Ileitis: Is it possible to control in baby pigs without antibiotics?
Nov 07, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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...
Needles & Sins: Sloppy vaccination protocols can jeopardize herd health, welfare, returns
Oct 19, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
What’s old is new again — or at least that’s what some high-health herds are finding with Streptococcus suis (Strep suis).
Quarantine window for feed ingredients may reduce hog disease risk
Oct 10, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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,...
Seven tips for fine tuning sow feed efficiency
Oct 09, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Enriching sow environments during pregnancy can help improve sow welfare and increase piglet survival, scientists say.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 17, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Neal Benjamin, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Carthage, Illinois
‘Immune-mediated protection’ key to managing Group C rotavirus
Aug 29, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Testing fluids obtained from routine castration and tail-docking procedures looks to be a promising, practical and affordable way to improve monitoring for PRRSV.
Employee training improves piglet-survival rates
Aug 14, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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...
Training staff to spot sick pigs early leads to higher performance, lower mortality
Aug 03, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Pig health is critical for maintaining animal welfare and ensuring a steady supply of safe and affordable pork.
Building a better understanding of biosecurity and PRRS risks
Aug 01, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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...
Modified-live vaccines ‘by far’ most effective tool for combatting PRRS
Jul 30, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By William R. Fombelle, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD
Carthage, Illinois
2018 Leman Conference features ‘science-based solutions’ for pork production
Jul 12, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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.
The big imposter: Senecavirus A prompts frequent false alarms at Minnesota pork plant
Jul 03, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Employees at the Hormel pork-processing plant in Austin, Minn., well understand the drill for a foreign animal disease (FAD) investigation.
SPECIAL REPORT: Heat wave shines spotlight on pig stress
Jul 02, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
As temperature and humidity levels rise in the summer months, so does the threat of heat stress in the swine herd.
Heat stress: How much does it drain your pigs and profits?
Jun 16, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
The Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is proving to be something of a test case for swine producers’ and veterinarians’ preparedness for foreign animal diseases.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from World Pork Expo
Jun 08, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Paul Yeske, DVM
Swine Vet Center
St. Peter, Minnesota
‘False alarms’ by Seneca Valley virus trigger costly FMD investigations
May 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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.
Crossing the line: Biosecurity for employee entry is still a work in progress
May 14, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM
Associate Professor
Iowa State University
Maximizing colostrum intake at birth improves finishing performance
May 07, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Swine manure is a valuable resource for cropland, but understanding its potential impact on groundwater is an ongoing priority.
What’s driving the surge in sow mortality?
Apr 13, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Attila Farkas, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Carthage, Illinois
How close are we to having a Strep suis vaccine for pigs?
Mar 26, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM
Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Ames, Iowa
More planning required for feed medications in new VFD era
Mar 19, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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.
The eve of disruption: How changes in retail and consumer trends might affect pork consumption—and production
Mar 15, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 05, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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...
Product claims = more sales
Feb 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Production claims on meat and poultry product labels are generating more sales volume and more dollars, according to a Nielsen survey.
Make way for meal kits
Feb 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
A Nielsen survey reports that 25% of US shoppers purchased meal kits in 2016.
The Amazon factor
Feb 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
What developing technologies and products will make vaccine administration and compliance easier in the future?
Pig vaccination 101
Feb 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
by Megan Schnur, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Carthage, Illinois
New forms of swine influenza pose tough but manageable challenges
Jan 25, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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, 2018Jennifer Grullon
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.
Individual pig care offers path to better health, uniformity
Jan 22, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Making pig uniformity part of the management strategy from birth can maximize profitability throughout the growth cycle.
Pork producers need to proactively communicate with consumers to change the dialogue
Jan 15, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Pork producers and swine veterinarians need to take a more active role in consumers’ food conversations for them to get an accurate picture of how pigs are raised, said Tamika Sims, PhD, director...
In-feed antibiotics best addressed on a case-by-case basis
Jan 15, 2018Jennifer Grullon
Adjusting to changes in how and when to use in-feed antibiotics is an ongoing effort. While those products are still available under veterinarian supervision for prevention and treatment of a...
Genetic diversity, changing clinical picture make IAV-S detection challenging
Jan 04, 2018Jennifer Grullon
By Phillip Gauger, DVM, MS, PhD Associate Professor Iowa State University Influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S) remains among the top health challenges facing the US swine industry and, worse...
Food-chain specialist: Communicate the emotional side of pork production, not the technical
Jan 01, 2018Jennifer Grullon
The food supply chain has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. “It’s so much more complex and consumer driven,” said Justin Ransom, supply chain strategist. “Today’s consumer can ask...
Balancing good and bad bacteria key to effective gut health, nutrient absorption
Dec 28, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Developing techniques and tools to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut is key to producing healthier pigs that require fewer antibiotics over the long term, according to swine...
Boar stud requires high health status, zero tolerance for biosecurity errors
Dec 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A boar stud producing semen for thousands of sows needs to maintain excellent health with the highest level of biosecurity possible.
Pig Health Today launches mobile app
Dec 11, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Pig Health Today, the world’s only news website focused entirely on swine health, welfare and sustainability, has partnered with sponsor Zoetis to launch a mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Pork producers gain ground against PRRS with reduced production losses
Dec 08, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains one of the most costly viruses infecting US herds. But an Iowa State University study showed the annual cost of PRRS dropped nearly $100...
Pig care: If there’s something off, don’t try to ‘look him well’
Dec 07, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Watching pigs may not be glamorous or stimulating, but it’s a responsibility that Bob Blomme, DVM, takes very seriously.
Practicing precision animal health
Dec 05, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Ross Kiehne, DVM, practices what he calls “precision animal health.” “I’m only going to provide the vaccine or antibiotic that’s right for the pig at that time in its life to make it as...
SPECIAL REPORT: ‘Tis the season for PED virus
Nov 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
No one is ready to call it a holiday tradition, but winter is prime time for outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. For this Special Report, Pig Health Today talked with experts about how the...
Yeske: Provide better pig care — one animal at a time
Nov 26, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Taking time to walk the pens, make eye contact with each pig and pull the sick ones for individual care seems to conflict with inherent efficiencies associated with population medicine.
Secure Pork Supply plan: Beginning steps to safeguard your herd
Nov 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
According to an Iowa State University study, the potential revenue losses to US pork and beef industries from an FMD outbreak would run $12.8 billion annually with associated losses to corn and...
Urine sampling can reliably detect penicillin residues in sows
Nov 15, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Urine sampling is a reliable way to detect procaine penicillin G (PPG) residues prior to processing and may help producers avoid processing-plant violations, according to Locke A. Karriker, DVM, a...
Getting pigs off to a good start with better gut health
Nov 06, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Improved education of caretakers is one way pork producers can help ensure their pigs have a healthy gut and get off to a good start, Noel Garbes, DVM, technical services veterinarian, Zoetis, told...
Accurate Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae diagnosis challenging but essential
Oct 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The diagnosis of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) infection remains challenging but can be made with confidence when a systematic approach is applied and the clinical picture aligns with laboratory...
SHIC matrix weighs the impact of emerging swine diseases
Oct 25, 2017Jennifer Grullon
As porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and Seneca Valley virus surfaced within the US swine herd in recent years, it underscored the threat posed by emerging and foreign animal diseases.
What PED taught us about handling future disease outbreaks
Oct 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreak that devastated many US hog farms over the past 4 years served as a wake-up call for the pork industry to be more vigilant against foreign animal...
How 50 swine vets plan to manage seasonal respiratory disease in the new VFD era
Oct 16, 2017Jennifer Grullon
For as long as any pork producer can remember, fall’s arrival traditionally was a signal to add a respiratory antibiotic to the grower-finisher rations or, at the very least, pulse feed a...
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: Elimination or control?
Oct 13, 2017Jennifer Grullon
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
What you need to know about CSI auditors
Oct 12, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Anyone who owns hogs or hog buildings should expect a visit someday by an auditor who will conduct an animal-welfare and food-safety audit. Usually a packer or processor requests the audit, which is...
Virtual clinic drives better understanding of disease outbreaks
Oct 12, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A virtual veterinary clinic that monitors pig-disease trends and provides an early alert system for diagnostic laboratories and swine practitioners is helping the US pork industry stay head of...
Urine-sampling options make it easier to evaluate gilt and sow health
Sep 26, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Urine samples are an effective but underutilized diagnostic tool for evaluating the nutritional, physiological and health status of gilts and sows.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: ‘Fix the gilts, fix Mycoplasma’
Sep 25, 2017Jennifer Grullon
There’s a lot we think we know about M. hyo under field conditions, but there’s a paucity of peer-reviewed literature to support much of the conventional wisdom we swine veterinarians apply to...
Taking oral-fluid samples for PRRS: How many and when?
Sep 18, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Oral-fluid sampling can provide a simple, reliable way to surveil for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Marisa Rotolo, DVM, of Iowa State University, reported at the 2017...
Scientists aim to breed out sow aggression
Aug 25, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Scientists at Michigan State University (MSU) are hoping to help pig producers improve herd welfare thanks to a $1 million project aimed at finding ways to breed out sow aggression.
More than 900 swine-health professionals from 20 countries expected at 2017 Leman conference
Aug 18, 2017Jennifer Grullon
More than 900 swine veterinarians, producers and industry leaders from at least 20 countries will attend the annual Allen D. Leman Swine Conference...
Currently available vaccines important tools for managing PEDV-infected sow herds
Aug 18, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Currently available vaccines can be important tools for managing sow herds endemically infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV).
Biosecurity must-haves for swine veterinarians
Aug 14, 2017Jennifer Grullon
No one wants to introduce a harmful pathogen into a herd, but the reality is the more pig exposure that a person has, the riskier that visitor becomes, even if he or she is a veterinarian.
PEDV and other pathogens survive in feed for weeks
Aug 14, 2017Jennifer Grullon
In 2013-2014, infection of pig farms with PEDV was a frequent event, even in farms using the highest level of biosecurity. In an effort to determine how this could happen, Scott Dee, DVM, began...
Gut bacteria deserve renewed focus
Aug 10, 2017Jennifer Grullon
With the FDA’s new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules changing the way some feed-grade antimicrobials are used on the farm, other options are gaining more attention.
What’s the best PRRS strategy for your herd?
Aug 07, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Every year, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infects an estimated 25% to 45% of sow herds in the US, according to Clayton Johnson, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Clinic, Carthage,...
Understanding swine flu’s diversity key to better control programs
Aug 03, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The number of swine influenza cases as well as the diversity of circulating flu viruses have increased in the past several years, based on experience at Iowa State’s Veterinary Diagnostic...
Survey identifies gaps in employee biosecurity practices
Aug 03, 2017Jennifer Grullon
For biosecurity to be effective, everyone working within the farm needs to understand and comply with the defined protocols. In reality, a person’s attitude can make or break the outcome, so it’s...
Want better biosecurity? Start with your pig trailers
Jul 27, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Improving transportation biosecurity may be the last frontier the swine industry needs to conquer to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. According to Butch Baker, DVM, the spread of...
Feed biosecurity must address risk of PEDV transmission
Jul 24, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The biosecurity of swine feed is important for producing healthy animals and safe pork. But until 2013, feed was considered a low-risk vehicle for transmitting viral pathogens to swine.
IAV-S elimination in breed-to-wean herds is challenging — but possible
Jul 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S) continues to present an ever-changing health challenge in breed-to-wean populations.
Heat stress: It’s not just for market hogs
Jul 12, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Losses due to heat stress are commonly associated with market hogs, particularly during transportation in the hot, humid summer months, but recent research shows that weaners and feeder pigs are...
Solve biosecurity overload by focusing on the basics
Jun 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Keeping a hog farm free of pathogens can be a daunting task for producers. The process to evaluate potential risks and then undertake biosecurity measures to manage the risks has become complex. In...
Can soluble dietary fiber reduce the need for antimicrobials in nursery diets?
Jun 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Increased soluble fiber in pig diets shows promise as an alternative for growth-promoting antimicrobials in nursery diets, according to Eric Burrough, DVM, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Iowa State...
Prevent the spread of disease by properly cleaning water lines
Jun 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
One of the most basic — yet often overlooked — elements of pork production is water. A clean, safe palatable water supply ensures adequate hydration, encourages feed consumption and helps prevent...
Reproductive performance linked to live-weight and back-fat gains
Jun 21, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Paying closer attention to both sow live weight and back-fat depth could help farmers improve reproductive performance in breeding herds, scientists report.
Keep opportunistic bacterial challenges in pigs at bay
Jun 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Bacterial challenges facing pigs can be traced back to other shortfalls that weaken their immune system.
Want consumers’ trust? Plan to show the good, the bad and the ugly
Jun 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
New research shows when it comes to earning consumer trust on production practices, producers of pork and other foods will find that demonstrating “shared values” is three to five times more...
Routes of Senecavirus A transmission identified in breeding herds
Jun 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A study of the way swine breeding herds were likely infected with Senecavirus A (SVA) underscores the importance of encouraging adherence to biosecurity procedures.
Sow parity has no effect on incidence and timing of influenza in piglets
Jun 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Sow parity appears to have no effect on the incidence and timing of influenza infection in piglets, indicates a study presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Association of Swine...
Colostrum may be best sample for PCV2 on sow farms
Jun 20, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Colostrum may be the best sample to test for determining whether porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is present in sow herds, according to researchers at Iowa State University (ISU).
Hanor swine vet: Food animals deserve the same care and treatment as pets
Jun 16, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Pigs are “very cool” animals — they’re all curious and very friendly from the time they’re baby pigs to sows and boars, explains Tara Donovan, DVM, company veterinarian for Hanor Company.
Formula sheds light on disease risk
Jun 10, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Understanding the transmission route of a disease pathogen, how long it’s infective, its survivability in the environment and routes of infection all build the foundation for creating effective...
Secure Pork Supply plan seeks to minimize disruption from foreign animal diseases
Jun 08, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The National Pork Board, with major support from USDA, is creating a Secure Pork Supply plan to help America’s pig farmers respond quickly and successfully to a major threat, such as a foreign...
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PEDV outbreaks prompt a ‘CSI Pipestone’ investigation
Jun 08, 2017Jennifer Grullon
When PEDV devastated the US hog industry in 2013, the Pipestone System remained fairly unscathed, with only a couple of farms experiencing outbreaks. Their luck changed in January 2014.
Pig Health Today website now online, offering ‘all health, all the time’
Jun 06, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Pig Health Today, a new website focused solely on news and information related to swine health, was launched today to help the US and global pork industries stay on top of the latest on disease...
Fine-tune ventilation, evaporation to combat heat stress in pigs
Jun 06, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Without the ability to sweat, pigs must rely on conduction, convection, radiation, and respiration/evaporation to remove body heat. Forcing air across a wet pig — the process of convection and...
M. hyo: Control or elimination?
Jun 05, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Effective control of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) has to start in the breeding herd to prevent problems with the disease in finishers, according to Lucina Galina, DVM, director of technical...
Disease-prevention considerations for people and supplies
Jun 05, 2017Jennifer Grullon
“The success of any biosecurity program rests with compliance,” said Anna Romagosa, DVM, with PIC Europe.
Updated PRRS research book now available online
Jun 03, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A new guide on managing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is now available online from the National Pork Board.
Iowa veterinarian sees benefits to early PRRS vaccination
May 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
It takes 3 to 4 weeks for pigs to develop immunity against PRRSV after vaccination with a modified-live vaccine, so vaccinating early gives them the time they need to develop immunity by nursery age,...
Opportunistic pathogens prey on newly weaned pigs infected with a primary virus
May 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Around 50% of pigs weaned today likely are infected with a primary viral pathogen, like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) or swine influenza, reported Cameron Schmitt, DVM,...
Flushing feed mill with treated rice hulls reduces PEDV risk
May 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) taught swine veterinarians and producers many hard lessons about feed management. Not only can the deadly virus be transported by feed ingredients, PEDV...
Positive-pressure ventilation makes a comeback to reduce PRRS transmissions
May 30, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Producers looking for ways to reduce porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) find positive-pressure ventilation with some modifications works, especially in older building, according to...
Unloading docks at processing plants appear to be source of PRRSV
May 26, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Unloading docks at processing plants may be one way that livestock trailers become contaminated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV).
Effective biosecurity requires multiple layers
May 22, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Most hog farms have some level of biosecurity in place today, but simply outlining protocols doesn’t mean they’re effective.
Disinfectant effective against PEDV in freezing conditions
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Contaminated hog trailers are now known to be partially responsible for spreading the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in 2013 as it emerged in the US.
Oropharyngeal swabs offer alternative for PRRSV diagnosis in wean-age pigs
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Taking oropharyngeal swabs — that is, samples from the tonsils — appears to be an effective alternative means for detecting PRRSV in wean-age pigs, especially when the prevalence of infection is...
Proposed classification system to improve M. hyo control tested in commercial setting
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
By Lucina Galina Pantoja, DVM, PhD, Director, swine technical services, Zoetis
Three-step approach for spotting sick sows
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A three-pronged approach to observing sows can help identify illness, lower mortality and increase productivity, according to a leading vet.
Monitoring breeding productivity helps limit disease impact
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Taking a systematic approach to identifying changes in breeding productivity could help limit the economic impact of infectious disease, according to scientists.
Act now to find alternatives to antibiotics, producers told
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
US hog farmers should take a hard look at their production practices if they are to maintain herd health and manage illness in the face of tougher antibiotics rules, a veterinarian urges.
Understanding animal behavior helps ensure better piglet care
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Watching 21-day old piglets that just left their mothers being placed in a nursery barn takes a special “sixth” sense to understand what they’re feeling.
Technology, veterinary care helping to improve pig health, production on Illinois swine farm
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Ness farm pigs get dessert before dinner. The Ness’ production system uses a liquid byproduct from an ice cream manufacturer to supply fat and energy to their pigs’ diet.
Swine vet: Factory-farm concept ‘couldn’t be further from the truth’
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Today the term factory farm is used very widely, and most people think machines are making pigs, notes Seth Krantz, DVM, company veterinarian for Tosh Farms.
Losing family swine herd to disease turned this farmhand into a veterinarian
May 19, 2017Jennifer Grullon
As a child, when the swine disease pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s disease) forced his father to sell all the family’s pigs and start over, Andrew Bents got the calling to become a swine veterinarian.
Commonly used disinfectants can vary widely in efficacy
May 18, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Commonly used disinfectants can have substantially different efficacy and should be tested against the pathogen of concern — and under the conditions of use — before they’re used on swine...
Snout wipes shown to be practical, efficient method for detecting swine influenza A
May 18, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Snout wipes are a practical and efficient method of detecting influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S), according to a study presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Association of Swine...
Piglet pain control during castration still needs answers
May 17, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Castrating male piglets to prevent boar taint at market age is a common occurrence on US hog farms. However, as consumer interest in on-farm practices and animal welfare grows, producers will need...
Demonstration farm helping pork industry see benefits of pig-castration alternative
May 15, 2017Jennifer Grullon
A group of 250 intact male piglets arrives at the demonstration farm ready to be the face of a new type of pork production.
Changing gut bacteria could boost herd productivity
May 08, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Making use of unconventional feeds to alter the bacteria living in pig guts could make herds more productive and less likely to need antibiotics, scientists report. Rosie Nold, associate professor at...
Using diagnostics to optimize PCV2 vaccination
May 02, 2017Jennifer Grullon
By Don McDermid, DVM, Swine Veterinary Services Manager, Zoetis,
Kirkland, Quebec, Canada
It’s cold outside. Have you PRRS-proofed your herds?
May 02, 2017Jennifer Grullon
Cold weather means closer confinement and a greater risk of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). A leading PRRS expert recommends ways to keep this common and costly disease...
Boar-taint vaccination associated with less male aggression in Australian study
Dec 15, 2016Jennifer Grullon
Boar-taint vaccination improved the welfare of male pigs kept under commercial conditions by inhibiting sexual and aggressive behavior, according to new research from Australia.
Benefits of castration alternative presented at global pig-health event
Sep 13, 2016Jennifer Grullon
Two world-renowned experts discussed the economic and welfare benefits of using a novel castration alternative at the 2016 International Pig Veterinary Society conference in Dublin.
