shows there are a couple more — specifically, terrain and vegetation — that may influence exposure to the porcine...
Piglets are key subpopulation in keeping IAV-S circulating
May 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
When it comes to influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S), the relationship between the sow’s immune status and piglet protection remains perplexing.
Yeske: Mycoplasma elimination ‘always a good strategy’
May 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Eliminating mycoplasma from a herd works well with a fast payback, even in hog-dense areas, according to research conducted by Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Early PRRS vaccination helps protect pigs through slaughter
May 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
A new, single-dose vaccine for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has been shown to protect pigs from before weaning to slaughter, helping prevent secondary infections and...
Crossing the line: Biosecurity for employee entry is still a work in progress
May 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM
Associate Professor
Iowa State University
Maximizing colostrum intake at birth improves finishing performance
May 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
The amount of colostrum a piglet consumes during its first 24 hours of life impacts its performance through finishing, according to Jeffery Wiegert, swine specialist, North Carolina State University...
Swine Health Monitoring Project expanding but needs more industry participants
May 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
The Swine Health Monitoring Project continues to expand but ultimately needs data from 90% of the industry to reach its long-term goal of supporting the response to emerging pathogens, said the late...
Special edition of Pig Health Today captures presentations from 2-day PRRS conference
May 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig Health Today has published a free, 32-page special report, “Framing the Future of PRRS,” with news summaries of eight presentations by veterinarians and scientists specializing in porcine...
Retailers setting their sights on pain management in pig production
May 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Although antibiotics and sow housing have remained center stage in recent years, retailers are increasingly putting pressure on producers to address pain management as part of their...
Dietary alternatives to antibiotics show mixed results in ISU research review
May 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Given the task to find and review research on dietary alternatives for sub-therapeutic antibiotic growth promotants, Wes Schweer and a team of pork-industry experts didn’t know what to expect.
ESPHM 2018 to focus on global issues in swine health
Apr 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians, researchers and industry leaders from around the world will gather at the European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM), to be held May 9-11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.
Cull sow market breeding ground for disease transmission
Apr 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
Many sows sold into the cull sow market become “frequent travelers” and pose a serious risk of disease transmission if a foreign animal-disease (FAD) outbreak occurs.
Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project underscores value of information sharing
Apr 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Collaboration among veterinarians working with different pork producers is one of the great benefits emanating from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP).
What have we learned about antibiotic-resistant genes in groundwater?
Apr 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
Swine manure is a valuable resource for cropland, but understanding its potential impact on groundwater is an ongoing priority.
Large field trial showed Fostera Gold® PCV MH was effective against prevalent PCV2d genotype
Apr 20, 2018Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 3: A large, commercial field trial conducted with Fostera® Gold PCV MH showed it was also effective against PCV2d, the most prevalent genotype of the virus circulating among US...
What’s driving the surge in sow mortality?
Apr 13, 2018Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality in US herds has trended upward in recent years, and identifying the reasons has frustrated producers and veterinarians alike.
Breeding sows without CD163 gene might ultimately eliminate PRRS virus
Apr 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Sows without the CD163 gene are not only resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, they also give birth to healthy, normal piglets — a finding that could...
Iowa Select veterinarian taking a more targeted approach with antibiotics
Apr 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Iowa Select Farms’ targeted approach to antibiotic use within its production system began well before the FDA’s expanded VFD rule.
IPIC targeting losses from sow mortality
Apr 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Healthy and productive sows help ensure profitable and efficient herds. So, when the sow mortality rate due to pelvic organ prolapse started to increase throughout the industry for no apparent...
PRRSV in finishers may contribute to the disease on sow farms
Apr 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
It’s time to consider the role finishing pigs play in the spread of PRRSV to sow farms.
‘Coopetition’ healthy for pork industry
Apr 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Teaming up to share ideas and troubleshoot swine-health issues can be good for pork producers and the industry, said Joel Nerem, DVM, a swine veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services,...
Semi-annual report indicates progress combatting PRRSV
Apr 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producers and veterinarians have reduced the impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) by more than $83 million over the past 6 years, according to a semi-annual study...
Antibiotic stewardship: What can the pork industry learn from human medicine?
Apr 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
With so much attention being placed on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, animal agriculture can sometimes feel as if it’s the only target. However, human medicine also is getting an...
Batch farrowing offers smaller sow farms improved disease control
Apr 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
Independent sow farms grouped together and using batch farrowing may be able to capture the same health advantages as a 5,000-sow farm with all-in, all-out production.
Our strategy for eliminating M. hyo from breed-to-wean herds
Apr 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Attila Farkas, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Carthage, Illinois
How close are we to having a Strep suis vaccine for pigs?
Mar 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
Although antibiotics provide a treatment option for Streptococcus suis — a common, widespread bacterium in swine — long-term management hinges on an effective vaccine.
The cost of being wrong: Why cost-benefit analyses are replacing guesswork on swine farms
Mar 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM
Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Ames, Iowa
Pigs vaccinated with Fostera®PCV MH equally protected, weighed nearly 8 pounds more in large comparison trial
Mar 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 1: Pigs vaccinated with Fostera® PCV MH were equally protected against porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2d as well as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) and weighed 7.78 pounds more...
More planning required for feed medications in new VFD era
Mar 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Planning, paperwork and prevention are the priorities on hog farms in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD), which came onto the scene in...
7 steps to increasing weaned piglet feed intake
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Adapting feeding management to piglet biology can get piglets eating within hours of weaning and avoid issues with hunger and dehydration, according to a pig nutritionist.
Swift identification key to keeping emerging diseases at bay
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Encouraging farm staff to identify changes in pig behavior and health is key to spotting signs of disease before it takes hold in a herd, according one of Canada’s top pig veterinarians.
Germany calls for wild boar cull over African swine fever threat
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producers in Germany have called for a major cull of the country’s wild boar population in a bid to halt the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Europe.
12 questions to tackle sow mortality
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Identifying the exact nutritional, health and management issues linked to sow mortality is key to understanding how to address the problem in swine herds, according to a pig health expert.
‘Don’t blame antibiotics use on production systems,’ says UK pig sector
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
The UK pig sector has warned campaigners against oversimplifying the link between production systems and antibiotics use.
Is colostrum the ‘golden ticket’ to driving down antibiotic use?
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
UK swine farmers are being urged to recognize the value of giving newborn pigs good-quality colostrum as part of industry efforts to drive down antibiotics use.
The eve of disruption: How changes in retail and consumer trends might affect pork consumption—and production
Mar 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
In this special report, Pig Health Today looks at disruptions in the consumer and retail landscapes and how they could forever change the US pork industry and the way pigs are raised.
Part 1: Vaccine storage and handling
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
A common mistake made with vaccines involves improper handling of the vaccines. From the time the products arrive on the farm until they are used, the vaccines must be properly stored, following...
Part 2: Selecting and training caregivers for effective vaccination
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
A common mistake made with vaccines involves improper handling of the vaccines. From the time the products arrive on the farm until they are used, the vaccines must be properly stored, following...
Part 3: Vaccine training more important as pork industry rethinks antibiotics
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
The new veterinary feed directive rules regarding the use of antibiotics in feed makes the use of vaccinations more important to maintain optimum swine health. If pigs receive proper vaccinations...
Part 4: Training benefits antibiotic programs, too
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
A well-trained caregiver becomes the first line of defense against disease in a hog unit. If they are trained to recognize the first signs of disease in pig units, they can alert management...
Part 5: Feed medications still play an important role in swine health
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Veterinarians know the history of disease that may pop up within different hog systems. Depending on the situation, they may decide that a feed antibiotic is the best route to treat the pigs.
Cull-sow market endangers foreign animal-disease prevention
Mar 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US cull-sow market could threaten containment plans if a foreign animal-disease (FAD) outbreak occurred in the US, according to Jim Lowe, DVM, associate professor at the University of Illinois.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews. for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage (Part...
Pig feed reminder over African Swine Fever concerns
Mar 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
UK pig keepers are being reminded to avoid feeding animals food waste and check their biosecurity measures to help prevent outbreaks of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF).
New Fostera Gold PCV vaccines: Broadest coverage for PCV2 viruses
Mar 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 8: Rick Swalla, DVM, recently talked with editors of Pig Health Today about the pork industry’s first vaccine to include two genotypes of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and the...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage (Part 3...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage (Part 2...
US pork industry’s first vaccine with two PCV2 genotypes announced at AASV
Mar 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry’s first vaccine to include two genotypes of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) — 2a and 2b — was announced on the first day of the American Association of Swine...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2017 coverage (Part 1...
Premier issue of Pig Health Today magazine now available
Mar 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
The premier issue of Pig Health Today magazine is off the press and being mailed to some 10,000 pork producers, swine consultants and opinion leaders in the US. The colorful, 36-page magazine can...
The last word: Our focus is pig health
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Welcome to Pig Health Today, a new magazine we’re sponsoring to keep US producers, veterinarians, nutritionists and other decision makers on top of the latest developments in disease management and...
Product claims = more sales
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Production claims on meat and poultry product labels are generating more sales volume and more dollars, according to a Nielsen survey.
Protein by any other name
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Meat and poultry have dominated the American diet over the years. But the movement toward protein alternatives, particularly plant-based products, is growing.
Make way for meal kits
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
A Nielsen survey reports that 25% of US shoppers purchased meal kits in 2016.
The Amazon factor
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Now that Amazon owns Whole Foods Market, not only will e-commerce grocery shopping proliferate, but the food complex as a whole will change.
E-commerce is changing behaviors
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
E-commerce is a significant part of consumers’ shopping behaviors today, and with 83% of Americans carrying smartphones, it will only grow.
What makes a millennial?
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
As the largest generational class in the US today, the millennials are in the driver’s seat in terms of dictating products, services, trends and outcomes. It is worth noting that a consistent age...
Early weaning permanently compromises gut immune response
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Researchers at Michigan State University investigated how early weaning ages affect development of a piglet’s gut and its ability to launch an immune response against pathogens.
Large-scale trials make case for longer sow lactations
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
The Pipestone System in Minnesota recently conducted at their research facilities two large-scale trials to study the effects of lactation length on sows and growing-pig performance.
Colostrum intake at birth sets up pig for life
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
How much colostrum a piglet consumes on day 1 impacts the pig’s performance for the rest of its life, according to a North Carolina State University study.
Future vaccines rely on other pathways for delivery
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
What developing technologies and products will make vaccine administration and compliance easier in the future?
Pig vaccination 101
Feb 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Employees can make a big difference in herd health by properly administering vaccines. But employees don’t always know the correct protocols and why vaccinations are so important.
Production specialists urged to share insights on no-antibiotics programs, animal welfare
Feb 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Antibiotics are important for maintaining animal health, but their use has come under scrutiny in recent years due to the rise of antibiotic resistance globally.
Antibiotic-free production: What lessons can pork learn from poultry?
Feb 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
A rapid increase in the use of vaccines for respiratory and enteric diseases in swine over the past year will ultimately allow a reduction in antibiotic use, predicted Joe Connor, DVM, swine...
How long do mycoplasma-negative herds stay negative?
Feb 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Most hog farms successfully stamp out mycoplasma pneumonia when they work with their veterinarian to eliminate the disease. The challenge is preventing reinfection.
USDA seeks comments on plans to modernize swine inspection
Feb 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
Spokespersons for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) made the rounds at the 2018 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta to drum up support for proposed rules to...
Healthy, stress-free GI tract is key to pigs’ long-term health
Feb 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
A healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract is inextricably linked to the nervous system and is generally a strong predictor of a pig’s overall health, said a research veterinarian who specializes in...
High-risk viruses survive in feed, threaten US pork
Feb 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
An investigation initiated by the Pipestone System and Scott Dee, DVM, continues to uncover more information about the link between feed ingredients and foreign pathogen movement.
Steps to keep the incidence of stillborns at bay
Feb 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
by Megan Schnur, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Carthage, Illinois
Minimise weaning stress to maximise piglet performance
Jan 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Minimising the amount of stress piglets go through can help limit health issues and growth checks associated with weaning, according to a pig health specialist.
New forms of swine influenza pose tough but manageable challenges
Jan 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
New strains of the swine influenza virus continue to emerge, making it difficult for pork producers to manage, two experts who specialize in the disease of food animals said at a recent webinar...
Pig care, disease prevention are top goals for this vet
Jan 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
In a video produced as part of the Vets on Call series, Dr. Paul Ruen explains that pigs are social creatures who like to be in groups.
