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Breeding Herd, Diagnostics, FSVS, Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, PRRS, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Virus persistence challenges PRRS management strategies
Oct 12, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Virus persistence challenges PRRS management strategies
Eliminating porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) from pigs might not yet be possible, but monitoring tools could help refine a herd's PRRSV stability.
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Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Rethinking colostrum management and piglet survivability
Sep 20, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Rethinking colostrum management and piglet survivability
Colostrum is vital to piglet survival but managing intake may benefit from some fresh thinking, according to Kara Stewart, associate professor of animal science at Purdue University.
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Biosecurity, Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Strep suis continuously challenges US herds
Sep 01, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Strep suis continuously challenges US herds
It’s not unrealistic to say that if you checked the nasal cavities or tonsils of any group of pigs, you would find Strep suis. It is on virtually every hog farm.
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Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Connor: Innovation driven by necessity and opportunity
Jun 01, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Connor: Innovation driven by necessity and opportunity
The pork industry has had a tremendous number of innovations over the years, said Joe Connor, DVM. Connor, who serves as a consultant within Carthage Veterinary Services, is a pioneer in pig...
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Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Research, TOPICS, Videos
Inadequate iron supplements lead to subclinical anemia in young pigs
Nov 05, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Inadequate iron supplements lead to subclinical anemia in young pigs
A field trial evaluating iron supplementation for baby pigs found the typical 200 mg iron shot at birth is not enough.
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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, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Inadequate iron supplements cause subclinical anemia in weaned pigs
The standard 200 mg iron shot for baby pigs at processing may not be enough iron to last until weaning.
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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, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Ellis: No magic bullet to reduce pre-wean mortality
Pre-wean mortality has increased over the last 15 years, and it’s a major concern for US pork producers and veterinarians.
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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, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
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.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
Jan 10, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
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.
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Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
Mar 16, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
As influenza viruses evolve, is there a more effective way to manage vaccinations for influenza A virus in swine?
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Managing pain, Strep suis infection in baby pigs critical for welfare
Jan 30, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Managing pain, Strep suis infection in baby pigs critical for welfare
The US pork industry has demonstrated high standards for animal welfare, but there is still much to learn about mitigating pain — not only during processing, but also pain resulting from Strep...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Raising pigs without antibiotics? Plan to ‘sweat the small stuff’
Dec 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Raising pigs without antibiotics? Plan to ‘sweat the small stuff’
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...
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Five ways to get better returns on your swine-health program
Sep 26, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Five ways to get better returns on your swine-health program
The pork industry uses a wide variety of vaccinations and medications for managing viral and bacterial diseases. Micah Jansen, DVM, Zoetis, identifies five areas where producers can improve returns...
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Barn location can impact PRRS exposure risk
May 23, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Barn location can impact PRRS exposure risk
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...
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Yeske: Mycoplasma elimination ‘always a good strategy’
May 17, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Yeske: Mycoplasma elimination ‘always a good strategy’
Eliminating mycoplasma from a herd works well with a fast payback, even in hog-dense areas, according to research conducted by Paul Yeske, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minnesota.
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Maximizing colostrum intake at birth improves finishing performance
May 07, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Maximizing colostrum intake at birth improves finishing performance
The amount of colostrum a piglet consumes during its first 24 hours of life impacts its performance through finishing, according to Jeffery Wiegert, swine specialist, North Carolina State University...
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Part 1: Vaccine storage and handling
Mar 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Part 1: Vaccine storage and handling
A common mistake made with vaccines involves improper handling of the vaccines. From the time the products arrive on the farm until they are used, the vaccines must be properly stored, following...
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Part 2: Selecting and training caregivers for effective vaccination
Mar 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Part 2: Selecting and training caregivers for effective vaccination
A common mistake made with vaccines involves improper handling of the vaccines. From the time the products arrive on the farm until they are used, the vaccines must be properly stored, following...
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Part 3: Vaccine training more important as pork industry rethinks antibiotics
Mar 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Part 3: Vaccine training more important as pork industry rethinks antibiotics
The new veterinary feed directive rules regarding the use of antibiotics in feed makes the use of vaccinations more important to maintain optimum swine health. If pigs receive proper vaccinations...
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Part 4: Training benefits antibiotic programs, too
Mar 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Part 4: Training benefits antibiotic programs, too
A well-trained caregiver becomes the first line of defense against disease in a hog unit. If they are trained to recognize the first signs of disease in pig units, they can alert management...
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Part 5: Feed medications still play an important role in swine health
Mar 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Part 5: Feed medications still play an important role in swine health
Veterinarians know the history of disease that may pop up within different hog systems. Depending on the situation, they may decide that a feed antibiotic is the best route to treat the pigs.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, TOP NEWS, Videos
How long do mycoplasma-negative herds stay negative?
Feb 19, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on How long do mycoplasma-negative herds stay negative?
Most hog farms successfully stamp out mycoplasma pneumonia when they work with their veterinarian to eliminate the disease. The challenge is preventing reinfection.
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Pig care, disease prevention are top goals for this vet
Jan 25, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Pig care, disease prevention are top goals for this vet
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.
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Gut Health, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
In-feed antibiotics best addressed on a case-by-case basis
Jan 15, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on In-feed antibiotics best addressed on a case-by-case basis
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...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Gut Health, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Balancing good and bad bacteria key to effective gut health, nutrient absorption
Dec 28, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Balancing good and bad bacteria key to effective gut health, nutrient absorption
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...
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Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Gut Health, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Getting pigs off to a good start with better gut health
Nov 06, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Getting pigs off to a good start with better gut health
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...
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What you need to know about CSI auditors
Oct 12, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on What you need to know about CSI auditors
Anyone who owns hogs or hog buildings should expect a visit someday by an auditor who will conduct an animal-welfare and food-safety audit. Usually a packer or processor requests the audit, which is...
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Virtual clinic drives better understanding of disease outbreaks
Oct 12, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Virtual clinic drives better understanding of disease outbreaks
A virtual veterinary clinic that monitors pig-disease trends and provides an early alert system for diagnostic laboratories and swine practitioners is helping the US pork industry stay head of...
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So far, so good: Pork producers adjusting well to new VFD rules
Aug 31, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on So far, so good: Pork producers adjusting well to new VFD rules
Implementation of the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) in swine has gone smoothly in the field, according to Chris Rademacher, DVM, Iowa State University Extension.
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Biosecurity, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, PRRS, TOP NEWS, Videos
What’s the best PRRS strategy for your herd?
Aug 07, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on What’s the best PRRS strategy for your herd?
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,...
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Growing Pigs, Gut Health, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, PRRS, Respiratory Health, Videos
Opportunistic pathogens prey on newly weaned pigs infected with a primary virus
May 30, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Opportunistic pathogens prey on newly weaned pigs infected with a primary virus
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,...
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Understanding animal behavior helps ensure better piglet care
May 19, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Understanding animal behavior helps ensure better piglet care
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.
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Vets on Call, Videos
Technology, veterinary care helping to improve pig health, production on Illinois swine farm
May 19, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Technology, veterinary care helping to improve pig health, production on Illinois swine farm
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.