Common mistakes to avoid during PRRS elimination
Dec 17, 2021Susan Spiegel
Eliminating porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus from a breeding herd is not a simple task, and no herd acts exactly like the next, according to Brad Leuwerke, DVM, with Swine...
African swine fever, PRRS among hot topics at 2021 Leman Conference
Aug 31, 2021Susan Spiegel
Organizers are excited to hold the 2021 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in-person as well as virtually, on Sept. 18-21 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Today’s forecast: Scattered PRRS outbreaks with isolated sprinkles of PED
Sep 08, 2020Susan Spiegel
Forecasting swine-disease outbreaks might become a lot like predicting the weather as scientists combine monitoring disease data with computer models.
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.
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.
Veterinarian says both pigs, caregivers suffered in antibiotic-free study
Jan 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
A study looking at how pigs challenged with PRRS performed in an antibiotic-free production setting needed to be stopped for welfare reasons so the pigs could be treated with antibiotics.
17 years of detective work, shared experiences helping pork industry get ahead of PRRS
Nov 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
The evolution of knowledge about PRRS is now enabling pork producers and their veterinarians to make headway combatting this difficult and costly disease.
Processing fluids helping to fine tune diagnostics in swine herds thought to be PRRS-negative
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Collecting aggregate samples of processing fluids during tail docking and castration is proving to be an excellent way to monitor herds for porcine reproductive and respiratory disease (PRRS) virus,...
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.
‘Nuts n’ tails’ fluid testing is promising, practical method of PRRSV monitoring
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
Testing fluids obtained from routine castration and tail-docking procedures looks to be a promising, practical and affordable way to improve monitoring for PRRSV.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
PRRSV in finishers may contribute to the disease on sow farms
Apr 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
It’s time to consider the role finishing pigs play in the spread of PRRSV to sow farms.
Semi-annual report indicates progress combatting PRRSV
Apr 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producers and veterinarians have reduced the impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) by more than $83 million over the past 6 years, according to a semi-annual study...
Pork producers gain ground against PRRS with reduced production losses
Dec 08, 2017Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains one of the most costly viruses infecting US herds. But an Iowa State University study showed the annual cost of PRRS dropped nearly $100...
Lessons learned from PRRS outbreak investigations
Nov 10, 2017Susan Spiegel
By Derald Holtkamp, MS, DVM,
Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, Iowa
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.
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...
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,...
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.
Opportunistic pathogens prey on newly weaned pigs infected with a primary virus
May 30, 2017Susan Spiegel
Around 50% of pigs weaned today likely are infected with a primary viral pathogen, like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) or swine influenza, reported Cameron Schmitt, DVM,...
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...
Time to reboot disease surveillance
May 19, 2017Susan Spiegel
US pork production has gone through dramatic changes over recent decades, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the challenge that infectious disease presents. Swine veterinarians, researchers and...
Oral fluids offer practical on-farm disease surveillance
May 18, 2017Susan Spiegel
Monitoring the spread of a pathogen is one part of disease surveillance. But early identification is another part — arguably with growing importance as millions of pigs move across state lines each...
Scientists to study true costs of PRRS to US hog farmers
May 18, 2017Susan Spiegel
The true costs of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) to US pig farms is set to be investigated by scientists looking at the effects of the disease on the country’s pork
It’s cold outside. Have you PRRS-proofed your herds?
May 02, 2017PGT Editor
Cold weather means closer confinement and a greater risk of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). A leading PRRS expert recommends ways to keep this common and costly disease...
