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Canada develops plan to market hogs during ASF outbreak
Feb 01, 2022Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Canada develops plan to market hogs during ASF outbreak
Efforts are underway in Canada to develop an ASF-Free Compartments strategy allowing farms to market hogs in the event of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.
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Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, TOP NEWS, Videos
Start with the gilt-development unit for Mhp elimination
Jan 20, 2022Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Start with the gilt-development unit for Mhp elimination
US pig producers have made a big push to eliminate Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) from their herds as a way to capture more value in finishing pigs.
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Johnson: Make your farm a biosecurity fortress
Dec 21, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Johnson: Make your farm a biosecurity fortress
From the person doing the power washing to the owner of the farm business, everyone involved in a pork-production system plays a vital role in keeping the operation safe and secure.
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Managing Strep suis in commercial pig production
Dec 03, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Managing Strep suis in commercial pig production
Most, if not all, pigs harbor some strains of Strep suis. Lately, challenges by the bacteria appear to be on the rise, but that could be interpreted as a positive.
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3 steps to prepare your herd for influenza season
Oct 01, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on 3 steps to prepare your herd for influenza season
Pigs can contract influenza anytime during the year but more influenza circulates in the fall and winter months. That’s why producers should prepare ahead of the traditional flu season.
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Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Research, TOP NEWS, Videos
New approaches to influenza control look promising
Sep 11, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on New approaches to influenza control look promising
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...
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Diagnostics, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Pig Welfare, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Early identification critical in preventing sow lameness
Aug 19, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Early identification critical in preventing sow lameness
Sow lameness continues to trouble hog operations in the US, causing high numbers of involuntary removals from herds.
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FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Water: An often-overlooked factor in pig health
Aug 09, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Water: An often-overlooked factor in pig health
Water doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it is abundant, easy to access and inexpensive, but that will change in the future, said John Patience, PhD, professor at Iowa State University.
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Tools for managing pigs without antibiotics
Aug 04, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Tools for managing pigs without antibiotics
Raising pigs without antibiotics requires extra management and different tools compared to traditional commercial hog production.
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Reducing PRRS outbreaks by using air filtration: What you need to know
Jul 20, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Reducing PRRS outbreaks by using air filtration: What you need to know
Jeff Feder, DVM, with Swine Vet Center, has spent 15 years fine-tuning filtration systems in client hog barns. Today, Feder has records to prove air filtration does reduce outbreaks of disease like...
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Pig Welfare, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Combat seasonal infertility with strong husbandry
Jun 02, 2021Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Combat seasonal infertility with strong husbandry
Seasonal infertility continues to be a widespread problem for sow herds across the US. And if you don’t have a problem with seasonal infertility, it may mean you are not recognizing it.
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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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Diagnostics, Emerging Diseases, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
From veterinarian to forensic detective: Solving a mysterious swine disease
Nov 20, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on From veterinarian to forensic detective: Solving a mysterious swine disease
In fall 2019, a client called Four Star Veterinary Service clinic in Mexico, IN, and reported the loss of a lot of sows. Daniel Gascho, DVM, had several ideas of what could cause the sow mortalities....
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Client stress key factor in swine health programs
Nov 02, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Client stress key factor in swine health programs
While their schooling focused on pigs, veterinarians on the job spend a lot of time working with clients and members of their staff.
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Three ways to assess your herd’s ‘positive welfare state’
Oct 30, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Three ways to assess your herd’s ‘positive welfare state’
The “Five Freedoms” have been the foundation for establishing sound animal welfare practices since they were developed in 1965. Now, more than 50 years later, researchers have additional tools...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Raising pigs without antibiotics offers niche market but with limitations
Oct 14, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Raising pigs without antibiotics offers niche market but with limitations
Markets for pork produced without antibiotics continue to grow. But this method of production is not for every farm.
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Biosecurity, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Research, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Decontamination protocols fail to disinfect incoming hog supplies
Oct 11, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Decontamination protocols fail to disinfect incoming hog supplies
Biosecurity protocols are critical to keeping the US hog herd healthy, and one of the regular tasks is to disinfect a wide range of supplies entering the farm, but how effective are those protocols?
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Pork industry makes progress on pain management
Sep 20, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Pork industry makes progress on pain management
Pain management for pigs has always been a challenge, partly because it’s difficult to measure levels of pain and partly because there are no FDA-approved drugs labeled for pain management in pigs.
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‘Controlled colonization’ builds immune response to bacterial pathogens
Aug 03, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on ‘Controlled colonization’ builds immune response to bacterial pathogens
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.
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FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Addressing ‘unknown factors’ in sow mortality
Aug 01, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Addressing ‘unknown factors’ in sow mortality
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.
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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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Grow-finish mortalities require fast action followed by prevention plan
Mar 16, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Grow-finish mortalities require fast action followed by prevention plan
Nothing grabs the attention of a grow-finish unit and its veterinarian faster than an uptick in mortalities.
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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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Deen: Apply old lessons to new technologies
Feb 12, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Deen: Apply old lessons to new technologies
Classical education emphasizes the need for industries to adopt new technologies to keep up with external demands and constantly changing economic environments.
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Connor: Disease elimination can lower the cost of production
Feb 05, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Connor: Disease elimination can lower the cost of production
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.
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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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Special Report: What’s behind the surge in sow mortality?
Jan 20, 2020Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Special Report: What’s behind the surge in sow mortality?
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...
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Comprehensive, data-driven approach to lower wean-finish mortality
Dec 23, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Comprehensive, data-driven approach to lower wean-finish mortality
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...
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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, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Fogging helps establish Day 0 for M. hyo elimination
Maintaining a healthy herd takes time, energy and constant emphasis on biosecurity, Amy Maschhoff, DVM, told Pig Health Today.
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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, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Sow pads show promise for reducing shoulder sores, related infections
During farrowing and lactation, sows can easily develop shoulder sores, which in turn become infected. Could a little padding help?
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Feed, water, air and comfort: Keys to prevent tail biting
Sep 26, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Feed, water, air and comfort: Keys to prevent tail biting
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?
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Carthage swine veterinarian: Focus on individual pig care can benefit entire production system
Aug 30, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Carthage swine veterinarian: Focus on individual pig care can benefit entire production system
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.
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Global TOP NEWS, Gut Health, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Pipestone nutritionist highlights advancements to improve pig health
Aug 29, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Pipestone nutritionist highlights advancements to improve pig health
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...
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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, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Phase I of pelvic organ prolapse study offers new insights
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.
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Smithfield veterinarian aims to connect dots on animal welfare
Aug 14, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Smithfield veterinarian aims to connect dots on animal welfare
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...
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Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Aug 13, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Encouraging staff to have more direct involvement with managing and handling sows can have positive impacts on herd welfare and mortality rates, say scientists.
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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, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Davies: Focus on optimizing antibiotic use, not volume
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?
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Biosecurity, Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Picking your battles is key to biosecurity success
May 13, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Picking your battles is key to biosecurity success
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.
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Reducing stress can aid pig health, performance
May 02, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Reducing stress can aid pig health, performance
Pigs can get stressed, just like people, and the impact can be just as serious.
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Multiple infections? It’s important to get to the root cause
Apr 08, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Multiple infections? It’s important to get to the root cause
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.
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Action plan, training keys to humane euthanasia of pigs
Mar 27, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Action plan, training keys to humane euthanasia of pigs
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...
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
Mar 25, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
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.
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Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
Feb 27, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
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...
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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, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Nerem: Shift focus to responsible antibiotic use, not arbitrary reductions
Jan 16, 2019Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Nerem: Shift focus to responsible antibiotic use, not arbitrary reductions
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...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Tyson VP: ‘Antibiotic issue is far from black and white’
Dec 19, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Tyson VP: ‘Antibiotic issue is far from black and white’
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...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Pork industry needs to balance animal well-being with antibiotic pressures
Dec 05, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Pork industry needs to balance animal well-being with antibiotic pressures
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...
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Scientist ‘pops the hood’ on US pork industry’s newest vaccine for PCV2
Nov 28, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Scientist ‘pops the hood’ on US pork industry’s newest vaccine for PCV2
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
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Good nutrition, management can’t replace antibiotics, but they can help reduce the need
Nov 26, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Good nutrition, management can’t replace antibiotics, but they can help reduce the need
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.
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See it, do it, teach it: Veterinarian offers tips for caregiver training
Nov 05, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on See it, do it, teach it: Veterinarian offers tips for caregiver training
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...
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Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
Oct 11, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
What’s old is new again — or at least that’s what some high-health herds are finding with Streptococcus suis (Strep suis).
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2018 Leman Conference features ‘science-based solutions’ for pork production
Jul 12, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on 2018 Leman Conference features ‘science-based solutions’ for pork production
Organized by the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the annual 4-day Allen D. Leman Swine Conference offers scientific and practical information on a broad range of swine...
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‘False alarms’ by Seneca Valley virus trigger costly FMD investigations
May 25, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on ‘False alarms’ by Seneca Valley virus trigger costly FMD investigations
A growing number of Seneca Valley virus (SVV) outbreaks wastes the time and money of people who investigate suspected foreign animal-disease outbreaks.
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‘Coopetition’ healthy for pork industry
Apr 09, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on ‘Coopetition’ healthy for pork industry
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,...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Antibiotic stewardship: What can the pork industry learn from human medicine?
Apr 07, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Antibiotic stewardship: What can the pork industry learn from human medicine?
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...
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Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
How close are we to having a Strep suis vaccine for pigs?
Mar 26, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on How close are we to having a Strep suis vaccine for pigs?
Although antibiotics provide a treatment option for Streptococcus suis — a common, widespread bacterium in swine — long-term management hinges on an effective vaccine.
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More planning required for feed medications in new VFD era
Mar 19, 2018Jennifer GrullonComments Off on More planning required for feed medications in new VFD era
Planning, paperwork and prevention are the priorities on hog farms in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD), which came onto the scene in...
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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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Pig care: If there’s something off, don’t try to ‘look him well’
Dec 07, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Pig care: If there’s something off, don’t try to ‘look him well’
Watching pigs may not be glamorous or stimulating, but it’s a responsibility that Bob Blomme, DVM, takes very seriously.
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Practicing precision animal health
Dec 05, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Practicing precision animal health
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...
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Yeske: Provide better pig care — one animal at a time
Nov 26, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Yeske: Provide better pig care — one animal at a time
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.
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Hanor swine vet: Food animals deserve the same care and treatment as pets
Jun 16, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Hanor swine vet: Food animals deserve the same care and treatment as pets
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.
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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.
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Swine vet: Factory-farm concept ‘couldn’t be further from the truth’
May 19, 2017Jennifer GrullonComments Off on Swine vet: Factory-farm concept ‘couldn’t be further from the truth’
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.