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.
PRRSV-1 modified-live virus vaccine cross-protects against three major PRRSV subtypes prevalent in Europe
Sep 08, 2020Susan Spiegel
New studies show that a commercial vaccine for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) cross-protects against isolates from the three major subtypes of the virus found in Europe.
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.
Study demonstrates farm-to-fork benefits of immunological estrus suppression in market gilts
Aug 14, 2020Susan Spiegel
A new study reveals that market gilts grow better and produce more meat that is more palatable to consumers when treated with a vaccine that temporarily delays puberty.
What we learned from PED applies to COVID-19
Jun 08, 2020Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians and producers may feel déjà vu when they hear about the COVID-19 epidemic in the US.
Watch your Strep: Keep your guard up for this evolving bacterium
May 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Few things remain the same for long on a hog farm. By the very nature of today’s production system, pigs are continuously moving on or off a site. One thing that remains constant is Strep suis.
Diagnostics, Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Inadequate iron supplements cause subclinical anemia in weaned pigs
May 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
The standard 200 mg iron shot for baby pigs at processing may not be enough iron to last until weaning.
Finding opportunities to improve pig health during these challenging times
May 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service
Comparing PCV2 gilt vaccination protocols and progeny status
May 13, 2020Susan Spiegel
Porcine circovirus type 2 is the principal etiological agent of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), which can cost producers an estimated $3 to $4 per pig.
Free booklet offers insights on responsible, effective antimicrobial use in swine
May 12, 2020Susan Spiegel
Antibiotics remain essential tools for maintaining high levels of herd health and welfare, but veterinarians and producers must use them responsibly.
Automatic foggers fall short in disinfecting hog-farm supplies
May 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Preventing fomites from carrying pathogens into hog farms is a daily biosecurity priority, but how effective are typical disinfection protocols?
Gebhart: Cracking the Strep suis code
May 06, 2020Susan Spiegel
Streptococcus suis (Strep suis) is becoming more prevalent and more complex in US swine herds. The coccoid-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium is also a zoonotic disease, capable of transmission from...
Moving pig health to the back burner — if only for a moment
May 04, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Vet Services, Greensburg, Indiana
Chimera technology offers better path to protection for PCV2
Apr 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 6: When PCV2 first became a problem in US swine herds, scientists looked at taking the immunogenic capsid gene from PCV2 and cloning it into the backbone of nonpathogenic PCV type...
Study compares PRRSV antibody-sampling options for sows
Apr 24, 2020Susan Spiegel
When it comes to porcine reproductive and respiratory virus it’s important for the veterinarian and farm personnel to know the health status of a herd or barn.
Batch farrowing makes a comeback on small- to medium-sized sow farms
Apr 22, 2020Susan Spiegel
The practice of farrowing sows in groups and not continuously is making a reappearance as small- to medium-sized sow farms seek ways to stay competitive.
How stress hammers a pig’s intestinal system
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Experts say some forms of sustained stress can weaken a pig’s immune system and make it more vulnerable to disease and performance losses.
Five ways to maintain pig growth in summer without ractopamine
Apr 01, 2020Susan Spiegel
The summer months can be difficult for pigs — and producers. Pigs typically don’t grow as fast and feed efficiency often takes a hit. Much of the downturn is linked to heat stress, which costs US...
Diagnostic experts: PCV3 is common in US swine herds
Apr 01, 2020Susan Spiegel
PCV3 was first reported in 2016, but appears to have been present in swine populations decades prior to that time. PCV3 strains are similar to one another but are very different from PCV2.
Moving parts: Integrated, holistic approach needed for effective mycoplasma control
Mar 30, 2020Susan Spiegel
Renewed interest in M. hyo and its impact on herd health and performance has prompted producers and veterinarians to re-evaluate control strategies for the costly bacterial disease.
Deadly swine-disease outbreak at buying station triggers search for mystery pathogen
Mar 25, 2020Susan Spiegel
When a call came in last September reporting very high, unexplained sow mortalities, Daniel Gascho, DVM, didn’t expect it to be anything unusual, but he found quite the opposite.
Emerging Diseases, FSVS, Global TOPICS, Gut Health, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Swine dysentery makes an unwelcome comeback
Mar 17, 2020Susan Spiegel
Just when US pork producers thought swine dysentery was a problem of the past, it has re-emerged for an unwelcome encore in a slightly different form.
MetaStim®: The best balance of humoral, cellular immunity
Feb 21, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 17: An interview with Dennis Foss, DVM, PhD, Research Director, Zoetis Global Biologicals Swine
8 key factors drive success when raising pigs without antibiotics
Feb 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Producers need to recognize there will always be health challenges when raising pigs without antibiotics. The goal is to resolve those challenges as they arise.
FSVS, Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Deen: Apply old lessons to new technologies
Feb 12, 2020Susan Spiegel
Classical education emphasizes the need for industries to adopt new technologies to keep up with external demands and constantly changing economic environments.
Pollmann: Make the most of your human capital
Feb 06, 2020Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, with enough variables to make even astute, savvy businesspeople cautious. However, one of the biggest components of a successful,...
Lessons learned: How a modern hog farm in Russia recovered from ASF
Jan 22, 2020Susan Spiegel
China’s African swine fever epidemic may offer a grim view of life with the disease. But its neighbor Russia has proven recovery from ASF is possible.
Special Report: What’s behind the surge in sow mortality?
Jan 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Veterinarian says VFD led to more strategic antibiotic use
Jan 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
The Food and Drug Administration’s revised rules for antibiotic use in hogs, including the VFD, has led to a reduction in and more strategic use of antibiotics in swine.
PCV3 is ‘absolutely’ a pathogen but proceed with caution
Dec 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is “absolutely” a pathogen but merely finding the virus isn’t enough to conclude it’s the cause of disease.
Hit delete: Vet says you don’t have to live with mycoplasma
Nov 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
M. hyo is a bacterium that US producers don’t have to live with. Elimination can be successful and cost-effective.
ASF protein discovery offers vaccine development potential
Oct 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Scientists have identified specific proteins in the African swine fever virus (ASF) that could pave the way for development of a vaccine against the deadly disease.
Reading pigs’ emotions could speed up disease treatments
Oct 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Technology which can detect emotion on pigs’ faces could help farmers identify and treat sick animals before illnesses really take hold.
Foreign animal diseases and the line of last resort
Oct 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Veterinary Services, Greensburg, Indiana
Medicating mothers could help limit piglet pain
Oct 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Administering medicine through nursing sows could help improve piglet welfare by limiting the pain they feel during procedures such as teeth clipping and tail docking.
Researchers expand understanding of virus transmission in feed
Oct 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
As African swine fever virus continues to march across the globe, the US pork sector is laser focused on keeping it from reaching the homeland.
Is fogging an M. hyo-elimination option for your swine herd?
Sep 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Paul Yeske, DVM, with the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minn., has seen repeatable success with M. hyo elimination, along with the downstream effect of lower cost of production, better average daily...
Feed, water, air and comfort: Keys to prevent tail biting
Sep 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting in pigs remains something of a mystery. What triggers a pig or pigs to bite tails? Why do some express this vice and others do not?
It’s back: Clinical outbreak of PCV2 in genetic herds reported
Sep 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
A clinical outbreak of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) occurred this past winter in otherwise healthy, well-vaccinated herds, Clayton Johnson, DVM, of Carthage Veterinary Service, told Pig Health...
Processing fluids’ effectiveness in monitoring PCV2 in sow herds
Sep 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccines have provided effective control options for PCV2, but vertical transmission remains a challenge for some farms.
Steps to mitigate cross-contamination of piglet processing fluids with PRRS MLV
Sep 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
As piglets move from the sow farm to the growing stage, it’s important to know their porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) status.
Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Research, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Phase I of pelvic organ prolapse study offers new insights
Aug 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a dramatic, easy-to-identify event within the farrowing room. The difficult part is figuring out the cause and applying a solution.
On the road again? Be careful not to pig out
Aug 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians putting in long days on the road caring for pigs should be just as cognizant of their own health and nutritional needs.
High health herd helps Finnish producers tackle tail biting challenge
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Focusing on running high-health herds and lowering stress levels is helping hog farmers in Finland prevent tail biting in non-docked pigs.
Impact of control options for Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis
Aug 12, 2019Susan Spiegel
Helping piglets make a smooth transition at weaning is always a priority, but bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis can make that goal particularly challenging.
Comprehensive management plan critical to piglet survival
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
Having a clear plan in place to manage sows and piglets before, during and after farrowing is critical to increasing piglet survival and maintaining sow health.
Does PRRS influence weaned pigs’ nutritional response?
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
In the past 30 years, the growth and body composition of US market hogs has changed dramatically, but the same cannot be said for dietary vitamin and mineral levels.
A simple scoring system can provide insights into tail biting and lameness
Jul 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting and lameness directly impact the well-being of growing pigs, which in turn impacts their productivity and the farm’s economics.
Resurgence of ‘old’ bacterial diseases in pigs: Why?
Jul 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three bacterial diseases considered under control recently flared up creating new challenges in hog operations. The older diseases include Haemophilus parasuis (parasuis), Streptococcus suis (strep)...
Data show filtered farms break less often with PRRS
Jul 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
Nine years of data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project show farms with air-filtering systems have fewer outbreaks of PRRS than farms without filters.
Adequate gilt acclimation helps minimize the PRRSV ‘tax’
Jun 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
Five challenges facing swine veterinarians — and how to address them
Jun 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Today’s swine veterinarians are great multitaskers by necessity, said Deborah Murray, DVM, veterinary services manager, with New Fashion Pork, Jackson, Minnesota, at the 2019 AASV meeting.
Feed-mill biosecurity critical to reducing disease transmission
May 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed and feed ingredients are generating a lot of interest as possible vectors in transmitting swine diseases.
Some aspects of Senecavirus A continue to mystify researchers
May 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
While the spikes of Senecavirus A have plateaued in recent years, researchers in the pork industry are still confounded by the elusive virus and what triggers outbreaks.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Four new tools to boost efficiency
May 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
Between tight margins and constant herd-health challenges, pork producers are always looking for new ways to increase efficiencies and profits while also increasing transparency.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Three cool tools headed to hog farms
May 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
The so-called Internet of Things — that emerging world in which everyday tools like thermostats and doorbells suddenly become indispensable smart devices — is not lost on the pork industry.
Picking your battles is key to biosecurity success
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity is one of those on-farm topics that gets a lot of time and attention, but it can easily fall apart in the day-to-day reality of managing pigs.
Simpler, less costly monitoring methods helping pork industry get a better read on PRRS
May 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Newer testing methods for the PRRS virus are not only simpler and less costly than traditional procedures, they are also helping farms more accurately track the virus through different production...
What to do when emotions run high in a disease break
May 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Any way you look at it, going through a disease break on a farm is difficult. “The pigs are easy; it’s the people that make things difficult.”
Good hygiene key to health and performance in fattening units, scientists find
Apr 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Investing in biosecurity in fattening units could see Europe’s pig sector increase its earnings by billions of Euros a year thanks to improved pig health and growth rates.
Estrus suppression boosts gilt welfare, productivity in Canada
Apr 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Delaying sexual maturity in gilts is helping pig producers in Canada streamline their production systems while improving carcass quality and animal welfare.
Imported feed ingredients: Supplier’s sourcing, biosecurity, shipping vital to product integrity, safety
Apr 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Brian Payne, DVM, technical services veterinarian at Zoetis, recently talked with editors of Pig Health Today about African swine fever (ASF) and the possible risks of importing the virus through...
The changing face of PCV: Virus experts compare notes on evolving pathogen in US swine herds
Apr 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
Clinical disease due to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been dramatically reduced thanks to vaccination, but concern remains about the persistence of PCV2 subclinical infection, even in...
What’s your ‘risk attitude’? The role of human behavior in biosecurity
Apr 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
How human behavior impacts biosecurity decisions is a new frontier that’s critical to producers.
AVMA releases first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals
Apr 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The AVMA has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made.
Dee: Mitigants combined with extended storage time help guard against virus transmission
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed additives that mitigate viruses, combined with extended storage times, could help protect the US pork industry from African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases.
Castration alternative offers faster growth, more quality meat in study
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A novel castration alternative allows male pigs to grow faster and produce more high-quality meat than physically castrated or entire hogs, a new analysis shows.
Understanding feed flow, biosecurity critical in ASF battle
Apr 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry is nervous about African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases entering the country — and for good reason.
Action plan, training keys to humane euthanasia of pigs
Mar 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
A critical part of humane animal care on pig farms is responsible and timely euthanasia. However, identifying individuals for the job, training them and having a plan to carry out the process can...
Webb: FAD outbreak could be financially crippling for US pork industry
Mar 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A single reported incident of a trade-limiting foreign animal disease (FAD) would devastate the US pork industry, perhaps causing billions of dollars in losses.
Animal welfare key to pork producers’ continuous improvement
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Animal well-being is not a new concept and has long been a priority on hog farms. “It’s one of the ethical principles within the industry’s We Care initiative,” said Sherry Webb,...
Strategies to weaken PRRS’ grip on US herds
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
After more than three decades, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains a serious disease threat to swine units in the US.
Whole-herd vaccination critical to long-term PRRS management
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccinating entire herds against PRRS is crucial to ensuring the virus doesn’t become untreatable in the future, says a UK veterinarian.
How FADs have affected foreign markets
Feb 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Since the middle of the 20th century, numerous foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks involving the pork industry have been recorded throughout the world.
Veterinarian sees changes to three high-risk swine diseases
Feb 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three diseases affecting finishing hogs — Senecavirus A, porcine sapelovirus and erysipelas — have undergone changes over the past year that warrant the pork industry’s attention.
Researchers create algorithm to predict PEDV outbreaks
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that could give pig farms advance notice of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreaks.
Finding ‘root of the problem’ key in herds with multiple disease challenges
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
New diagnostic tools have helped the pork industry get a better handle on disease monitoring, but how do you prioritize when multiple pathogens have infected the herd?
Nerem: Shift focus to responsible antibiotic use, not arbitrary reductions
Jan 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Some retailers and foodservice companies are asking for animals that have never received antibiotics (“no antibiotics ever” or NAE), but that request fails to recognize that animals — like...
Tails or testicles: Which are better for PRRSV monitoring?
Jan 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pooled serum samples are a common method to monitor PPRSV in piglets. But this typically involves a limited number of samples, which reduces the sensitivity and makes detection especially challenging...
Parvovirus still poses threat to breeding herd
Dec 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
For as long as anyone can remember, pork producers have vaccinated gilts for parvovirus. Now that outbreaks are rare, is it necessary to vaccinate the entire breeding herd?
Raising pigs without antibiotics? Plan to ‘sweat the small stuff’
Dec 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Follow this rule if you’re raising pigs without antibiotics: “Sweat the small stuff.” That’s the advice from Doug MacDougald, DVM, for any farm that wants to eliminate antibiotics without...
Brenneman: ‘Have conversations about what’s going on at the farm’
Dec 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pork industry needs to do a better job telling its story — particularly about how it is improving, evolving and serving the best interests of consumers, producer Erin Brenneman told Pig Health...
Veterinarians in best position to be ‘ambassadors’ for antimicrobials in pork production
Nov 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Veterinarians can leverage their credibility to help consumers understand the complexity of the decision-making process for antimicrobials used in pork production.
Flies ‘possible route’ of African swine fever spread
Nov 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Flies that have been in contact with swine infected with African swine fever (ASF) could be responsible for spreading the disease between herds.
Ileitis: Is it possible to control in baby pigs without antibiotics?
Nov 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ileitis may be a ubiquitous disease in grow-finish pigs, but with changes in on-farm antibiotic use it could become a new, more common challenge in the nursery period.
Tackling PRRS: Managing outbreaks to limit damage
Oct 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a virus that can take a significant toll on pig producers due to reproductive losses, decreased performance and damaging secondary infections....
Quarantine window for feed ingredients may reduce hog disease risk
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Foreign animal diseases (FAD) are top of mind as the ongoing outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in China, Belgium and elsewhere, have raised the stakes to implement new practices designed to...
Monitor growth restrictions to improve long-term piglet success
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Tracking signs of pre-natal growth restriction in piglets could help producers select sows that are likely to have healthier offspring with lower rates of mortality, scientists say.
Seven tips for fine tuning sow feed efficiency
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Want to know what’s really impacting your bottom line? Get down to slat level, says a sow-management specialist. That’s where the less obvious feed-related factors could be stealing your ROI.
Mass vaccination with modified-live PRRSV vaccine has no significant production impact in stable herds
Oct 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mass vaccination with a modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine has no significant negative impact on production performance in PRRSV-stable breeding herds,...
African Swine Fever could cost assorted industries billions of dollars
Oct 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
If the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus enters the United States, the repercussions will be felt throughout the agriculture sector and beyond.
Locking out PDCOV requires attention to biosecurity detail
Oct 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine delta coronavirus (PDCOV) may not be as devastating as its relative, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), but the negative impact on production is motivation enough to work to lock it out...
Pavlovic: Today’s PED outbreaks may be mild but still hurt profitability
Sep 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus may not be as devastating to hogs today as it was a few years ago, but it still damages the bottom line, according to Lynn Pavlovic, DVM, Iowa Select Farms.
Enrichment helps reduce sow stress and piglet mortality
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Enriching sow environments during pregnancy can help improve sow welfare and increase piglet survival, scientists say.
Improving welfare leads to higher herd performance
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Measures to improve animal welfare on hog farms can improve — rather than jeopardize — economic performance of herds, scientists have discovered.
3D cameras help limit tail biting in pigs
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
A high-tech system which uses 3D cameras to spot tail movements in pigs could soon help farmers identify the early signs of tail biting, scientists in the UK have discovered.
Connor: Managing mycoplasma requires integrated approach with vaccines, feed medications, injectables
Sep 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mycoplasma pneumonia continues to trouble the swine industry. Around for years, the respiratory disease caused by the bacterium M. hyo reduces pig performance, especially when mixed with other...
Dipsticks offer early warning of sow urinary-tract infections
Sep 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
Minimizing urinary-tract infections is an important step — not only in securing a sow’s overall health but also its productivity and, ultimately, its longevity.
Non-thermal plasma reactors can inactivate PRRSV
Aug 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
Hog-farm biosecurity measures have largely focused on minimizing the transmission of infectious agents on various surfaces. However, it’s been shown that PRRSV — and possibly other respiratory...
Close to the finish: How grower pigs spread PRRS to sow farms
Aug 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
It’s time to consider the role finishing pigs play in the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to sow farms, according to Montserrat Torremorell, DVM, PhD,...
‘We’ve almost forgotten that boars just perform better’
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ever since Larry Rueff, DVM, a swine veterinarian from Greensburg, IN, stopped physically castrating some of his pigs 4 years ago, and started using a protein compound that works like an immunization...
Training staff to spot sick pigs early leads to higher performance, lower mortality
Aug 03, 2018PGT Editor
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, 2018Susan Spiegel
At the center of any biosecurity program is the goal of preventing pathogens or diseases from entering and infecting a swine herd. Perhaps no disease has challenged producers and veterinarians as...
Maximizing housing rates has no welfare impact, scientists find
Jul 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Housing pigs at Europe’s maximum stocking rates has no impact on their welfare or performance, scientists in the UK have discovered.
SHIC PCR catalog boosts US pork industry’s disease preparedness
Jul 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pork producers and swine veterinarians spend a lot of time and energy monitoring the health status of pigs in their care. But it’s the unknown or emerging diseases that could pose an even larger...
PCR falls short in monitoring PRRSV transport biosecurity
Jul 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Transport biosecurity is a growing priority as evidence shows that contaminated livestock trailers are a significant risk in spreading viruses between herds.
Pay more attention to your sow herd’s lifeline
Jul 13, 2018Susan Spiegel
By William R. Fombelle, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD
Carthage, Illinois
Don’t get complacent with evolving PCV2 virus
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Vaccines for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) currently do an adequate job of cross protecting against new genotypes of the virus, but swine veterinarians and producers shouldn’t let their guard...
Immunocastrated pigs eat less, convert more efficiently, so what’s holding them back in the US?
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Imagine a corn field twice the size of Chicago. That’s what the pork industry could potentially save annually if it adopted an alternative to conventional castration. With about 55 million male...
Antibiotic use at weaning can reduce acute illness in pigs
Jul 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
The transition into the nursery phase for just-weaned pigs presents many challenges as they adapt to a new diet, a new environment and increased competition. Young pigs often need some extra help.
Denmark to build fence to keep out African swine fever
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
Danish officials have announced plans to build a 44-mile fence on its border with Germany to prevent African swine fever from reaching the country’s pig herd.
Tackling PRRS: Managing outbreaks to limit damage
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
According to a new guide on PRRS management, understanding how to manage the costly disease can help improve pig health and welfare, while increasing productivity.
Measuring success and changing behaviors to reduce antibiotics use on hog farms
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Georgina Crayford, PhD
Senior Policy Advisor
National Pig Association, UK
Two tactics to reduce stillborns and improve piglet survival
Jun 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Two midwestern sow operations recently discussed how each achieves high piglet-survival rates by using different techniques to attend farrowing.
Adjusting swine feed rations helps ensure weight gains during hot weather
Jun 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
As temperature and humidity levels rise in the summer months, so does the threat of heat stress in the swine herd.
Three-phase plan helps seize control of PRRS
Jun 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Jose Angulo, DVM
Managing Veterinarian, PRRS specialist
Pork Technical Services
Zoetis
Rapid Response Corps poised to investigate transboundary swine disease outbreaks
Jun 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry learned a big lesson after the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak in 2013.
Barn location can impact PRRS exposure risk
May 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Several factors go into selecting a site for a pork-production unit, but research shows there are a couple more — specifically, terrain and vegetation — that may influence exposure to the porcine...
Retailers setting their sights on pain management in pig production
May 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Although antibiotics and sow housing have remained center stage in recent years, retailers are increasingly putting pressure on producers to address pain management as part of their...
Cull sow market breeding ground for disease transmission
Apr 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
Many sows sold into the cull sow market become “frequent travelers” and pose a serious risk of disease transmission if a foreign animal-disease (FAD) outbreak occurs.
Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project underscores value of information sharing
Apr 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Collaboration among veterinarians working with different pork producers is one of the great benefits emanating from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP).
What have we learned about antibiotic-resistant genes in groundwater?
Apr 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
Swine manure is a valuable resource for cropland, but understanding its potential impact on groundwater is an ongoing priority.
What’s driving the surge in sow mortality?
Apr 13, 2018Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality in US herds has trended upward in recent years, and identifying the reasons has frustrated producers and veterinarians alike.
Breeding sows without CD163 gene might ultimately eliminate PRRS virus
Apr 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Sows without the CD163 gene are not only resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, they also give birth to healthy, normal piglets — a finding that could...
Batch farrowing offers smaller sow farms improved disease control
Apr 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
Independent sow farms grouped together and using batch farrowing may be able to capture the same health advantages as a 5,000-sow farm with all-in, all-out production.
The cost of being wrong: Why cost-benefit analyses are replacing guesswork on swine farms
Mar 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM
Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Ames, Iowa
Swift identification key to keeping emerging diseases at bay
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Encouraging farm staff to identify changes in pig behavior and health is key to spotting signs of disease before it takes hold in a herd, according one of Canada’s top pig veterinarians.
‘Don’t blame antibiotics use on production systems,’ says UK pig sector
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
The UK pig sector has warned campaigners against oversimplifying the link between production systems and antibiotics use.
Is colostrum the ‘golden ticket’ to driving down antibiotic use?
Mar 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
UK swine farmers are being urged to recognize the value of giving newborn pigs good-quality colostrum as part of industry efforts to drive down antibiotics use.
The eve of disruption: How changes in retail and consumer trends might affect pork consumption—and production
Mar 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
In this special report, Pig Health Today looks at disruptions in the consumer and retail landscapes and how they could forever change the US pork industry and the way pigs are raised.
Pig feed reminder over African Swine Fever concerns
Mar 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
UK pig keepers are being reminded to avoid feeding animals food waste and check their biosecurity measures to help prevent outbreaks of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF).
US pork industry’s first vaccine with two PCV2 genotypes announced at AASV
Mar 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry’s first vaccine to include two genotypes of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) — 2a and 2b — was announced on the first day of the American Association of Swine...
Antibiotic-free production: What lessons can pork learn from poultry?
Feb 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
A rapid increase in the use of vaccines for respiratory and enteric diseases in swine over the past year will ultimately allow a reduction in antibiotic use, predicted Joe Connor, DVM, swine...
Steps to keep the incidence of stillborns at bay
Feb 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
by Megan Schnur, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Carthage, Illinois
Minimise weaning stress to maximise piglet performance
Jan 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Minimising the amount of stress piglets go through can help limit health issues and growth checks associated with weaning, according to a pig health specialist.
Pig care, disease prevention are top goals for this vet
Jan 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
In a video produced as part of the Vets on Call series, Dr. Paul Ruen explains that pigs are social creatures who like to be in groups.
Europe bans zinc oxide in pig feed
Jan 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Europe’s farmers have been given five years to phase out the use of zinc oxide in pig feed.
Nutrition key to increasing sow productivity
Jan 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Greater focus on sow nutrition can help swine producers drastically improve productivity and longevity across their herd, according to one of Canada’s senior nutritionists.
Pork producers need to proactively communicate with consumers to change the dialogue
Jan 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
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...
New claim provides flexible dosing for M. hyo medication
Jan 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pork producers battling swine respiratory disease associated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) now have more flexibility when using Lincomix® (lincomycin hydrochloride) Type A medicated...
New antibiotics targets announced for UK pig sector
Dec 28, 2017Susan Spiegel
UK pig produers are working to meet ambitious new targets to further reduce antibiotic use in the industry.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome control in Asia
Dec 27, 2017Susan Spiegel
by Marlon L. Linatoc Regional Technical Manager Swine Asia-Pacific and Greater China, Zoetis Inc. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) continues to be one of the most...
Boar stud requires high health status, zero tolerance for biosecurity errors
Dec 21, 2017Susan Spiegel
A boar stud producing semen for thousands of sows needs to maintain excellent health with the highest level of biosecurity possible.
Air-cleaning technology could slash respiratory disease risk
Dec 05, 2017Susan Spiegel
A technology that reduces dust, germs and gasses from the air in pig sheds could help cut the number of pigs that develop lesions associated with respiratory disease.
Build up winter housing defenses to ward off disease
Dec 05, 2017PGT Editor
Optimizing pig sheds is vital for maintaining herd health, but in the winter months, getting the environment right is especially important in warding off illness.
Practicing precision animal health
Dec 05, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Secure Pork Supply plan: Beginning steps to safeguard your herd
Nov 20, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
SHIC matrix weighs the impact of emerging swine diseases
Oct 25, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Livestock farming standards to get boost under antimicrobial-resistance plan
Sep 17, 2017Susan Spiegel
The European Commission has unveiled plans to promote better global livestock farming standards in a bid to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and humans.
UK producers urged to up biosecurity in face of African swine fever risk
Sep 17, 2017Susan Spiegel
UK pig producers need to put robust disease control measures in place to protect the industry from the risk of African swine fever (ASF), according to an industry body.
Pig producers on guard after discovery of drug-resistant coccidiosis
Sep 17, 2017Susan Spiegel
Microbiologists are warning European pig producers to monitor the success of coccidiosis treatment toltrazuril after discovering the first signs of resistance to the drug.
‘Shaking pig syndrome’ identified on Austrian farm
Sep 05, 2017Susan Spiegel
Scientists in Austria have identified a virus that causes a congenital tremor in piglets and can result in heavy losses to infected litters.
Scientists aim to breed out sow aggression
Aug 25, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Biosecurity must-haves for swine veterinarians
Aug 14, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Survey identifies gaps in employee biosecurity practices
Aug 03, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Prevent the spread of disease by properly cleaning water lines
Jun 21, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
Paying closer attention to both sow live weight and back-fat depth could help farmers improve reproductive performance in breeding herds, scientists report.
Scotland’s pig producers back innovative disease control scheme
Jun 21, 2017Susan Spiegel
Almost all of Scotland’s commercial pig producers have signed a special charter committing to work together to control the spread of disease.
Keep opportunistic bacterial challenges in pigs at bay
Jun 20, 2017Susan Spiegel
Bacterial challenges facing pigs can be traced back to other shortfalls that weaken their immune system.
Routes of Senecavirus A transmission identified in breeding herds
Jun 20, 2017Susan Spiegel
A study of the way swine breeding herds were likely infected with Senecavirus A (SVA) underscores the importance of encouraging adherence to biosecurity procedures.
Colostrum may be best sample for PCV2 on sow farms
Jun 20, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Study piglet behavior to improve chances of early survival
Jun 14, 2017Susan Spiegel
Encouraging farm staff to study piglets’ movement after farrowing could help them better identify weak animals, take action and improve early survival odds, scientists say.
Formula sheds light on disease risk
Jun 10, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Pig Health Today website now online, offering ‘all health, all the time’
Jun 06, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
UK pig sector sets new targets for critically important antibiotics use
May 31, 2017Susan Spiegel
UK pig producers are being asked to reduce their use of certain “critically important” antibiotics under new guidelines adopted by the sector’s independent agency promoting responsible medicine...
Flushing feed mill with treated rice hulls reduces PEDV risk
May 30, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Oropharyngeal swabs offer alternative for PRRSV diagnosis in wean-age pigs
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Canada making progress in PED eradication
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
The Canadian pork industry is focused on eradicating Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea from the country, officials say.
Three-step approach for spotting sick sows
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
A three-pronged approach to observing sows can help identify illness, lower mortality and increase productivity, according to a leading vet.
Nutrition key to reproductive performance of hyper-prolific sows
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
Finding ways to boost feed intake in hyper-prolific sows is key to ensuring they continue to meet their lifetime reproductive potential.
Breeding productivity provides clues about herd health
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
Taking a systematic approach to identifying changes in pig productivity could help limit the economic impact of infectious disease, according to scientists.
Joint initiative aims to drive Canada’s pig welfare efforts
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
A joint government and industry initiative is helping drive Canadian pig producer’s efforts to improve animal welfare standards on their farms.
Consumer communication top priority for Canada’s pig producers
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
Improving communication with the public and the media must become a top priority for Canada’s pork industry, an industry expert has said.
Understanding animal behavior helps ensure better piglet care
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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.
Boar taint vaccination: Plus points for an ‘entire’ market
May 18, 2017PGT Editor
For years, Britain has boasted some of the world’s highest standards of pig welfare. But as continental Europe moves to ban surgical castration, the UK’s “castration-free” status may no...
Commonly used disinfectants can vary widely in efficacy
May 18, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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, 2017Susan Spiegel
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...
Four strategies for managing piglet diarrhea
May 02, 2017PGT Editor
Nutrition, commercial vaccines, good hygiene and immunity of piglets through colostral transfer are four key strategies in managing piglet neonatal and peri-weaning diarrhea.
Italian meat company balances tradition, quality with need for greater sustainability
May 01, 2017PGT Editor
A century-old salumi maker says sustainable and welfare-friendly processes are key to keeping its traditional products relevant to today’s consumers.
Management scheme aims to limit piglet deaths linked to blood poisoning
Dec 20, 2016PGT Editor
Danish pig producers are being encouraged to reassess their herd health management after it emerged that blood poisoning from routine operations was a significant cause of piglet mortality.
Boar-taint vaccination associated with less male aggression in Australian study
Dec 15, 2016PGT Editor
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.
Be prepared for surgical castration and tail docking ban, EU producers told
Nov 29, 2016PGT Editor
Europe’s pig producers should prepare themselves for an eventual ban on surgical castration and tail docking across the continent, according to a leading industry expert.
Enriched pens linked to less gestational stress, lower piglet mortality
Sep 28, 2016PGT Editor
Housing sows in enriched pens can reduce stress and have a positive impact on the development and survival rate of piglets, according to scientists.
Bigger not always better in quest for sustainable pork
Sep 26, 2016PGT Editor
Striving to produce heavier pigs is not necessarily the answer to increasing pig productivity and farm profitability, an expert in pig genetics has warned.
Benefits of castration alternative presented at global pig-health event
Sep 13, 2016PGT Editor
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.
French pork producer focuses on sustainability to meet evolving consumer demands
Mar 15, 2016PGT Editor
In a country world-famous for its food, a small French pig producer’s strategy for meeting consistently high standards of quality, welfare and nutrition has earned it a spot on the map.
