COVID-19 lesson for hog farms: Tighten up basic biosecurity
Sep 23, 2020Susan Spiegel
The COVID-19 outbreak reinforces what veterinarians and pork producers already know — biosecurity protocols control disease.
Clayton Johnson receives Leman Science in Practice award
Sep 22, 2020Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarian Clayton Johnson, DVM, has been awarded the 2020 Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award.
Veterinarians answer questions on influenza
Sep 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
With influenza A virus (IAV-S) in swine continuing to cause performance losses on US pig farms, veterinarians have taken up the mantle to find solutions.
Can the processing-fluid toolbox expand beyond PRRS?
Sep 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Piglet processing fluids have been shown to be a practical, time-efficient and affordable diagnostic tool for PRRS, and some indications suggest that PCV2 offers promise as well.
Tracheal sampling for M. hyo may hold new benefits
Sep 09, 2020Susan Spiegel
Tracheal sampling is a good way to determine if M. hyo is present in a herd, but it’s an invasive procedure that can be difficult to accomplish.
Time to invest in market-transport biosecurity
Sep 02, 2020Susan Spiegel
Grow-finish farms are the last segment of hog production to enact strict biosecurity protocols. That needs to change, reports Mike Eisenmenger, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
Take a process-driven approach to influenza control
Aug 31, 2020Susan Spiegel
US pork producers should strive to produce influenza-negative pigs if they want to see the benefits of increased productivity, reduced secondary infections and antibiotic use, reduced influenza...
Committing time, attention to pig’s first 24 hours key to health, uniformity
Aug 29, 2020Susan 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.
COVID-19 impact on swine industry headlines 2020 virtual Leman Conference
Aug 21, 2020Susan Spiegel
COVID-19’s global-altering tentacles reached the 2020 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference scheduled Sept. 19-22. This year’s conference will be held virtually.
Veterinarians serve as biosecurity champions
Aug 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Taking care of sick animals is no fun for anybody. For that reason, and so many more, biosecurity is a high priority for Clayton Johnson, DVM, with Carthage Veterinary Service headquartered in...
Emerging Diseases, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Researchers ‘look beyond the normal’ to identify emerging disease
Aug 11, 2020Susan Spiegel
The first case of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Strep. zoo) was identified in the US pig population last fall, and it’s not an organism to be taken lightly.
New approaches to influenza control look promising
Aug 11, 2020Susan Spiegel
Influenza-A virus of swine (IAV-S) is a thorn in the side of US pork producers, and it’s a difficult thorn to remove. If the virus were more pathogenic, veterinarians and producers would probably...
‘Controlled colonization’ builds immune response to bacterial pathogens
Aug 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis continue to cause major issues for growing and adult pigs. Dr. Brad Leuwerke offers some good solutions.
FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Addressing ‘unknown factors’ in sow mortality
Aug 01, 2020Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality has been on the rise in the US pork industry, reaching upwards of 15% in many sow-production systems, said Ashley Johnson, DVM, technical services veterinarian with Zoetis.
Rate of PCV2 recombination not widely recognized
Jul 29, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 16: An interview with Meggan Bandrick, DVM, PhD Associate Director, Global Biologics Research, Zoetis
African Swine Fever, Emerging Diseases, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Research, TOP NEWS, Videos
Feed mitigants offer positive production and virus protection results
Jul 23, 2020Susan Spiegel
For the past 18 months Scott Dee, DVM, director of research at Pipestone Veterinary Services, has been investigating whether feed mitigants can protect against the transmission of certain swine...
African Swine Fever, Emerging Diseases, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Swine Health Information Center: Preparing for emerging diseases
Jul 17, 2020Susan Spiegel
Whether the issue is an emerging disease such as porcine epidemic diarrhea or the threat of African swine fever, being prepared is key to minimizing the potential impact on the US swine herd and...
Veterinarians, mind your mental health
Jul 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Veterinarians deal with stress under the best circumstances. But in this time of difficult decisions for pork producers and those who service them due to COVID-19, maintaining mental health is even...
Tools for managing pigs without antibiotics
Jul 09, 2020Susan Spiegel
Raising pigs without antibiotics requires extra management and different tools compared to traditional commercial hog production.
Maintaining welfare standards in the face of a pandemic
Jul 02, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Resurgent Mycoplasma hyorhinis causes debilitating arthritis in late finishing
Jun 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
Infectious arthritis caused by Mycoplasma hyorhinis is gaining ground in hog units where it infects neonatal pigs and develops into severe lameness in market hogs.
Breeding Herd, Diagnostics, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Research, SVC, TOP NEWS
Pen-side diagnostic comparisons for nursed-off sows and fallback pigs
Jun 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
For both the sow and piglet, an animal that does not perform to its potential or falls behind its counterparts will negatively impact the sow farm’s productivity and profitability.
Vaccine trial data versus lineage: What’s the best way to predict PRRS vaccine performance?
Jun 24, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 20: An interview with Eva Jablonski, DVM, PRRS Specialist, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
Antimicrobial resistance causing few clinical problems in swine
Jun 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Clinical problems in swine due to antimicrobial-resistant infections are rare. In fact, patterns of resistance in swine have been stable for a long time.
Cutting your losses: When to treat and when to euthanize
Jun 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
More accurate gilt testing needed to detect Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Jun 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Sow herds seeking negative M. hyo status should use accurate gilt surveillance methods.
Managing pig flows when harvest capacity is restricted
Jun 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd
Comparing diagnostic sampling prospects from M. hyo-positive-source boar studs
Jun 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Many sow farms have undergone M. hyo elimination within their breeding herd, which makes it critical to understand the potential transmission risk from boar studs.
Managing MLV PRRS vaccines for optimum performance and returns
May 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Minimal evidence of antibiotic resistance in swine
Apr 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Data indicate minimal resistant infections in swine, but that will not deter efforts to maximize preventive care and minimize the need for antibiotics.
German researchers: Pigs, poultry not susceptible to COVID-19
Apr 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Scientists in Germany have confirmed that pigs and chickens are not susceptible to COVID-19.
Chronic PED cases linger, setting the stage for elimination
Apr 04, 2020Susan Spiegel
The wild run of porcine epidemic diarrhea striking the pork industry in 2013 has slowed substantially, but chronic versions continue to plague some farms.
Grow-finish mortalities require fast action followed by prevention plan
Mar 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
Nothing grabs the attention of a grow-finish unit and its veterinarian faster than an uptick in mortalities.
Lessons from the barn: Avoiding gremlins
Mar 11, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS,
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.,
Carthage, Illinois
Prepare for African swine fever outbreak with Secure Pork Supply plan
Mar 02, 2020Susan Spiegel
A growing threat of African swine fever (ASF) has convinced US pork producers to prepare for the worst with a Secure Pork Supply plan.
Biosecurity, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Moving biosecurity from the farm to the feed mill
Feb 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
An effective biosecurity strategy is not a stagnant process. It is continuously influenced by changes in pig-flows, disease pressures, virus evolution, emerging health issues and more.
Do’s and don’ts of cephalosporin use in swine
Feb 26, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 15: An interview with John W. Hallberg, DVM, PhD, Director, US Regulatory Affairs, Zoetis
FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Ellis: No magic bullet to reduce pre-wean mortality
Feb 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
Pre-wean mortality has increased over the last 15 years, and it’s a major concern for US pork producers and veterinarians.
FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, PRRS, Research, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Outmaneuvering PRRSV requires a better understanding of genetic diversity
Feb 14, 2020Susan Spiegel
PRRSV is constantly evolving, resulting in an extremely diverse virus with multiple lineages, but building a better understanding of that genetic diversity is the next step to making real progress...
Connor: Disease elimination can lower the cost of production
Feb 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
US producers have robust export markets and a lower cost of production than many other countries, but Joe Connor, DVM, says cost of production could be even lower.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
Feb 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Pre-wean mortality continues to be a challenge to producers across the industry as genetic improvements allow sows to be more prolific and achieve higher total born.
Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
Jan 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Litter sizes on US hog farms have steadily increased, but that’s a good-news/bad-news development as those large litters often come at a price, which is more low-birthweight piglets.
Comprehensive, data-driven approach to lower wean-finish mortality
Dec 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Identifying the source of wean-to-finish mortality can be a challenge, since factors affecting that stage of production may have originated earlier — on the sow farm, in the farrowing barn or at...
No. 1 biosecurity lesson: Never stop improving
Dec 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
The first lesson of biosecurity, according to Andrea Pitkin, DVM, health assurance veterinarian for PIC, is to learn, modify and adapt because new threats can surface at any time.
The Maschhoffs combine technology and coaching to build a biosecurity culture
Dec 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity on hog farms is serious business, and it’s no secret that success hinges on how well protocols are carried out. For years, emphasis has been on building a “biosecurity culture,” and...
Biosecurity, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, TOP NEWS, Videos
Fogging helps establish Day 0 for M. hyo elimination
Nov 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
Maintaining a healthy herd takes time, energy and constant emphasis on biosecurity, Amy Maschhoff, DVM, told Pig Health Today.
Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Researchers tackle survivability issues head-on
Nov 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
One in three pigs born on US farms fail to reach market, according to Jason Ross, PhD, a professor of animal physiology at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Mycoplasma elimination possible, but more difficult on farrow-to-finish sites
Nov 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
With the right program in place, eliminating mycoplasma pneumonia is possible on many hog farms.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Sow pads show promise for reducing shoulder sores, related infections
Nov 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
During farrowing and lactation, sows can easily develop shoulder sores, which in turn become infected. Could a little padding help?
Biosecurity: A practical approach
Oct 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.. Carthage, Illinois
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...
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...
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.
Debriefing: Retrospective on the VFD experience
Aug 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
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...
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.
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.
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...
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...
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?
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...
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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,...
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.
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...
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
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
Five steps to better Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae control
Oct 17, 2018PGT Editor
For pig producers and veterinarians, the health and economic impact of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is clear. In the US, enzootic pneumonia caused by M. hyo is considered one of the “big three”...
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.
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.
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...
Tips for proper selection of cleaning, disinfection products
Aug 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Neal Benjamin, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Carthage, Illinois
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
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
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...
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.
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...
‘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,...
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
Individual pig care offers path to better health, uniformity
Jan 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
Making pig uniformity part of the management strategy from birth can maximize profitability throughout the growth cycle.
In-feed antibiotics best addressed on a case-by-case basis
Jan 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
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, 2018Susan Spiegel
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...
Balancing good and bad bacteria key to effective gut health, nutrient absorption
Dec 28, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Pig Health Today launches mobile app
Dec 11, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Pig care: If there’s something off, don’t try to ‘look him well’
Dec 07, 2017Susan Spiegel
Watching pigs may not be glamorous or stimulating, but it’s a responsibility that Bob Blomme, DVM, takes very seriously.
SPECIAL REPORT: ‘Tis the season for PED virus
Nov 30, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Urine sampling can reliably detect penicillin residues in sows
Nov 15, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Why PRRS elimination doesn’t work in some herds
Oct 25, 2017Susan Spiegel
Amber Stricker, DVM, discusses reasons why successful PRRS elimination isn’t always achieved in some herds.
What PED taught us about handling future disease outbreaks
Oct 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Greenway: ‘Don’t be afraid to engage’ consumers on antibiotics, welfare
Sep 28, 2017Susan Spiegel
Pork producers should find more ways to engage with consumers and share their stories about responsible antibiotic use and welfare, says Brad Greenway, America’s Pig Farmer of the Year in 2016.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: ‘Fix the gilts, fix Mycoplasma’
Sep 25, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Anti-GnRH vaccine prevents unwanted pregnancies in Iberian gilts
Aug 21, 2017Susan Spiegel
A vaccine that temporarily delays puberty in gilts may help Iberian pork producers avoid unwanted pregnancies in free-range herds.
Currently available vaccines important tools for managing PEDV-infected sow herds
Aug 18, 2017Susan Spiegel
Currently available vaccines can be important tools for managing sow herds endemically infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV).
What’s the best PRRS strategy for your herd?
Aug 07, 2017Susan Spiegel
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,...
Want better biosecurity? Start with your pig trailers
Jul 27, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
Influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S) continues to present an ever-changing health challenge in breed-to-wean populations.
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PEDV outbreaks prompt a ‘CSI Pipestone’ investigation
Jun 08, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Fine-tune ventilation, evaporation to combat heat stress in pigs
Jun 06, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Updated PRRS research book now available online
Jun 03, 2017Susan Spiegel
A new guide on managing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is now available online from the National Pork Board.
Unloading docks at processing plants appear to be source of PRRSV
May 26, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
Most hog farms have some level of biosecurity in place today, but simply outlining protocols doesn’t mean they’re effective.
